Every personal injury claimant hopes for a successful claim. However, it's imperative to hire a personal injury attorney to make this a reality.
With that in mind, the attorneys at The Clark Law Office in Michigan have earned their stripes through years of dedicated service to their clients. Their track record of success makes them a go-to choice for claimants involved in an accident or injured due to another party's negligence. Here's a peek at some of the ways these seasoned professionals increase the odds of a favorable outcome:
1. Acting as a Go-Between
Think of a personal injury lawyer as your representative, helping you communicate with the insurer. Such an advocate also acts as a buffer, ensuring your interests remain front and center. For instance, they help you avoid cases in which you might be lured into saying something that could undermine your claim.
Similarly, when dealing with an insurance company, a lawyer helps protect you from attempts to lowball the settlement or deny it. They also save you the hassle of dealing with insurance adjusters, allowing you to focus on recovery.
2. Determining At-fault Parties
The onus is usually upon the claimant to prove that another party is at fault for their injuries and losses. Sometimes, this can be tricky because of conflicting testimonies. Also, multiple parties could be liable for your damages, and identifying them is often easier said than done.
A personal injury lawyer can help establish fault in such cases by gathering evidence. Likewise, they conduct thorough investigations to unearth hard-to-find sources of compensation available through the parties accountable.
They can also determine whether a claimant is partially responsible and to what extent. That way, they minimize the chances of a reduced payout or an unfavorable outcome.
3. Establishing the Value of Your Claim
A successful claim should factor in all the damages you’ve suffered besides those related to medical bills. Case in point, a claimant who suffers a permanent disability that limits their employment opportunities deserves compensation for future lost wages. Likewise, if you need ongoing treatment or therapy, your compensation should factor that in.
Personal injury lawyers are trained to assess all the elements of a claim. These include economic and non-economic damages such as humiliation, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more. To this end, your attorney may hire actuarial experts or other professionals. Thus, you can get a better picture of the compensation you should expect in a settlement.
4. Expediting Resolution
The claims process is often lengthy and tiring. Usually, it entails a lot of paperwork and evidence assessment. This implies a seemingly straightforward claim can result in lots of back and forth with insurers and other parties, leading to delays.
Having a lawyer on your side expedites the process by streamlining communication and evidence gathering. As such, you don’t get stuck waiting months for a settlement.
For time-sensitive matters such as wrongful death claims, you could find yourself on the wrong side of a statute of limitations if you take too long. A lawyer minimizes such risks by helping you meet filing deadlines and other legal requirements.
5. Negotiating A Full and Fair Settlement
Research shows that claimants who go it alone get a much lower settlement than those who partner with a lawyer. Why, you wonder? Well, insurers often use their clout to lowball unrepresented claimants in the hope they’ll accept the offer on the table.
A savvy attorney, however, understands how to play hardball and get you a favorable outcome based on factual information pertaining to your claim. What's more, these battle-hardened representatives have dealt with claims adjusters for years and know the tactics they employ to give paltry offers.
Moreover, an attorney taps into their knowledge base to prepare a comprehensive demand package - if you have a solid or justifiable claim. In so doing, they ensure insurers offer a fair and full settlement lest they face the prospect of going to trial.
Also, an accident might result in multiple claimants. And given that available insurance monies may not be enough to go around, a lawyer can help ensure you get a fair share.
6. Preparing for Court
Should your case go to trial (which occurs in roughly 5% of cases), your go-to personal injury lawyer can help you prepare for the process. For instance, they'll typically prepare the relevant paperwork and handle all communications with the court, thereby lifting the burden of preparing for trial.
They also help build a legal case in your favor to increase the odds of success in court. This might entail gathering relevant evidence, interviewing witnesses, consulting with expert witnesses, reviewing police and hospital reports, and more.
What's more, adherence to court procedures can be tricky for the uninitiated and could thwart your case if ignored. A lawyer handles the legal nitty-gritty so that your claim isn't summarily dismissed for procedural violations.
Personal injury lawyers are the bridge linking claimants to full and fair compensation. In short, they can help you realize a better outcome. If you're planning to file a claim, partner with them from the get-go to increase your chances of success.
