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Is Hiring an NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Worth It?
After an accident, people often wonder, “Is hiring a personal injury lawyer worth it?” Serious injuries can impact your personal life in so many ways. Whether it’s scheduling time for doctor appointments or missing work, this disruption in life can be challenging to navigate. With so many things to do, you may not think about the fact that you also have a legal issue that must be resolved. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, or other type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can file a compensation claim.
Unfortunately, the insurance company and the negligent party they cover may not want to provide the fair damages you are entitled to. They prioritize their profits over your health and safety. A lawyer will have years of experience, training, and skill and will bring these benefits, and those listed below, to your case. Read on to learn more about what a personal injury lawyer can do for you. Or, if you’re ready to start building your case, contact our team today for a free consultation.
You Will Receive More Compensation
Perhaps the biggest reason to let a personal injury lawyer handle your case is that you will receive more in overall compensation. According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims who were represented by a personal injury attorney received 3.5 times more compensation when lawsuits were settled before trial. Additionally, another study has highlighted the fact that plaintiffs who have legal representation receive awards that are 40 percent larger than when accident victims did not have legal representation.
Most New York City injury attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they will not charge legal fees unless they are successful with your case. If they win your case for you, any legal fees are deducted from the overall damages you receive. The higher damages you receive when working with a lawyer will make it easier to pay legal fees, so it is always worth speaking to an attorney who can advise on your case.
You Can Focus on Your Recovery
There is a lot of legwork that goes into the personal injury claims process. There is a tremendous amount of documents to complete and submit to different parties, and communicating between your doctor, the insurance companies, and liable parties can become very stressful for those not accustomed to these tasks. You will also have to collect all important medical documents and negotiate with the other side. At the same time, you will also have to attend doctor’s appointments and physical therapy, and will likely be in a great deal of pain and suffering.
If you try to move through the physical and mental recovery process and the legal process at the same time, one of them is bound to suffer. It will become too overwhelming, which could negatively impact your legal case or worse, your health. A lawyer will have extensive experience in personal injury law to easily handle the details of your case. A skilled attorney will know how to obtain the full settlement you deserve while you focus solely on recovering from your injuries.
Avoid the Difficulties of Dealing with Insurers
The chances are good that if you were hurt in an accident, you will have to deal with an insurance company at some point. If you are in a car crash, you will have to deal with the insurer covering the at-fault party. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you will have to negotiate with the insurer providing the owner with homeowners’ insurance.
Dealing with insurance companies is never easy. Insurers never want to pay a fair settlement to accident victims. Insurance adjusters and other representatives are focused on retaining as much of the company’s profits as possible, which means paying out very little on accident claims. A lawyer will not allow any insurer to get away with the tactics they use to reduce claims, such as asking for a recorded statement or asking you to sign a medical release.
The other side will also likely have a team of some of the best lawyers to represent them, so you should have an experienced and skilled attorney protecting your best interests. A lawyer will also be able to identify when an insurance company is acting in bad faith and will hold them accountable for their illegal actions. Insurers act in bad faith when they reject a valid claim, delay a claim, or when they refuse to offer a settlement amount that is fair and reasonable for your injuries. When working with a lawyer, insurance companies are far less likely to attempt these acts of bad faith because they know your lawyer will see them for what they are.
An Accurate Valuation of Your Claim
You may assume that because you have a fairly good understanding of your personal injury case, you know how much to claim in damages. Unfortunately, valuing a personal injury case can be complicated. You must take into consideration not only your past and current losses but also any you will incur in the future. A New York personal injury lawyer will know what losses to take into consideration so you can receive the compensation you need. The factors a lawyer will consider include:
- Expenses for current and future medical care
- The physical pain and suffering you endured
- Any loss of income you incurred because you could not return to work right away
- Any loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to the same type of employment in the future
- Any scarring or permanent disfigurement you suffered as a result of the accident
- Any impairment in system or organ function that resulted in a disability
- Any emotional distress you have endured, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
Some of the above losses are easy to calculate and these are known as economic damages. Others, though, are much more difficult. A lawyer will know how to value your claim accurately so you receive the compensation you need.
Our NYC Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
So, is hiring a personal injury lawyer worth it? We hope we helped answer your question! Remember, if you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, our NYC personal injury lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. can provide the sound legal advice you need. Book your free, no-obligation consultation today.