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If you have been hurt in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions or inactions of another person, you may be able to file an injury claim. If you are successful with your claim, you can recover financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income if you could not go back to work, and more. You are not required to work with a New York City personal injury lawyer when filing your claim. However, having experienced legal representation by your side can help increase the settlement you ultimately receive.

Steps in the New York Injury Claims Process

You will need to take several steps after filing an injury claim in New York City. These are as follows:

• Collect evidence of the accident and the injuries and other losses you sustained as a result
• Accurately calculate the value of your losses, so you know the amount to pursue in a personal injury claim
• Send a demand letter to the negligent party stating that you are filing a lawsuit, the circumstances surrounding your case, and the amount of damages you are seeking
• Negotiating with the insurance company representing the negligent party for a fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit if negotiations are unsuccessful
• Attending mediation sessions
• Take your case to trial, if negotiations and mediation are unsuccessful

Many people are not familiar with the above steps. A lawyer can help you navigate the process so you claim the full damages you deserve.

How a NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Filing a personal injury claim in New York City is an extremely complex process. You only have a limited amount of time to file, and those deadlines will vary depending on the type of injury claim you are filing. There is then a great deal of paperwork to fill out and file, and it is critical that these are filled out properly so you do not sign away your rights. You must also be able to accurately evaluate all of your damages, or losses, so you are not held responsible for paying expenses out of your own pocket now, or in the future.

A New York City personal injury lawyer can help you through the many issues a personal injury claim may present. They will make sure your claim is filed on time and that no mistakes are made that could forfeit the amount of damages you receive. A lawyer will also accurately value your claim so you obtain the full settlement you need to make a full recovery from your injuries. A lawyer will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on getting better.

You Will Receive a Higher Settlement Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many people are unfamiliar with the law and so, when faced with legal issues, they are not sure how to best protect their case. After an accident, many people think that their case is fairly clear-cut and so, they try to handle it on their own. When filing a personal injury claim though, you must prove your case. This is often much more difficult than it may seem. While it may seem obvious to you which negligent party was responsible for the accident, you still need to prove it, and that can pose a challenge.

A lawyer will know how to prove your case. A lawyer will conduct the full investigation that is needed to prove how the accident happened, and will collect evidence to prove your case. They will also know the legal statutes and case law to refer to that will prove your case. Additionally, a lawyer will know to account for your current and future losses, so you recover the full settlement you deserve.

The above steps are very difficult to take on your own if you are not familiar with personal injury law. According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims who work with a lawyer typically recover a settlement that is at least 3.5 times higher than those who filed a claim on their own. The total amount was concluded after the attorney’s fees in the cases studied were deducted. In other words, you are much more likely to receive a higher settlement when working with a lawyer than you could when filing a claim on your own.

A Lawyer Will Go Up Against the Insurance Companies

For those not in the legal industry, it is very difficult to go up against the big insurance companies. These meetings need skillful negotiations, which many people are not accustomed to. Lawyers are skilled negotiators, and they know the strategies insurers use to delay, reduce, and deny the total settlement accident victims receive. Insurance companies will not even try these tactics when an accident victim is represented by an attorney. They know that lawyers are familiar with these tricks, and how to overcome them.

Settlement vs. Trial

The vast majority of personal injury cases end in a settlement out of court. However, there are times when the negligent party, or the insurance company that represents them, refuses to offer a fair settlement. In these cases, it is sometimes necessary to take the case to trial. There are some advantages to accepting a settlement offer rather than going to trial. However, sometimes going to trial is the only way to receive the full compensation you deserve. A lawyer can advise on your case, and which route is best, so you receive the full damages you are entitled to as quickly and easily as possible.

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC will Maximize Your Settlement

It is always recommended that you work with a NYC personal injury lawyer after an accident, but you also need to make sure you are working with the right attorney for your case. At Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., our seasoned attorneys have a long track record of successfully obtaining the fair settlements our clients deserve, and we want to put our expertise to work for you. Call us today at 1-877-ASK4SAM or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.