Most accidents occur when you don’t expect them, leaving injuries and a host of unanswered questions. Sometimes you may wonder whether your situation calls for legal help or if you can handle it yourself.
“Some situations are more complicated than they seem, and trying to handle them on your own can cost you a lot of time and money. Knowing when to contact an attorney is essential for protecting your rights,” says Jonathan Harris, attorney at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP – Accident & Injury Attorneys.
Here’s a closer look at when hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential.
Personal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common situations for which people seek legal help in personal injury claims. In the event of an injury caused by another driver’s negligence, an attorney could help untangle the complex liability and insurance issues.
The lawyer can gather evidence such as camera footage, police reports of the incident, or eyewitness accounts to strengthen your case. Without a lawyer, you may accept an amount of money that does not fully cover your damages.
With severe injury cases, there is more at stake. A lawyer can ensure that you are compensated not only for immediate medical bills and continuing costs but also for wages lost and pain and suffering.
Workplace Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Claims
Most work injuries involve legal assistance for denied or undervalued workers’ compensation claims. While such benefits exist to protect employees, the process of a claim may not be easy.
The employer or insurer may argue that the injury was not work-related in nature or question the extent of your current condition. A lawyer can argue against such arguments in support of the benefits you are entitled to.
Third-party liability also occurs in specific work injuries. For example, if you injured yourself because of a defective machine, then you can also file a claim against the manufacturer. A lawyer can consider all avenues for compensation.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Doctors’ carelessness might cause life-altering accidents. Surgical errors, medication administration inaccuracies, or even misdiagnosis may result in injuries that take an extensive period to recover from or, in the worst case, result in permanent damage.
Medical malpractice cases are highly complex in nature and often involve technical details. Such evidence should also connect the injury to the provider’s actions, which, in most cases, requires medical expert testimony.
An experienced malpractice attorney understands the obstacles and difficulties associated with such cases. They can prove your case while fighting for compensation covering the financial, physical, and emotional costs of medical negligence.
Slip and Fall Accidents on Someone Else’s Property
Home and business owners have a responsibility to make their property safe. When they do not, slips on wet floors and falls on broken steps can happen. Slip-and-fall accidents generally lead to fractures and injuries to the head.
In such cases, proving liability may be difficult. Some property owners may claim the hazard was obvious or even assert that you contributed to the fall. The attorney can create evidence, like maintenance records or surveillance footage, that may prove negligence.
Severe slip-and-falls can carry long-term effects. Legal guidance ensures that your medical bills and lost income, plus the long-term effects of the accident, receive compensation.
Product Liability Claims Based on Defective Products
Defective products, many involving everything from faulty car parts to unsafe appliances or harmful medications, produce serious injuries. Under the law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe for use.
Product liability claims hold them responsible in case of failure. The majority of such cases involve design flaws, production errors, or failure to warn against certain risks.
Expert input can allow an accomplished attorney to build a strong case, identifying all those responsible. They may try to get compensation for you that reflects the full extent of your injury, from immediate medical expenses through long-term challenges.
Advocating for Your Rights
Approaching a case of personal injury on your own can be incredibly overwhelming. An attorney can lighten that burden, help you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Focus on your recovery and let a skilled legal advocate do the rest. With someone in your corner, you can move forward confidently, knowing your rights are fully protected.