If you or somebody you care about sustains an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another individual, company, or entity, you should be able to recover compensation for your losses. However, personal injury cases can be challenging, particularly when it comes to standing up to insurance carriers and at-fault parties. Here, we want to discuss the differences between handling a personal injury claim on your own versus working with an attorney to help you through the process.
Making Sure the Case is Filed Correctly
There is no denying that understanding the process of filing a lawsuit can be challenging, particularly for someone who does not have much legal experience. Filing personal injury lawsuits is a routine occurrence for attorneys who specialize in these cases. This is second nature. Whereas an individual who sustains an injury may have to spend weeks researching how to properly word and file a claim, an attorney can do it without a second thought about the complexity.
Additionally, an attorney will understand all of the deadlines put in place by insurance carriers or through the personal injury statute of limitations for Pennsylvania.
Investigating the Incident
Perhaps the most challenging part of a personal injury claim is thoroughly investigating the incident to properly determine liability. Any mistakes during this portion of the personal injury process could result in a victim being shut out from receiving compensation. Insurance carriers and at-fault parties may try to point the finger at the injury victim and say that they caused their own injuries.
Most injury victims do not have the resources necessary to conduct a full investigation into the claim. However, a personal injury lawyer will have extensive resources that they can use to uncover the truth of what happened. They will gather photographs and video surveillance, police reports, safety records, eyewitness statements, and more.
Negotiating With Insurance Carriers
Insurance carriers are notoriously difficult to deal with. They will use various tactics in an effort to avoid having to pay out compensation for these claims. Often, insurance carriers will present notoriously low settlement offers in an effort to get a victim to take the money and be done with the claim. For many injury victims, dealing with insurance carriers can be intimidating. However, a skilled personal injury lawyer will have extensive experience doing this and will be able to handle the back and forth.
Preparing for Trial
In the event the insurance carrier or at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary for an injury victim to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to get the claim into the civil court process. In the process of working up to a personal injury trial, there are various steps involved in these cases. This includes the discovery phase, depositions, possible mediation, and more. Trials are serious, and most individuals do not have the legal experience to get a case this far.
An attorney will be able to fully prepare a case to be heard in front of the trial by jury. An attorney will be able to stand in front of the jury and present all the evidence, and question witnesses in order to help a client recover maximum compensation for their losses.