When you have been involved in a serious accident, it is crucial to not only understand your rights, but to exercise caution when you talk with anyone. You should be able to work with a professional attorney to move forward with getting the settlement you need to heal and recover, although many people don't see it that way.
Choosing a new attorney could be the difference between getting a great settlement and watching possibilities slip out of your fingers. On this blog, learn more about what it means to work with a new lawyer, and how they could help you to start on the road to recovery.
Don't Shortchange Yourself On Your Personal Injury Payout
A personal injury can leave you unable to work or in constant pain. If this sounds like your situation and your injury was caused by someone else, you might have a legal case to pursue. Personal injury law varies by state, but there are still some key takeaways that will apply no matter where you live or work. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to make sure you maximize your payout in your personal injury case.
You Deserve More Than Just Payment for Your Medical Bills
Getting reimbursed for your medical expenses is the obvious first step when pursuing a personal injury case. But there are multiple avenues to pursue here when seeking damages. You could, for example, pursue a payout for emotional trauma. If your personal injury has left you unable to work your job going forward, you could also be entitled to a payout for lost future earnings. Medical documentation for your injuries is obviously important, but don't forget that you might have ongoing medical expenses in the future, as well.
Don't Accept the First Offer
If the company or person responsible for your injury knows that it is their fault and that you have a strong legal case, they might be interested in offering you a settlement. It's fairly common, though, for the first settlement offer to come in quite low in the hopes that you'll just take it and go away. They might offer to reimburse you just for your medical expenses, for example, and not any of the other potential things mentioned above. Remember that you have the right to make a counteroffer. Far too many people think that if they decline a settlement, they will lose a chance to get money. But you can still move forward with a lawsuit if needed, and the other side knows this, so they might be very open to considering your counteroffer.
Don't Do Anything Without an Attorney
Whether you are trying to negotiate a settlement or considering your options for a lawsuit, you need to hire an attorney as early as possible in this process. The other side is very likely to have their own legal counsel, especially if it's a company. Getting an attorney will keep you from being strong-armed or talked into a bad situation at the negotiating table. Find an attorney who knows personal injury law in your state before moving forward.
To learn more, contact a law firm like Forstman & Cutchen LLP.