26 Feb When To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
When filing a personal injury claim, navigating the legal processes can be complex and overwhelming. Attempting to reach a settlement with insurance companies can be equally stressful. Whether you were involved in a slip-and-fall accident or car accident, experienced medical malpractice, or sustained injuries due to the negligence of another, knowing when to hire a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento is vital to ensure you get a fair and just settlement.
If you have been injured in an accident, let Sette Law help you now.
When Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
There are several situations when you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney, including:
- When liability is disputed: Sometimes, the responsible party or their insurance company will dispute liability or deny being at fault for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help gather evidence to support your claim and build a strong case to prove negligence.
- When multiple parties are involved: In cases where there can be more than one party at fault, filing an injury claim becomes more complex and requires professional legal assistance
- When a government entity is involved: There are unique laws regarding when and how you can file an injury claim against a government entity. Additionally, there are specific timelines and processes that must be followed. As such, it is vital to get help from an attorney.
- When the insurance company is blaming you for your injuries: Insurance companies use tactics to attempt to make you look at fault or partially at fault to either deny your claim or reduce your compensation. Getting help from a personal injury attorney protects your legal rights and increases your chances of receiving full compensation.
- When you suffer serious injuries: Serious injuries can have long-term consequences, such as not being able to work or requiring at-home health care. Ensuring you receive compensation for these long-term damages is much easier when you have a lawyer representing your interests.
- The offer you get from the insurance company doesn’t cover your medical bills and other losses: Insurance companies will always attempt to make the lowest settlement offer possible. This can leave you short on covering all your losses. With assistance from an attorney, you can easily avoid this situation as they know how to deal with insurance companies.
Why Delaying Hiring Of A Personal Injury Lawyer May Hurt You
Delaying the hiring of a Sacramento personal injury lawyer could potentially harm your case and limit your chances of obtaining fair compensation. Time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury claims, as evidence may disappear, memories can fade, and statutes of limitations might expire.
Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for lower amounts than you deserve. They use various tricks and tactics to make it appear they are making a good offer when, in fact, you are actually entitled to a much higher settlement. Without legal representation, you may unknowingly accept a low settlement offer. Once you do, you have no future recourse against the insurance company or the responsible party.
Additionally, insurance companies and insurance adjusters will appear to be on your side to put you at ease. This tactic is used to attempt to get you to say something they can later use against you to reduce or even deny your claim. Not consulting with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible could hurt your claim and even prevent you from getting a fair settlement.
Furthermore, insurance companies often want to settle claims as quickly as possible for the least amount of money. By using this trick, they can get out of paying you what you actually deserve.
By consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento early on in the process, you improve your chances of building a strong case supported by compelling evidence while avoiding costly mistakes that could hurt the outcome of your claim.
California Personal Injury Statute Of Limitations
The statute of limitations in California for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. In cases where the injury was not initially discovered, the statute of limitations is one year from the date of discovery. When a government entity caused the injuries, the statute of limitations is only six months from the date of the injury.
How Soon Should I Consult With A Personal Injury Lawyer?
The sooner you are capable of consulting with a personal injury lawyer, the better. Ideally, you should plan on speaking to an attorney after receiving medical treatment, but before speaking with the insurance company. If you have already initiated a claim for your injuries, you should not proceed any further until receiving legal advice.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
The cost to hire a personal injury lawyer is generally nothing upfront. However, that does not mean you do not have to pay your lawyer. In personal injury cases, most attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they work on your case for free and only collect their fee when they reach a suitable settlement or verdict in your favor, should the case proceed to trial. Your attorney will discuss their fees with you during your initial consultation.
If You Have Been Injured In An Accident, Sette Law Is Here To Represent You
After being injured in an accident, you do not have to attempt to navigate the legal processes of filing an injury claim alone. Sette Law in Sacramento is here to help. Our experienced personal injury lawyers fight for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Let our legal team take care of the legal complexities and deal with the insurance company while you focus on healing and recovery.
Schedule your free consultation today with Sacramento’s best injury lawyers, Sette Law.
Sources:
Elements of Negligence. (2023).
Statute of Limitations. (2024).