A personal injury may leave you with significant hardships, including stacks of medical bills, pain, suffering and even disability. Because these hardships may be with you for a long time, it is important that you obtain all of the compensation you are entitled to. You don’t want to exhaust your financial resources when you need them the most.
Identifying all liable parties
Who was at fault in your accident? In a motor vehicle accident, the at-fault party is often a careless driver, but a good personal injury lawyer will work to identify all liable parties. An auto manufacturer, a road construction outfit, the government entity that designed the road—one or all of these parties could also be at least partly responsible for your accident injury. By pinpointing the responsible parties, your attorney can help you maximize your sources of compensation.
Taking a long view
How long will your pain, suffering and medical treatment last? A large settlement offer may seem generous at first, but you must consider how long that money will last in the face of a years- or decades-long recovery. In order to make sure you have the financial resources you will need for life, your attorney must account for expenses such as:
- Medication
- Additional surgeries
- Adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, braces, special car seats)
- Adapted living arrangements
- Home health care
By fully and accurately assessing damages, you can rest assured that you are pursuing compensation that will cover your needs today and tomorrow.
Think twice before saying yes
If an insurance company representative has contacted you and offered a settlement, you should be careful and speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer before accepting the offer. An offer that seems good may actually pale in comparison to the true value of your claim.