When you are injured by someone else’s actions, seeking compensation for your injuries may be the last thing on your mind. However, you deserve to be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages, and any ongoing care you need. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston or San Antonio will enable you to easily navigate the filing of an injury claim and provide you with representation if your claim goes to court.
Why It’s Worth It to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you don’t hire a personal injury lawyer, you will be forced to recover compensation for your injuries on your own, which can be a strenuous task when you are healing. Choosing to work with a professional allows you to focus your energy on improving your health and rebuilding the aspects of your life damaged due to the incident. In addition to determining what you’re owed and proving the other party’s fault, your lawyer will also communicate with the insurance companies.
Additionally, since the average individual does not have experience negotiating personal injury settlements, a lawyer will be able to land their client more significant compensation for their injuries. Keep reading to discover why working with an personal injury lawyer is a wise choice.
They Will Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Despite how pleasant an insurance adjuster may seem, they are present to ensure their employer, the insurance company, pays you a minimal settlement. A common belief is that insurance companies will compensate you without balking if your claim is valid. Unfortunately, this is untrue, and insurers will try to reimburse you for the lowest amount you’ll accept, no matter the validity of your claim.
While this behavior may feel like a personal affront to you, it’s business as usual for the insurance company. Working with a personal injury lawyer will allow you to get the maximum compensation for your injuries. Skilled lawyers know how to negotiate with insurers and will respond to their inquiries promptly and professionally.
They Will Seek Compensation for Bills and Wages
Medical bills will quickly spiral out of control after an injury, and the thought of trying to pay them can be overwhelming. In addition, if your injury requires you to take time off from work, you may struggle to manage your household budget and worry about your financial state. Being saddled with financial obligations due to another’s mistake is frustrating, and you shouldn’t be responsible for these debts.
However, unless you work with a personal injury lawyer, you may have to shoulder the financial burden caused by another person’s mistake or negligence. Victims who seek compensation on their own are far less successful than those who employ a professional to file their claim. When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, they’ll secure the monetary compensation necessary to pay for your care and seek reimbursement for lost wages.
They Will Ensure Your Settlement Includes Future Care
Suppose the accident you were in has left you with an ongoing condition or an injury that will take a long time to heal. In that case, you’ll want to be compensated for your projected care costs and the expenses you’ve already incurred. It’s also critical to consider whether your doctor anticipates your injuries requiring surgeries or extensive physical therapy in the future.
If there is a chance that you could require ongoing care, your insurer will want to have your claim closed before you can seek funds for your projected costs. However, a personal injury lawyer will prevent the insurance company from hurrying you and help you collect the medical documentation you need to claim compensation for future care. This assistance is essential, as failing to think about your long-term health can leave you holding the bill in a few years.
They Will Collect Evidence
Whether your injury claim goes to court or you can settle directly with the insurance company, you’ll still need documentation verifying the severity of your injuries and the expenses accompanying them. Medical records, estimated future treatment costs, itemized lists of property damage, and statements detailing your lost wages will need to be compiled and submitted to the insurance company.
If the insurance company argues that their client is not at-fault, you will need to collect evidence that proves their client’s responsibility. For example, security camera footage and police reports can prove your innocence in the incident. Your personal injury lawyer will organize and file this data to be presented to the insurance company and possibly in court.
They Will Locate Witnesses
If others witnessed your accident, their testimonies could validate your statement of the event. In addition, having an unbiased observer verify your version of the accident can encourage insurance companies to settle out of court for a reasonable amount. However, tracking down the individuals who witnessed the incident can be a complicated process.
If your injuries are severe, you won’t have the energy to pursue a statement from them. Instead, your personal injury lawyer can contact the witnesses for you and collect their testimonies. Additionally, witnesses are often more willing to offer testimonies when they are approached by lawyers, as it demonstrates the importance of their statements.
They Know the Statute of Limitations
In the state of Texas, the timeframe you have to file a lawsuit for a personal injury case begins when your injury occurs. If the statute of limitations expires, you will have difficulty seeking compensation for your injuries.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer immediately after your injury is the best course of action to ensure you are able to file your claim. However, if you are concerned you missed your opportunity to file, contact a personal injury lawyer. There are specific circumstances where the statute of limitations can be extended, and a lawyer familiar with Texas law will know if they apply to your case.
They Allow You to Recover
When you are injured, the last thing you need on your plate is the stress of filing a claim. However, if you wait to file your claim until after you are healed, you run the risk of missing your chance to seek compensation. Hiring a personal injury lawyer allows you to have your lawsuit filed while you recover.
Your personal injury lawyer will ensure the necessary paperwork is completed and submitted by the deadline, as well as field calls from insurance company representatives. Your health may suffer if you attempt to manage your case alone, as the work required to secure a settlement will use up time that could be devoted to physical therapy or resting your body and recovering.
They Will Represent You in Court
If the insurance company refuses to reach an appropriate settlement, you’ll have to take your claim to court. Undertaking a personal injury claim without legal representation is ill-advised. The insurer will have lawyers on retainer trying to prove that you don’t deserve compensation for your injuries. A lawyer familiar with handling personal injury trials will be ready to go toe-to-toe with the other party’s attorney to prove your claim is deserved.
Hire An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston and San Antonio
Working with a personal injury lawyer will make navigating your injury claim less stressful. From managing the initial filing of your claim to collecting evidence that the other party is responsible for your injuries, a personal injury lawyer will handle the work required to seek the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let someone else’s mistake impact your financial future. Contact the Gamez Law Firm today to work with skilled personal injury lawyers in the Houston and San Antonio area.