6 Signs You Should Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
In Florida, after suffering injuries in an accident because of another party’s negligence, you can file your personal injury claim alone without the help of a lawyer. However, there are times when it is in your best interest to retain an attorney and avoid handling your personal injury case alone. This article discusses six signs the attorneys at Florida Keys Injury believe may indicate that hiring a personal injury attorney is in your best interest based on experience.
Sign #1: You Suffered a Permanent or Long-term Disability
If your injury resulted in the development of a condition that requires treatment for months or years to come, it is a sign that you need to retain a personal injury lawyer. If you suffered an injury resulting in a condition that requires treatment for months or years to come, you might be entitled to far greater compensation. An attorney can help determine if you are entitled to greater compensation because of your permanent or long-term disability.
Sign #2: Liability Is Contested
If the other party easily accepts that they are liable for your injuries and damages, you can handle your injury case alone. However, if liability is contested, it is best that you hire a personal injury attorney. In Florida, crash reports are inadmissible. Just because the other party received a ticket or admitted blame to the police, does NOT mean that person will not recant their statement and claim you were at-fault. Under Florida law, the person bringing a personal injury claim has the burden of proof. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you gather and preserve evidence that can help you prove liability on the other party’s part.
Sign #3: Multiple Parties Are Involved
If your injury case involves multiple parties, then it is highly likely that there will be disputes about liability or how to allocate blame. Having a qualified personal injury attorney on your side can help protect you in the event that the parties who are liable for your accident raise disputes about liability or how to allocate blame.
Step #4: Your Case Involves a Government Entity
For example, suppose you were involved in an accident because of road construction or hit by a government-owned vehicle. In that case, it’s in your best interest to hire a qualified personal injury attorney. Personal injury claims against government entities can be quite complicated.
Sign #5: The Insurance Company Will Not Cooperate With You
If the insurance company will not cooperate with you, it is a sign that you need to retain the services of a skilled personal injury attorney. If the insurance company is, for example, refusing to investigate your claim, ignoring your calls, postponing your claim, “losing” crucial documents, intentionally misleading you about your legal rights, or giving you a low settlement offer, you should contact a personal injury attorney.
Sign #6: You Don’t Have Time to Work on Your Case
Lastly, if you suffered an injury that cannot allow you to, among other things, keep track of deadlines or go back and forth with the insurance company or companies, it is a sign you should retain a personal injury attorney. After you hire a personal injury attorney, handling your case will be their full-time job.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Have you suffered injuries in a car accident, pedestrian accident, Uber/Lyft accident, moped/scooter accident, bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, or another accident in Florida due to another party’s negligence? Contact a Key West & Marathon car accident lawyer at Florida Keys Injury for legal help.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
