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If you or a loved one was injured in a negligence-based accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer can strengthen your fight for compensation. Hiring a lawyer is an important step in the financial recovery process, which means it is important to know when you should hire a personal injury lawyer.
Recovering from serious injuries, dealing with property damage, or coping with the loss of a loved one can be physically and emotionally challenging. It does not have to be a process you manage alone. Hiring a Rutherfordton personal injury lawyer can help you get support for your claim right from the start at no upfront or out-of-pocket cost.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Early is Crucial for Your Case
You have a small window of opportunity to file a lawsuit after an accident in North Carolina. In general, you have:
- Three years to meet the personal injury lawsuit filing deadline of the statute of limitations, according to G.S. § 1-52
- Two years to meet the wrongful death lawsuit filing deadline of statute of limitations, according to G.S. § 1-53
Various factors can alter the filing deadline, so hiring a lawyer can help you avoid a misinterpretation or miscalculation that could harm your legal claim. In addition, the sooner a lawyer gets to work on your claim, the more time they have to collect and preserve evidence and speak to witnesses while their recollection of the accident is vivid.
How a Lawyer Can Help Document and Establish Financial Liability
To recover damages from an at-fault party, you must prove their negligence, recklessness, or carelessness caused your accident. That means proving the legal elements of negligence—duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages—with the following evidence:
- Police reports
- First responder reports
- Witness statements
- Expert testimonials
- Photos of your injuries
- Property damage photos
- Security and surveillance video
Your personal injury attorney will handle every aspect of evidence collection, relieving you and your family of the burden. They will also sort and organize your evidence and present a cohesive case file to the at-fault party’s representative.
You Should Hire an Attorney if You Suffered Serious Injuries in an Accident
The injuries you suffer in a negligence-based accident can range from cuts and scrapes to catastrophic physical injuries like broken bones, limb loss, and traumatic brain injuries. Severe injuries can result in long recovery times and may prevent you from fully participating in the process of seeking damages.
When a lawyer handles your claim, you avoid losing time to file your lawsuit and time to conduct a thorough investigation. They can also help you track and document your post-accident expenses.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Track Your Injury-Related Expenses and Losses
A financial settlement, once reached and signed, is final. That makes it important to get the assessment of your accident claim correct. Your medical expenses can be challenging to assess since they can continue long after your claim is settled. To track your ongoing medical treatment expenses, your lawyer will collect
- Medical care bills
- Rehab bills
- Therapy bills
- Receipts of assistive devices
- Treatment-related travel receipts
To recover future treatment costs, your lawyer will obtain documentation of your current treatment expenses and a detailed prognosis outlining the medical attention you will need in the future.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Help Dealing with the Insurer
Dealing with the insurance company after an accident can be a daunting experience in and of itself. If you hire a lawyer to represent you, they can:
- Gather physical evidence and supporting documents
- Draft your insurance claim and file your lawsuit
- Identify and consult with relevant expert witnesses
- Negotiate an appropriate and fair settlement
- Handle all communication with the insurance provider
Communicating with the insurance company on your behalf is an important part of your claim. They can protect you from saying or signing anything that might harm your claim, or from the potential financial shortfall of a speedy settlement.
A Lawyer Can Help You Maximize Your Financial Compensation After an Accident
The average personal injury settlement compensates you for multiple types of damages. You should hire a lawyer if your compensation request is complex, or if you are uncertain about the damages you are entitled to recover. They can optimize your recovery by:
- Negotiating on your behalf
- Document your damages
- Measure an offer’s pros and cons
- Make counteroffers as warranted
A settlement is usually the preferred resolution to a personal injury claim that requires careful thought and consideration. Importantly, a lawyer can protect you from the temptation of a speedy settlement offer that does not take all of your future damages into account.
Why Hiring a Contingency-Based Personal Injury Lawyer is Risk-Free
You do not have to wait to hire a lawyer out of concern for its costs. Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay:
- A sizeable retainer
- Traditional hourly attorney fees
- Upfront expenses
- Investigation costs
- Deposition fees
Your lawyer will cover all costs related to your case and will only receive payment if you win compensation. In addition, if you do not recover damages, you will not owe any fees at all. That means you can hire a lawyer as soon as you are ready.
Learn More About How Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Fighting for fair compensation after a negligence-based accident can be a time-consuming and stressful process. You do not have to navigate it on your own when our highly rated personal injury law firm is on your side. Our legal team members will provide a 24/7 helpline to answer your questions at any time and keep you updated on the progress of your case.
Learn more about your case and find out when you should hire a personal injury lawyer by contacting our evaluation team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC to get started today.
