January 4, 2023
personal injury

If you already have an attorney on retainer, it may seem simplest to file a personal injury claim with their help after an accident. However, it’s almost always a better idea to hire a personal injury lawyer instead. Personal injury law is complex, and attorneys with specialized knowledge can help you earn a much higher settlement.

Learn why a personal injury lawyer will achieve better results and how the personal injury attorneys at The Vance Law Firm can help you with your claim.

When Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

In law, non-specialized attorneys are equipped to take on various legal challenges, including business, family, employment, immigration, and criminal law. While lawyers specializing in other fields can sometimes pursue an injury claim, it may not be their area of expertise.

A personal injury lawyer specializes in tort law, a legal field that deals with civil claims for injuries caused by wrong actions or negligence. These attorneys take on claims where one party has suffered a physical or mental injury due to someone else’s actions, such as car accidents, dog bites, and slip-and-fall accidents.

Personal injury lawyers often handle negotiations with insurance companies to ensure that accident victims are adequately compensated for their injuries or losses.

In many situations, a general lawyer lacks the specific knowledge or experience to ensure your personal injury claim goes quickly and smoothly. You should hire a personal injury attorney if:

  • Insurance is not cooperating. For instance, if the insurance company may deny or delay your claim or is offering a low settlement not open to negotiation.
  • There are significant financial ramifications. For example, your accident left you with a substantial medical debt or prevented you from working.
  • The accident caused long-term damage. If your accident causes long-term or permanent injury, like paralysis or brain injury that prevents you from working or affects your quality of life, a personal injury lawyer can estimate your damages for a fair settlement.
  • You plan to pursue non-economic damages. If you experienced pain and suffering, loss of companionship due to an accident, or wrongful death, a personal injury attorney can help you assign a monetary value and prove these damages.

The Advantages of an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Because personal injury attorneys specialize in tort law, they are familiar with challenges specific to personal injury claims. Elements of a personal injury case include calculating your damages, negotiating with insurance companies, proving fault or negligence, or appealing denied claims.

Accident victims often experience challenges with insurance companies with financial incentives to delay or deny claims. Personal injury lawyers understand these companies’ tactics and can help you file or appeal a claim with substantial evidence to prove your case.

A personal injury attorney can help you negotiate with an insurance company to process your claim more quickly and offer you a fair settlement amount. After suffering an injury in an accident, you may not realize that insurance is offering less money than you deserve.

A personal injury attorney recognizes an unfair offer and can negotiate a higher settlement on your behalf.

How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

While all personal injury lawyers focus on tort law, choosing an attorney who meets your specific needs is important. When searching  for a Montgomery personal injury lawyer, consider attorneys with the following characteristics:

Experience with Similar Claims

Personal injury cases can vary significantly depending on the cause of your injury. For instance, workplace accident victims suffer different injuries than dog bite victims. Similarly, proving negligence in a slip-and-fall case requires different evidence than in a car accident claim.

Some forms of personal injury law also require more specialized knowledge than others, such as commercial truck accidents. These injury cases often involve complex federal and state regulations and multiple parties requiring experience and knowledge of these factors.

Clear and Communicative

When you have an ongoing legal claim, you will likely communicate frequently with your lawyer to supply evidence, ask questions about your case, and exchange updates as needed.

Good attorneys typically reply within one to two business days and know how to explain legal concepts in a way you understand. If you cannot reach or understand your lawyer, it could hurt your claim.

Affordable Fees

When choosing a lawyer for a personal injury claim, look for one who works on a contingency fee arrangement. If the attorney decides to take on your case, you won’t owe them anything until they win your case. After winning, you’ll pay them the agreed-upon settlement percentage.

According to Alabama law, attorneys cannot charge excessive contingency fees. They must also discuss their fee schedule with you and sign a contract agreeing to the payment amount before taking your case.

Look for a personal injury law firm that offers to work for a reasonable contingency fee, typically between 33% and 40% of your final settlement.

Track Record of Success

When choosing a personal injury attorney, research their track record with past cases and clients. View their website to see case results, including the settlement amounts they’ve won for accident victims. You can also view testimonials and reviews left by clients detailing their experience with the firm.

Schedule a free consultation with the attorney if you see positive reviews and a winning track record. During the free case review, they can discuss your claim, help you understand your legal options, and give you an estimate of how much you can win for your case.

The Vance Law Firm Can Help You Pursue Your Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve suffered a serious injury in Alabama, the personal injury lawyers at The Vance Law Firm are prepared to take on your case. Our law firm handles various personal injury claims, including car accidents, truck collisions, boating accidents, and workplace injuries.

We have won millions for personal injury accident victims and have the experience and resources to get you a fair settlement for your injuries.

Contact us today to schedule a free case review where you can ask questions regarding your case and learn how we can help get you the compensation you deserve.

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