When is it Time to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?

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Originally Posted On: https://www.bjc4ga.com/when-is-it-time-to-contact-a-personal-injury-lawyer/

When someone gets injured because of the negligence or reckless actions of another party, it can be a life-altering event. Moderate to severe injuries can put you out of work for a while and cause you to rack up thousands of dollars in medical costs. In addition to that, there are intangible costs that go along with these types of injuries, such as of the intense pain-and-suffering you have to endure and the anxiety that accompanies the uncertainty about when (if ever) things will be back to normal.

When an injury occurs, your first priority is your health and well-being. With that in mind, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical treatment. Even if you do not feel extreme pain right after the accident or event, you should still get checked out by a medical professional, because sometimes it can take several hours or even a few days for the symptoms of an injury to materialize. By getting looked at right away, you will be able to get prompt treatment for any injuries you might have sustained and thus mitigate the effects of them.

Once you have addressed your medical needs, you should think about the legal ramifications of what happened to you. If the accident was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to damages not only for your direct monetary losses such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage, but also for non-economic losses such as physical and emotional pain-and-suffering and diminished quality of life.

The goal of insurance companies is to mitigate their losses by paying out as little as possible for your injuries, and unfortunately, their interests are not aligned with yours. Insurance adjusters are also trained professionals who handle cases like yours on a regular basis. They know all of the tactics and tricks that can be used to diminish the value of a claim and get you to take less than you deserve. And if you are not familiar with the claims process, it can be very difficult to get a fair deal from the insurer.

When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Attorney?

The short answer to this question is – as soon as possible. Every situation is unique, but no matter what the circumstances of what happened to you, it never hurts to at least talk with a personal injury lawyer. Initial consultations are always free, and this is a good opportunity to have your case examined and learn what your legal rights and options are. This way, you can make the most informed decision on how you wish to proceed.

It is best to get in contact with an attorney sooner rather than later, because the longer you hold off on getting in touch with one, the more challenging it will be to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries. Evidence and witnesses tend to disappear over time, and by getting an attorney involved right away, they are able to preserve the important facts and pieces of evidence, so you are in the best possible position to secure a favorable outcome.

You might be thinking that your injuries are minor, and you can handle the insurance claim on your own. If you only have minor injuries, then it may be true that you do not need a lawyer. But as we mentioned earlier, you may not always know the extent of your injuries right away, so you might want to talk to a lawyer just in case.

Here are some indicators that you are probably going to need a personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim:

• The injury was severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, emergency room, and/or multiple doctor visits.
• You have medical bills totaling into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.
• You have been forced to miss a significant amount of time from work.
• There is a chance that your injury could be permanent and debilitating.
• There is a question about who was at fault for the accident.
• Your injury happened at work, but it might have been caused by a third party other than your employer.
• There were multiple parties involved in the accident and/or other complicating factors.
• The insurance company is delaying or denying your claim.

Contact Bailey, Javins, & Carter, L.C. when you Need an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one got hurt in because of someone else’s negligence and you believe you might need an attorney, Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. is here to help. To schedule your free consultation and case assessment with a member of our legal team, message us online or call our Atlanta office today at (678) 981-5370. We look forward to serving you!