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Most of us have seen the ads for personal injury lawyers – on TV, radio, or billboards across the country. However, once we are personally involved in an accident ourselves, the question often arises: Do I really need the help of a lawyer?
The truth is, every accident that results in a personal injury is unique to itself. While there are no hard-and-fast rules on what types of accidents benefit from the help of an attorney, there are a number of factors that can help determine whether legal assistance is necessary.
In order to help personal injury victims evaluate the legal options available to them, the team at Judd Shaw Injury Law is happy to offer free case reviews. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, a free consultation with our firm can provide you with the information and guidance you need to decide on your next steps. Call us 24/7 at 732-888-8888 or fill out our online form to schedule your free case review.
The Role of Personal Injury Lawyers
First, it is important to understand what role personal injury lawyers play in recovering compensation after an accident. Some of the principal ways an attorney can help his or her client is by gathering sufficient evidence to strengthen the claim, handling all necessary communication with the insurance company, and representing the client in court when necessary.
Gathering evidence
A strong case is built on solid evidence. One of the first steps a personal injury lawyer takes when working on a case is gathering evidence to help build a strong case. In order to establish the facts of the case, the lawyer may be able to identify and interview witnesses or gather other physical evidence such as security footage or important records.
Another way that an attorney can strengthen a case is by working with an expert witness. Consulting with experts, such as accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, or others, can help prove both liability and damages in a case.
Communicating with the insurance company
After an accident, one of the most essential (yet stressful) steps a personal injury victim must take is communicating with the insurance company. Often, insurance companies use the stress of the accident to their advantage, either denying or devaluing the claim, even pressuring the victim to accept an insufficient settlement.
When a personal injury lawyer takes on a case, he or she aggressively defends the client’s legal rights. Instead of the insurance company putting pressure on the victim, his or her lawyer takes over communication and can pressure the insurance company into offering fair compensation instead.
Taking the case to court when necessary
The good news is that most personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, at times, insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, and a trial becomes a necessary step.
The personal injury lawyers at our firm are dedicated to providing our clients with high-quality legal representation that goes to full lengths to protect their rights. If necessary, our lawyers are prepared to take your case to court to fight for you and your family’s full compensation.
Simple Cases vs. Complex Cases
In most cases, personal injury victims with professional legal representation receive a much higher settlement than those who handle their cases themselves. In fact, it has been found that the vast majority of people who recovered any settlement at all had worked with a lawyer.
That being said, some simple cases may not require a lawyer. A number of factors can determine whether a case is simple or complex, including the total damages, the type of insurance coverage, and the number of parties involved.
Minor damages vs. major damages
Some accidents are minor in nature and only result in small injuries and minimal medical bills or time off work. These cases often do not require the help of an attorney. Generally, if the amount of damages is less than the small claims court limit ($5,000 in New Jersey), a lawyer may not be necessary.
Cases involving major injuries or lengthy amounts of lost work, though, can especially use an experienced attorney.
Serious injuries may include:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Paralysis or loss of a body part
- Brain injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Death
In these cases, the damages can easily reach over $100,000, and professional legal help is essential.
Regular insurance vs. commercial insurance
Especially in the case of car accidents, the type of parties involved can turn a “straightforward” , “simple” case into a complex one. If an accident involves a government agency, rideshare company (such as Uber or Lyft), or another company (such as with a semi-truck, delivery truck, or another commercial vehicle), there are a number of specific laws and legal precedents that can have an impact on the potential claim.
Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer in these situations ensures that you have a professional on your side who is well-versed in the applicable laws. In addition, commercial companies usually have their own legal team representing their interests. Having a legal team fighting for you gives you a better chance of recovering fair compensation.
One at-fault party vs. multiple at-fault parties
Another factor that can complicate a case is the number of parties involved in the accident. In the majority of cases, negligence was the cause of the injuries, but was there only one liable party or factor involved?
For example, a mechanical issue or design flaw may have contributed to the accident as well. Or, there may have been insufficient security measures in place to protect against an accident. Personal injury lawyers know how to examine all factors of the accident to identify all potentially liable parties and recover full compensation. It may also be of the essence to work directly with a professional who specialized in accident reconstruction.
Contact Judd Shaw Injury Law After Your Personal Injury Accident
After an accident has left you or a family member seriously hurt, you need legal advice you can trust. The team at Judd Shaw Injury Law is dedicated to helping injured New Jerseyans receive the legal representation they need to recover full compensation for their losses after an accident.
Some of the personal injury cases our lawyers handle include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability
A free compensation with our team can provide you with the information and advice you need to decide on your best course of action.
We understand the toll personal injuries have on victims and their families, and we know the stakes are high when it comes to recovering compensation. That is why we follow our set of core values in order to deliver exceptional customer service to each of our clients.
At part of the Judd Shaw Way, our promise to our clients is that we will:
- Be a knight in shining armor
- Work the ‘WOW’
- Be chivalrous to each other and our communities
- Be passionate and committed to continuous improvement
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and case review at 732-888-8888. Our team is available 24/7 to offer personal injury victims the help they need during this difficult accident aftermath.