If you have tried on your own to settle a personal injury claim but have not had success in dealing with insurance companies, it is probably time to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. An experienced personal injury lawyer can work with you in ensuring your claim is presented in the best possible light.
There are several situations where working with an attorney can help you with your claim.
The Claim Becomes Too Complicated
If you were seriously injured and your claim includes damages for pain and suffering that will be present for the rest of your life, you want to be sure you are properly represented. Your attorney will know every avenue to pursue to make sure all legal avenues are researched and pursued in order to recover the most money available to you in damages for your accident.
On the other hand, even if your claim is smaller or less complicated, you may still want the help of an attorney just to handle your case in the event it comes to the arbitration process.
You are Unsuccessful in Reaching a Fair Settlement with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are in the business to make money for the company. They will attempt to offer you an amount that may be far less than you believe you deserve. An attorney can then work with the insurance company to negotiate a better settlement.
Let’s look at two situations where an insurance company may not give you the settlement you were looking for:
No Insurance Coverage
The insurance company may conclude that after reviewing the details, your accident is not covered under that particular policy. Ask to see the policy so you can review it firsthand to confirm the validity of the adjuster’s statement.
Insurance policies can be very difficult to read and understand and many times when there is an injury involved, the court will interpret the policy to cover the injured party. If you have been denied by the insurance company, take your case to a personal injury attorney for further review. Your lawyer may be more successful than you in getting the claim covered.
Your Claim is Denied
It is not uncommon to have your claim initially denied by the insurance company, denying the insured party was responsible for the accident in any way. They do this hoping you will believe them and not follow through with your claim. Often once you fight back you can get the insurance company to come back with a decent offer to settle the claim.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can step in when the insurance company refuses to settle or their amount is not near what you feel you deserve. Many times an attorney will take the case for a percentage of the settlement, meaning they do not get anything if you do not get a settlement.
Legal Terms and Rules Unfamiliar to You
Lawyers live and work in the legal arena every day. What seems totally foreign and confusing to you, they come across on a regular basis. Maneuvering through a personal injury claim can be intimidating. Employing an experienced personal injury lawyer Wytheville, VA relies on at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt can mean the difference between settling your claim fairly and just settling.