When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Roughly half of Americans are now carrying some degree of medical debt. For many families, something as seemingly minor as an accident-related injury can be detrimental to their financial standing. If you were recently the victim of a car accident, you may be wondering if now is the time to hire a personal injury lawyer.

Personal injury law is designed to protect victims of other people’s negligent behavior. When you’re already dealing with the stress of an injury, you shouldn’t have to carry the additional burden of bills and lost income.

Read on as we discuss personal injury law and when you should hire a lawyer to represent you in your claim.

What Does Personal Injury Law Cover?

Personal injury claims fall under the civil court of law. The objective is not to charge the responsible party with a crime. Instead, the goal of a personal injury claim is to receive the compensation you are owed due to your suffering.

The key difference between a personal injury claim and a criminal case is negligence vs. intent. If someone set out with the intention of causing you harm, this calls for a criminal case.

A personal injury claim is justified when someone’s negligence caused preventable harm. In other words, if the other party failed to behave with reasonable care and you were injured as a result, you are entitled to compensation. 

Examples of Personal Injury Cases

It is often easier to understand what constitutes a personal injury by looking at specific examples.

For example, let’s say that you were driving your car when another driver hit you, causing damage to your car as well as injuries. While the other driver didn’t intentionally hit your car, they may have been driving recklessly or negligently. Perhaps they were ignoring traffic laws or texting rather than looking at the road.

There are times when a personal injury claim may accompany a criminal case. For example, you may file a personal injury claim as the victim of assault. The purpose of the criminal case is to bring about legal justice, while the purpose of your personal injury claim is to bring about financial justice. 

Signs That You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are preparing to file a personal injury claim, it is always recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer. This is the case, even if the facts are evident or the defendant is behaving cooperatively. The defendant will almost always have legal representation in their corner and your odds improve drastically when you have legal representation of your own. 

It’s important to consider that not all instances of negligence or injuries will lead to a successful personal injury claim. Multiple conditions must be present at the same time in order for your claim to stand. Let’s take a look at some of the conditions that are present in most personal injury claims. 

You Were Injured in an Accident Caused by Someone Else

The first thing you must be able to prove is that the accident that resulted in your injuries was caused by someone else. Remember, there are two key factors here: 1) the accident resulted in injuries, and 2) the accident was caused by someone else.

Proving fault in a personal injury claim isn’t always easy. You must demonstrate first that the defendant was obligated to drive safely. Then, you must demonstrate that they failed to do so. 

Your Injury Is Resulting in Significant Medical Bills

The next thing you need to be able to prove is that you have suffered significant injuries and that those injuries are creating financial strain. One of the most common ways to demonstrate financial strain is by citing proof of your medical bills.

This includes medical bills that you’ve already accrued since the accident. It can also include future medical bills if your doctor believes that you will need ongoing or long-term care.

The Accident Also Caused Damage to Your Property

Another potential source of financial strain in a personal injury claim is property damage. For example, your car may need serious repairs (or even replacement) after a car accident. 

You Have Lost Income Due to the Nature of Your Injuries

It is not uncommon for new injuries to impact your capabilities as an employee. For example, you may have to take time off from work while you seek medical treatment. If an injury leads to long-term or chronic disabilities, it may impact your ability to complete your normal work duties.

If your injury has led to a loss of income, you can request compensation for that lost income during a personal injury claim.

Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer Near You

Now that you’ve read our guide, you may be thinking, “It’s time to find a personal injury lawyer near me.” At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we offer legal representation for accident victims in California, Texas, and beyond. Don’t just hire any personal injury lawyer; hire the best.

To get started with us, contact us and set up your free case consultation. We’ll review the facts of your injuries and discuss the next steps that you should take. That way, you can make an informed decision for signing any contracts.