When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
When you are injured in an accident, you may be facing a long road to recovery. In addition to your physical injuries, you may also be dealing with emotional trauma and financial stress. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation to cover your medical expenses and other damages.
At Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, we want to ensure you understand your rights. If you have been injured, it’s important to know what options you have and what steps you can take. This is why our Virginia personal injury attorneys work with you to understand what filing a claim will mean for you.
When Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you live in Richmond, there are many lawyers to choose from. So, how do you know when it is time to hire one? In most cases, it is best to hire a personal injury attorney immediately after your accident. If you are unsure and aren’t ready to schedule a consultation, you should ask yourself a few questions:
Do I Have a Valid Claim?
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
How Severe Are My Injuries?
If your injuries are serious and have resulted in significant medical bills, you may need a lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Can I Handle This on My Own?
You will need to decide whether you can manage your claim on your own or if you need the assistance of a lawyer. If the insurance company offers a low settlement amount, you may need to hire a lawyer to negotiate a higher settlement.
How Do I Know If My Situation Requires a Personal Injury Attorney?
There is no easy answer to this question. You will need to consider several different factors. If you are unsure whether or not you need a lawyer, you can always consult with one for a free consultation. You may need an attorney if:
You Suffered a Serious Injury or Permanent Disability
If you have suffered a severe injury, such as a spinal cord injury, or permanent disability, such as paralysis or loss of limb, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. These injuries can result in significant medical bills, have a major impact on your life, and may require long-term care. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation to cover your medical expenses.
You Aren’t Sure Who Is at Fault
If you are unsure who is at fault for the accident, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you investigate the accident and determine who is liable.
Determining who is at fault for an accident can be complex. A personal injury lawyer will know how to investigate your accident and build a strong case. If you try to handle your claim on your own, the insurance company may deny your claim or offer a low settlement.
There Are Multiple Parties Involved
If multiple parties are involved in your accident, you should probably speak to a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you determine who is liable and get the compensation you deserve.
Multiple parties can make an accident more complex. For example, if you were hit by a car while walking, the car’s driver may be liable. But, if the driver was working for a company at the time of the accident, the company may also be liable. This is known as respondeat superior, and could possibly lead to increased insurance coverage for your accident. Your lawyer will know how to investigate your accident and determine who is responsible.
The Insurance Company Denied or Is Delaying Your Claim
If the insurance company has denied your claim or delayed your payment, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your options and get the compensation you deserve.
The insurance company may deny your claim if they believe you are not injured or think the accident was your fault. If your claim is denied, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How Do I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Richmond?
The best way to find a good lawyer is to ask for referrals from friends or family. You can also look online for reviews of personal injury lawyers in Richmond. Once you have found a few potential lawyers, you should set up consultations to meet with them. You should ask the lawyer about their experience, fees, and whether they think you have a strong case during your consultation.
You should also hire a lawyer that you feel comfortable with. Your relationship with your lawyer is important. You will be sharing sensitive information with your lawyer, and you need to trust them.
What Should I Look For When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When meeting with potential lawyers, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Experience: You should hire a lawyer that has experience handling personal injury claims. Ask the lawyer about their experience and whether they have handled claims similar to yours.
Availability: Make sure the lawyer is available. Some lawyers may be unavailable for weeks or even months. You want to make sure the lawyer you hire is available to work on your case right away.
Fees: Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if you win your case. Be sure to ask the lawyer about their fees and how they will be paid.
Case Assessment: You should ask the lawyer whether they think you have a strong case. A good lawyer will be honest with you and let you know if they think your case is worth pursuing.
Reputation: You should research the lawyer’s reputation. Ask around and see if anyone has had a positive experience working with the lawyer. You can also look online for reviews of the lawyer.
Comfort Level: Developing an attorney-client relationship is an important part of getting through your case. It is important that you feel comfortable with your lawyer. You will be sharing sensitive information with them, and you need to trust them.
Collaboration: Personal injury claims can be complex. You may need to work with other professionals, like doctors or investigators. Be sure to ask the lawyer if they are willing to collaborate with other professionals.
What to Look Out For When Hiring a Lawyer
There are some personal injury law firms that use predatory marketing practices. These firms may send you unsolicited letters or call you after an accident. They may also try to pressure you into signing a contract.
If you are contacted by one of these firms, you should be wary. You should never sign a contract with a lawyer without first meeting with them and understanding their terms.
You should also be careful of any lawyer that promises you a certain outcome. No lawyer can guarantee you will win your case or get a specific amount of money. Any lawyer that makes these kinds of promises is likely not to have your best interests at heart.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Even in straightforward cases, it is always a good idea to speak to a lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your options and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair settlement. In some cases, the insurance company may try to lowball you with an initial settlement offer. If you accept their offer, you will waive your right to later sue for more money if your injuries turn out worse than expected.
Other issues that frequently come up in personal injury cases that most people do not know how to address include:
- What to do after a car accident if the negligent driver does not have insurance
- How to determine the value of the case
- Whether medical bills need to be paid back
- How to deal with a hit and run accident under Virginia law
- How to deal with being injured in a workplace accident
Each of these situations requires different actions to be taken to protect your rights and ensure you are compensated for your injuries. When you seek legal representation, an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to advise you on what to do in each of these situations.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if you win your case. The lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the total amount you are awarded.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in your personal injury case, the lawyer’s fee may be $33,333. Be sure to ask the lawyer about their legal fees and how they will be paid before signing a contract with them.
Why You Should Hire Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is a personal injury law firm with over 40 years of experience serving clients throughout Virginia. We have a proven track record of success, and we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
We offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your case and whether we are the right fit for you. We do not charge any upfront fees, and we only get paid if you win your case.
We have a team of experienced lawyers, paralegals, and investigators that work on each case. This allows us to provide our clients with the best possible representation.
We are available to meet with you at our office, your home, or the hospital. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you.
Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Claim
In a personal injury claim, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, like medical bills and lost wages.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In some cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the negligent party and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
How Your Lawyer Will Prove Negligence
In order to win your case, your lawyer will need to prove that the other party was negligent. Negligence is a legal term that means the other party did not act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have in the same situation.
There are four elements that must be proven in order to establish negligence:
- Duty: The other party had a duty to act with care. For example, all drivers have a duty to drive safely, which typically means they drive with a proper lookout, speed, and control of their vehicle.
- Breach: The other party breached their duty of care. This means that they did not act as a reasonable person would have in the same situation.
- Cause: The other party’s breach of duty caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the other party’s negligence.
If all four of these elements are present, then you may have a negligence case against the other party.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the easier it will be to build your case.
Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. To learn more about when to hire a personal injury lawyer in Richmond, contact one of our attorneys today. We offer free initial consultations, so you can have your case evaluated without any cost or obligation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
