If you have recently been in an accident and suffered an injury, you may be wondering whether you should take legal action to obtain compensation for your injuries. You should strongly consider seeking legal representation if you want to take action, particularly if your case fits one of the situations below.
An experienced Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer from Simien & Simien can discuss your claim during a free consultation. We can examine your case and give you an honest assessment of your legal options and if it is in your best interest to take legal action. We do not charge for our services unless you receive compensation.
You Suffered Severe Injuries
If your accident was minor and you suffered only slight injuries, you might not need a lawyer. If you have the time to work on the legal aspect of your claim and handle communications with the insurance company, you may be able to settle your own claim.
One thing to remember is that sometimes injuries appear to be minor at first and end up becoming more serious later. At Simien & Simien it costs nothing to meet with a trusted attorney to discuss your situation. If there is any doubt in your mind about the severity of your injuries, it does not hurt to meet with a lawyer.
However, if you suffered a severe injury or an injury that results in pain for more than a few days, you should give serious thought to contacting a lawyer. Some severe accident-related injuries include the following:
Traumatic head injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Serious fractures
Severe soft tissue injuries
Amputations
Whiplash
Concussions
Your Injury Is Long-Term or Disabling
If your injury is long-term or disabling, you could be entitled to substantial compensation for medical expenses and various other damages. However, it will be difficult to get what you deserve without the help of an attorney.
Insurance companies and attorneys for the at-fault party will do everything they can to avoid paying fair compensation. An experienced attorney will be prepared for this and will know how to build a strong case and keep fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Compensation is extremely important for a debilitating injury because you will have so many expense, particularly expenses related to medical treatment, including:
Hospitalization
Surgery
Orthopedics
Cosmetic surgery
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Chiropractic treatment
Damages for lost wages or lost earning capacity may also be significant. You may not realize the full, economic impact your injury will have on the rest of your life.
At Simien & Simien, our personal injury lawyers know how to properly value your claim because we have done it so many times for victims of a variety of injuries and situations that resulted from negligence.
The Insurance Company Refuses to Pay or Offers an Unreasonable Amount
If you have attempted to resolve your own claim and the insurance company refuses to pay, you may need to hire an attorney to ensure that your claim is taken seriously. Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts and will deny as many claims as possible. Their job is to protect the financial interests of the insurance company, so they are not looking to pay out claims if they can avoid it.
Many individuals jeopardize their own claims by telling the insurance company information that is not relevant to the claims process, signing blanket medical release forms or by giving a recorded statement that is later used against them. In some situations, insurance companies may refuse to pay on claims even when liability is not in dispute and is clear.
In other situations, the insurance company may not deny the claim but may offer an unreasonably low amount that does not fully compensate you for the damages you have sustained. Most people do not realize the full value of their claim because they do not deal with insurance claims on a routine basis like personal injury attorneys do. Some insurance companies may try to quickly settle a claim before you have a chance to consult an attorney, so you will not realize the full value of your claim.
There Are Multiple Parties Involved and Liability Is Not Clear
If multiple motorists are involved, it may not be clear who is liable for the accident. In other situations, other parties such as employers, road maintenance companies or trucking companies may be involved in the process. In these situations, the case can become much more complicated and very difficult to manage on your own, particularly because you have an injury you are dealing with.
Our trusted attorneys are used to dealing with all kinds of complex cases. We know how to determine liability, even when various parties are involved. We are experienced in investigating injuries and building strong cases. Having an attorney at your side can be a huge advantage.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If any of the situations discussed above apply to you, do not hesitate to contact us at Simien & Simien. We can discuss your claim during a free, no obligation consultation and explain how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis and do not charge for our services unless you receive fair compensation.
