Any injury can be considered serious depending on how the injured party perceives it. However, there are some that the law and the medical field consider to be catastrophic injuries. Many of these have a long-term impact on the injured individual.
There are a number of steps that must be taken following an injury, but one of the most important things to consider is hiring legal representation. This is the first step to protecting yourself during the difficult legal process.
Not many people take this step because they’re not sure if they can afford a lawyer or even know that they have a right to take legal action. This can be a mistake. It’s important to make sure you’re properly represented. Here’s why:
THE DEFENDANT HAS THEIR OWN LEGAL TEAM
Catastrophic injuries are most often caused by the negligence of another party. Whether this be a reckless driver, a negligent company, or even a medical professional, these people can make mistakes that have serious repercussions.
When you file a lawsuit against the defendant and their insurance company, they will have high-paid legal teams that are there to minimize the impact of your injuries. They’re looking out for their own profits; their own best interests.
They’ll bring up any piece of evidence they feel will turn the case in their favor so they don’t have to pay out a claim. On your end, you need to make sure you have strong legal representation of your own to protect you from being taken advantage of by the other legal team.
GETTING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES
Part of having a successful claim after a catastrophic injury means having the necessary resources to prove negligence and fault. This often means accessing certain evidence or people that, on your own, may be a difficult task.
Having a lawyer means you have the legal resources necessary to gather the documents and expert witnesses for your case. A lawyer has extensive resources that you can use to your advantage, including the following:
- Expert witnesses
- Medical professionals
- Accident recreationists
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Police reports
- Statements made by the defendant
These are all helpful resources in your case because the courts typically determine fault based on the evidence at hand.
PROVING FAULT & NEGLIGENCE
Understanding legal matters means that you know in order to be successful, it must be shown that the defendant was negligent and should be considered at fault for the damage caused. There are four factors that courts look at when determining fault.
- Duty of care: It must be shown that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care to protect them from harm.
- Breach of duty of care: There has to be some form of negligence involved or reckless action that breaches the duty of care, putting others in danger.
- The accident resulted from the breach: It must be shown that the accident was directly caused by the negligent action that breached the duty of care.
- The injury resulted from the accident: Pre-existing injuries won’t count in these types of cases. It must be shown that the injury sustained was directly related to the negligence-related accident.
The legal team you choose should understand what’s at stake and what is necessary to help you move forward with your case. A catastrophic injury is very serious and protecting your rights should be one of your top priorities.
FOCUSING ON YOUR OWN RECOVERY
For many, a catastrophic injury means dealing with the complex matters and hardships that come along with it. The injured individual is already dealing with the physical damage resulting from the incident, as well as the financial hardships of medical bills and lost income.
Furthermore, catastrophic injuries may also be associated with emotional trauma that can cause the victim to endure depression, anxiety, and a number of other feelings that remind them of the accident and—subsequently—their injuries.
By hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer, you can focus solely on your own health and recovery. The legal issues can become unbearable, so having a professional who can guide you through the process without you having to worry is one of the more important things to have.
KNOWING WHEN TO SETTLE OR GO TO TRIAL
In any kind of personal injury claim, there are options for the plaintiff to seek the compensation they need and deserve. Part of this means knowing when to accept a settlement offer or when it’s better to go to trial.
A settlement offer is often the insurance company’s attempt to minimize the claim of the plaintiff by offering a lower amount in order to make a potential lawsuit go away. The hope for the insurance company is that the plaintiff will accept the settlement and avoid going further with the claim.
The problem with settlement offers is that they are often much less than the victim would receive than if they were to go to trial. A trial allows the plaintiff to present their evidence in hopes of securing maximum compensation from the negligent party.
A lawyer can help you put together the compelling case that encourages the courts to rule in your favor, but also show the damages sustained with hopes of seeking the maximum compensation allowable under the law.
WHY CHOOSE OUR TEAM?
You don’t want to hire just any catastrophic injury lawyer to help you navigate the legal system. You want to be sure that you’re hiring someone with significant experience and knowledge in cases similar to yours so they know how to handle everything that comes with these complex cases.
Your choice in lawyer can be the big difference between a successful outcome and walking away from a lawsuit with nothing. You have to be sure that the person you choose knows what it takes to help you in the most effective and positive manner possible.
At Hare Wynn, we have been helping people get the results they need since 1890. Our firm has the dedication and commitment needed to help victims of catastrophic injuries hold the responsible party accountable for compensation and for justice.
We go the extra mile to give our clients peace of mind because we know how difficult a time in their life this is and we want to help you move forward. We make your case clear so you can understand your options and what to expect every step of the way.
Furthermore, we offer our services on a contingency fee basis. This means our clients don’t have to pay anything out of pocket, and we only collect fees if and when we are successful in your case. Even better, we offer free consultations so you can get answers without having to worry about financial troubles.
If you’ve been catastrophically injured due to someone else’s negligence, know that you have legal rights and options that can help you. Don’t let the reckless party get away with their actions. Put experience and tenacity on your side.
Call our firm today at 800-568-5330 for the strong legal representation you need and see why we’ve been a trusted name for over 130 years.
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