Do you want to know when to hire a personal injury lawyer? Keep reading this article for more information.
Suffering a personal injury, no matter the cause can be a truly daunting and confusing time.
Moreover, not only do you need to heal and recover physically and emotionally, but also you need to figure out if you should hire a personal injury lawyer.
Also, there are many instances in Ontario where a personal injury lawyer can greatly benefit your recovery process.
Maybe you wondering if and when you need to hire a personal injury lawyer, the post will help you identify the opportunities available to you, and enable you to truly begin your journey to recovery.
READ MORE: When to hire a personal injury lawyer
When Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
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As a general rule, you should contact a personal injury lawyer after you experience an injury on private or public property. Moreover, maybe you’ve experienced a slip and fall or we’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, you have rights.
However, reaching out to a realizable injury lawyer as soon as possible can give you peace of mind in knowing that someone is looking out for your best interests.
Should you find yourself in any one of the situations below, it is best to contact the personal injury lawyer.
Unsure If Compensation Is Available
If you are unsure whether or not compensation is available, or how much you may be eligible to receive, this is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer. Moreover, a lawyer can examine the details of your case to determine the compensation available.
Also, they will explore the damages, loss of personal property, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and hidden expenses like housekeeping costs, while identifying all defendants in the potential injury claim or lawsuit.
Also, the amount you are eligible to receive depends upon:
- Whether or not you are partially responsible for the accident.
- The severity of the injuries.
- Your prognosis.
- Your pre-accident income.
- The cost of medical expenses, rehabilitation treatments, or other out-of-pocket expenses.
- Your age.
- Whether or not you were receiving from the auto insurance policy, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), extended health benefits, or long-term disability payments.
Substantial Medical Costs from Accidents
Experience a personal injury can result in substantial medical costs. You may be entitled to some or all of these costs depending on the nature and circumstances that surround your injury.
Moreover, in the province of Ontario, your medical costs can exceed those available through your Ontario Health Insurance or other insurance coverage.
Also, by hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages (past and future), future healthcare and treatment costs, and more.
A lawyer will ensure that the injuries you experience are properly categorized. A catastrophic injury, for example, will be with far greater financial compensation than an injury classified as minor.
READ MORE: WHEN TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER? 5 KEY SIGNS
Things To Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Here are things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer:
1. Ask For the Referral
If you happen to know someone that has been in a situation similar to yours, it may be advantageous to reach out and see if they have any advice to give you.
2. Find Out Who Will Handle Your Case
There may be many lawyers that work in personal injury law firms. This is possible for the first professional you interview that won’t be the attorney who handles your case.
3. Meet With the Legal Team
Moreover, your first meetings regarding your personal injury claim should be used to build rapport. Also, they familiarize yourself with working with experienced attorneys. This is common for lawyers to work with law clerks and legal assistants that will be in charge of handling part of the day-to-day operations.
4. Read The Retainer Agreement
The retainer agreement is the contract you sign with a personal injury law professional. Moreover, maybe you are working on a contingency basis, you will not need to pay any amount to your lawyer or the law firm until you get the settlement for your case.
5. Don’t Go in Thinking About Guarantees
The most important factor to consider after going through the accident should be your recovery. However, the extent of your recovery will be taken into consideration when calculating your compensation and can harm your claims.
6. Access To Evidence
Many cases, especially those of higher complexity will require access to time and resources from several individuals. Moreover, medical specialists, private investigators, and many other professionals whose expertise is important for the development of the case will be required to give their input at some point during the legal process.
7. Trust Your Judgement
Personal injury claims are strenuous experiences and require you to take many decisions in a limited time frame. Moreover, this is essential that when looking for counsel you choose to help individuals that will trust.
The correct attorney will represent you in more than one way. Not only will they handle your legal representation, but they’ll also understand the emotional and physical toll the situation takes on you and will be psychologically aligned with your needs.
READ MORE: When Should I Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Conclusion
Maybe you have questions about when to hire a personal injury lawyer, you can easily contact any experienced personal injury lawyers for more information.