Have you been injured in Tampa, Florida? Your accident can have a significant impact on your life.
For example, maybe you broke several bones in a car accident. You will now need to undergo medical treatment, which may be costly. Depending on what you do for a living, your injuries might even keep you away from work. This can prevent you from earning an income.
That is just one potential scenario. It is important to be aware that you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses after an injury, depending on the nature of your accident.
In general, seeking compensation involves filing a claim to collect from an insurance company. However, insurance companies are businesses. They have been known to deny claims or offer low payouts to minimize their financial losses.
You should consider enlisting outside help when submitting a claim. Reviewing your case with a personal injury attorney will increase your odds of recovering compensation.
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Do I Always Have to Hire an Attorney to Submit a Personal Injury Insurance Claim?
Not all accidents and injuries are serious enough to justify hiring a lawyer. Minor injuries will typically not cause significant losses. You don’t necessarily need a lawyer if your damages are minimal and your case is straightforward.
Still, it can be difficult for a personal injury victim to determine whether their injuries and losses qualify for compensation. An attorney can review your case for free. They will let you know whether you need legal representation or whether you can handle this claim on your own.
The process of recovering compensation can involve a number of tasks; they may include:
- Documenting your losses (such as medical bills)
- Gathering evidence to show how the accident occurred
- Conducting an investigation to determine whose negligence caused your accident
- Completing paperwork and submitting it by a deadline
- Negotiating with an insurer for a fair settlement
These points indicate one of the key reasons many personal injury victims benefit from hiring lawyers when submitting claims: An attorney can handle these tasks so that a victim can spend time focusing on their recovery.
Why You Should Talk to a Lawyer Before Submitting an Insurance Claim
There is no harm in speaking with a lawyer before filing your claim. Remember, insurance companies are not on your side. They are profit-driven organizations. It is not uncommon for insurance adjusters to look for reasons to deny or undervalue claims.
An adjuster’s employer may encourage them to make a note of any statements a victim makes that could give them a reason to pay less (or nothing at all).
Don’t sabotage yourself by working directly with the insurance companies from the beginning. Review your case with an attorney first. This can help you avoid saying anything that might prevent you from recovering fair compensation.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Help With My Insurance Claim?
You might not know whether you need a lawyer when submitting a claim. Therefore, it is wise to consult with one if you are not certain whether your losses and injuries are minor.
Reasons to hire a lawyer include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
- Your accident resulted in catastrophic injuries or injuries that will have a permanent impact on your life (such as brain damage)
- Multiple parties were involved in your accident
- Complex laws (such as medical malpractice laws) apply to your case
- Government entities, employees, or property are involved
- Your child was injured
- The insurance company is unwilling to conduct a proper investigation
You are not taking a risk by meeting with a personal injury attorney before filing a claim. Any reputable attorney will review your case at no cost to you.
Some injury victims are reluctant to hire lawyers because they believe legal services are too costly. That’s an understandable concern. However, most personal injury attorneys utilize contingency fee agreements. You do not have to pay your lawyer any fees unless they recover compensation for you first.
This arrangement incentivizes an attorney to strive for as much compensation as possible. Their fee will usually be a percentage of the compensation you receive. Thus, they are motivated to provide you with aggressive representation.
How the Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Tampa Personal Injury Claim
Do not delay in scheduling a meeting with a Tampa lawyer if you are thinking about filing a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations sets deadlines for when victims must take legal action. If you wait too long to begin the process of seeking compensation, you will not be able to recover any.
Don’t sacrifice your right to file a lawsuit against a negligent party when you have been injured in Florida. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer sooner rather than later. If it turns out that you do need a lawyer, their assistance can play a major role in your case’s outcome.
