Invaluable Tips for Hiring a New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident and you were not at fault, then you have the right to compensation for lost wages and expenses. However, it is almost always more complicated than simply receiving a check from your insurance company. There are generally many complex issues and you will want to get an experienced New York personal injury attorney that can fully evaluate your case and help you understand what fair compensation would be.
Get a Full Understanding of Your Injuries
One of the most important steps when you’ve been injured in an accident is to get a complete diagnosis of your injuries. You will want to have the proper medical specialists review your injuries and provide insight into your outlook for a full recovery. Many times a small injury from the accident can become substantially worse if you try to return to work too early or without getting the proper treatment.
It is also tempting to accept the first offer from the insurance company because you know that you will have some bills or have to take time off work. The insurance company is not representing you or your best interest. They are trying to resolve the case for the lowest possible amount. Without a complete review of your injuries from a doctor or medical professional, there is no way to understand the full cost of your injury. If you simply accept the first offer, you may be left paying for many of these costs out of your pocket.
Document Everything
After a serious injury, it is easy to forget to document everything that happened. Most people simply want to feel better and will skip the work of documenting all the factors at play. This simple step can save you hassles and costs down the road. Take the time to properly document everything that happened when you were injured. This includes writing down everything you remember and taking pictures of the scene of the accident. You will also need to get the full account of the accident from any witnesses. Save every email and correspondence with your doctor and anyone else involved in the case. These steps can take a lot of time and energy to collect and prepare properly, but they will help protect your rights as you pursue fair compensation for any work-related injuries.
Find an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
Once you have received the necessary immediate medical care for your injuries, you will want to seek the representation of an experienced New York personal injury attorney. Personal injury law is complicated and one misstep could cost you the ability to receive fair compensation for all damages. You want to find a law firm that has represented many clients with their personal injuries successfully in settlement and trials. They will be able to assist you in the preparation and preservation of all the necessary and important documentation required to pursue the case.
Prepare a List of Essential Questions
Make a list of all the important questions you’ll need to ask before you have your first consultation with a New York personal injury attorney. You will want to be prepared to ask them about what percentage of their practice is devoted to personal injury. You should ask them about their experience with personal injury and how long they have been practicing. The right attorney should be able to explain cases like yours that they’ve handled in the past and give you a good idea of what to expect in your case. One of the most important questions to ask is about their compensation. You will want to know how they will be paid and what kind of out-of-pocket expenses you should expect. Make sure that you are completely comfortable with all their answers before you agree to have them represent you in your case.
Avoid Claim Factories
Not all attorneys are equal when it comes to effective representation in a New York personal injury case. You should avoid big firms that take almost every case for a discount fee while providing little to no personal attention to your case. Find an experienced firm with attorneys that can still provide a personal touch. The right combination of experience and attention to detail can mean the difference between getting fair compensation and taking the first offer that comes your way. Many large claim factories follow the same game plan for every case so they can complete a settlement as quickly as possible. You want to find a firm that is prepared to see your case through to a verdict when necessary. This simple difference will often give you the leverage to get a much more equitable settlement without the need for a trial because the insurance company and responsible parties will not want to risk losing a judgment.
