Many people fail to file personal accident claims on time because they don’t know when they should talk to a personal injury lawyer. Personal injuries are commonplace and the time to call a lawyer is when you think that yours were caused by the negligence of a third party. One of the most common personal accidents is slip and fall incidents. Imagine that you are shopping in the mall when you slip, fall and break a bone or are otherwise hurt. You look around you only to find that the floor is slippery because it is wet. Someone is responsible for keeping the floor in the mall dry and that person can be sued for compensation for your physical and other injuries. Here are other common examples of when you should call a personal injury attorney:
- When you have been involved in a car accident it is very important to call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Many people who are involved in minor collisions exchange insurance information and walk away. What if you go home only to realize that the accident left you with serious injuries? What if you wake up the next day and realize that you suffered whiplash that left you unable to work for days? By walking away from the accident without contacting a personal injury lawyer you reduce the chances of winning your case.
- If your child is injured in school or in a child care facility you can talk to a personal injury lawyer about your options for recourse. The school is legally expected to take measures to ensure that there are reasonable safety measures in place to protect students, so if, for example, your child is injured in the school gym because of faulty equipment you can hold the school liable.
- If you are injured in public transportation, such as a bus or a train you can file a personal injury suit. City transportation is expected to have measures in place to ensure the safety of all those who use it – the drivers should be trained, experienced and competent and the vehicles should be well maintained. If your lawyer can prove that the management of the public transportation was negligent there is a god chance that you will get sizeable compensation.
How much can you expect to get in a personal injury suit?
The amount of compensation can vary depending on many factors. The extent of your injuries is the first thing that your lawyer will take into account when coming up with an amount. If, for example, you broke your arm and were not able to work for six months your compensation will include all the missed earnings during that time. If, however, you didn’t miss work because of your injuries your compensation may only cover your medical bills. It is important to keep all documentation related to your injuries and treatment as it will be used to come up with a compensation amount and can also be presented as supporting paperwork in case your case goes to court.
Are personal injury lawyers expensive?
Many people will not file a personal injury claim because they are worried about what a personal injury lawyer will cost. Here is what you should know – in personal injury cases your lawyer only gets paid if he wins your case and you get some money. They typically get about 30% of what you are awarded. This keeps them motivated – they will do all they can to make sure that you win your case. You will be charged for expenses too, but good lawyers pay for them upfront and then deduct them from your compensation figure.
