After an accident in Clearwater, FL, you may be wondering if you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to help with your case. Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving injuries that were caused by someone else’s negligence. This includes car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other types of preventable accidents. Hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Clearwater personal injury attorneys have extensive knowledge of personal injury laws and legal procedures. Their role is to build the strongest case possible to prove that your injuries and other losses were directly caused by another party’s negligent actions. They will handle all communications with insurance companies, conduct investigations, determine all available compensation sources, negotiate settlements, and take the case to trial if necessary.
Do I Really Need to Hire One?
After being injured in an accident, you might think you can handle settling your claim directly with the insurance company yourself. But statistics show that people who hire personal injury lawyers receive higher settlements – on average, 40% more!
Here’s why it’s important to have a qualified lawyer on your side:
- Insurance companies make money by paying out as little as possible on claims. An experienced negotiator levels the playing field.
- There are strict deadlines for taking legal action in Florida personal injury cases. A lawyer makes sure paperwork and evidence are handled properly and on time.
- A lawyer investigates fault and the full extent of damages and evidence available that you may not even be aware of.
If your accident injuries have led to significant losses related to property damage, lost income, medical bills or other costs, having skilled legal guidance maximizes the compensation you can recover.
Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
According to the Clearwater personal injury attorneys from Winters & Yonker, the severity of your injuries is the first factor to assess when deciding if you need to hire a personal injury lawyer. Bill Winters explains that minor injuries that only required basic first aid and caused you to miss little or no work may not require attorney representation. However, statistics indicate that car accident injury claims without a lawyer average under $10,000 while represented claims recovered over $20,000.
Here are key considerations as you determine the best course of legal action after an accident in Clearwater, FL:
- Do you have injuries that require ongoing medical treatment?
- What is the total cost estimate of medical bills, property damage, lost income from missed work, etc.?
- How severe are your physical limitations resulting from the accident?
- Are the insurance companies disputing or denying fault and compensation?
If several of these factors come into play or the total value will likely exceed $10,000, it’s wise to discuss your case with a qualified Clearwater accident and injury lawyer before agreeing to any settlement offers.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney
Make sure you choose a law firm and attorney with specific experience handling accident and injury cases in Clearwater and greater Pinellas County courts. Ask questions about their success record recovering settlements for previous clients. Also choose a firm you feel comfortable with and can trust to fight to get you maximum compensation under Florida law for your losses.
The hours and energy you put into being represented by the right personal injury lawyer is well worth it when they can add tens of thousands of dollars or more to your claim settlement! Don’t take chances – get an experienced accident attorney on your side.
