When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Personal injuries often happen when they are least expected. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause long-lasting damage that affects your ability to move, work, and enjoy life for years to come.

If your life has been turned upside down because of someone’s reckless or careless actions, it is important to consult with an attorney promptly. Personal injury cases have specific time limits, and insurance companies may already be building a case against you.

The accomplished personal injury attorneys at Studinski Law, LLC have represented many clients throughout Wisconsin. We understand the challenges you may be facing after a serious injury, and we know how to effectively pursue the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.

After a serious injury, it may be in your best interest to contact a personal injury lawyer if one or more of the following circumstances apply to your situation.

You Suspect Negligence May Have Played a Role

Nearly every personal injury case involves negligence. Generally speaking, when someone’s careless or reckless actions cause injury to another person, the negligent party can be held liable for any resulting harm.

Claims centered on negligence must prove four things:

• Duty: You must first establish that the person against whom your claim is made owed you a duty. This can be the duty of drivers to act reasonably and avoid collisions, a nursing home to provide a safe environment for its patients, or property owners ensuring the safety of visitors to their premises.
• Breach: You must then demonstrate that the party breached its duty. A breach can result from an action or failure to act by the responsible party.
• Causation: You must then prove that by breaching its duty, the party caused you harm or damage. Evidence must establish that your damage or injury was “reasonably foreseeable” at the time.
• Damages: You must show the extent and nature of your damages, which can include your physical, emotional, and financial losses. These damages can be medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

You Sustained Severe Injuries

Not every injury requires the knowledge and skill of a seasoned lawyer. If your injuries are very minor, you may be able to handle the insurance claim on your own and settle your claim yourself.

However, if it is obvious that your injuries are severe, or if the pain from your injuries continues for an extended period of time and requires medical attention, it will generally be in your best interest to call an attorney promptly.

You should contact a personal injury lawyer if your injuries require:

• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Orthopedics
• Cosmetic surgery
• Chiropractic work

After being seriously hurt, it can be difficult to understand the extent of your injuries. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, can take time to fully manifest.

Even as you undergo treatment, you are focused on the day-to-day aspects of your recovery, not the hardships you may face months, years, or even decades in the future.

An experienced personal injury attorney can work with your medical team, hire experts to evaluate your condition, and fully assess your medical records. Expert testimony and documentary evidence are critical for proving the severity of your injuries and how they may affect you in the future.

You Lost a Family Member Due to Negligence

Few experiences are as devastating as losing a family member because of another person’s negligence. In addition to emotional distress and mental anguish, you may face sudden, unexpected financial burdens.

If negligence caused the death of someone close, an attorney can help you pursue justice. Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit can help you and your family cover funeral costs, burial expenses, medical bills, and more.

Wrongful death cases can be incredibly complex. After the loss of someone dear, the last thing you need is to handle a complicated legal action on your own. An attorney can guide you through the process and handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your family’s wellbeing.

Liability Is Disputed in Your Case

From negligent property owners to careless drivers, the defendants in personal injury claims generally contest liability by downplaying or denying responsibility. Additionally, they may argue that you contributed to – or are completely at fault for – the event that caused your injuries.

In cases where severe injuries are involved, or multiple parties may be held liable, such as in a trucking accident claim, a team of investigators, attorneys, and other agents of the defense will work to build their best case against you.

Without a lawyer in your corner, it can be extremely difficult to hold the liable parties accountable for their wrongdoing. However, with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer on your side, you will have a skilled advocate working on your behalf to investigate the cause of your injuries, gather evidence to support your claim, and pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve for your losses.

The Insurance Company Offers a Lowball Settlement or Refuses to Pay

Insurance companies are notorious for doing everything possible to avoid paying injury claims. An insurer may attempt to delay the claims process, deny a valid claim, or make a low settlement offer that does not reflect the true extent of your damages.

A personal injury lawyer can recognize these tactics and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. If your attorney cannot negotiate a reasonable settlement, he or she may recommend taking your case to court. 

Your Case Goes to Trial

Most personal injury claims are settled out-of-court, but if no settlement is reached and you proceed to trial, it will be crucial to seek the counsel of an experienced lawyer.

Personal injury attorneys know how to calculate and pursue the full measure of justice for their clients. They know court procedures and understand how to present compelling cases before a judge and jury.

Following a serious injury, your choice to hire an attorney will be one of the biggest decisions you will make. Your choice can make a tremendous difference in whether or not you recover the compensation you rightfully deserve. 

Contact Our Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyers

The accomplished attorneys at Studinski Law, LLC have been helping injured people across Wisconsin for decades. We know that every personal injury case is unique and requires dedicated attention from trusted legal professionals. We are committed to protecting your rights and best interests to relieve the burden that someone’s negligence forced upon you.

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Contact us today online or at (715) 343-2850 for a free case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers serve clients in Plover, Marshfield, and other areas in Wisconsin.