Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Suffering a serious injury is a challenging, disorienting experience. You may be facing exorbitant medical bills, time away from your job, and long-term changes to your life. If someone else caused your injuries, you may be unsure of your rights and how to move forward.

If you are facing this situation, it is in your best interest to contact a personal injury attorney right away. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC can explain your rights and legal options.

Is Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Worth It?

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in an accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you with multiple aspects of your case. Some of the ways a personal injury lawyer can help you achieve justice include:

1. Dealing with the Insurance Company

One of the most significant reasons to hire a lawyer after a car accident is to have a knowledgeable advocate on your side to handle the insurance company. While you recover from your injuries and try to piece your life back together, the insurance company is investigating your case and trying to find ways to pay you as little as possible. Insurers may even try to reach you and ask you to provide a statement within days of your injury when you are just beginning your recovery and may not know your rights.

Your best course of action is to hire an attorney who can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. An experienced lawyer knows how insurers operate and can protect your rights and interests at every stage of the process.

2. Understanding Wisconsin Laws

Personal injury cases can be complicated, and require the knowledge of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure appropriate documents are filed and deadlines are met. For example, one of the most confusing aspects of Wisconsin law regarding motor vehicle accident claims is the difference in the statute of limitations for wrongful death compared to claims involving injury. While you have three years to file a personal injury claim if you are hurt in a car wreck, you only have two years to pursue compensation in a wrongful death claim for the loss of a loved one in a crash. A seasoned attorney can help you navigate these complex issues.

3. Investigating the Accident

After a wreck, getting medical attention and contacting law enforcement are always the first priority. There are certain steps you may be able to take at the scene of the accident to begin supporting your case, such as exchanging information with the other driver and taking pictures of the scene. However, if you sustained severe injuries, you may be unable to do anything but wait for emergency medical attention.

A personal injury lawyer can investigate the facts in your case by:

• Obtaining photographs of the accident scene, including the layout of the intersection or road where the crash occurred, debris, skid marks, and other pertinent evidence
• Obtaining cell phone records (this is important in distracted driving accidents)
• Requesting video footage from traffic or business surveillance and dash cameras
• Identifying witnesses and obtaining their statements
• Requesting a copy of the police report
• Documenting vehicle damage

Thorough investigation is crucial to determining fault in the wreck and calculating damages in your claim. A knowledgeable attorney will know what to look for when investigating your accident and how to build your most compelling case. 

4. Calculating Your Damages

Economic damages, such as your medical costs and lost wages may seem relatively straightforward; however, your compensation should reflect both your economic and non-economic losses for today and in the future.

Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Unlike economic damages, which usually have a specific dollar value involved, non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. An experienced personal injury lawyer understands how to determine the value of your losses and how to pursue the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.

5. Negotiating a Fair Settlement

Insurance adjusters and attorneys that represent insurance companies are trained negotiators who know how to get injury victims to settle for less money than they deserve. A skilled personal injury lawyer will level the playing field and work to obtain damages for your past, present, and future damages.

6. Representing You in Court if Necessary

Trial proceedings are subject to several specialized rules. When accident victims attempt to represent themselves in court, they rarely achieve the maximum compensation they deserve. A personal injury attorney can effectively prepare your case and present it in the courtroom.

People who hire a lawyer typically get significantly higher compensation in accident claims than those who choose to handle their cases themselves. Knowledge, skill, and experience go a long way toward achieving a favorable outcome.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer In Wisconsin Today

The seasoned personal injury lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC have extensive experience helping injured people across Wisconsin. We understand the challenges you may be facing and we are well-equipped to handle even the most complex cases. 

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To discuss how our personal injury lawyers can help you, call Studinski Law, LLC today at (715) 343-2850 for a free case review. With offices in Plover and Marshfield, Studinski Law, LLC serves clients throughout Wisconsin.