If you’ve recently been injured in a slip and fall accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be wondering if you need to hire Rockford personal injury lawyers. Slip and fall claims can become complex, so having legal guidance can be helpful. Here are four signs that indicate it would be wise to hire a personal injury lawyer after your accident.
You Suffered Significant Injuries
If your fall resulted in major injuries like broken bones, head trauma, back injuries, or injuries requiring surgery, having an attorney on your side is a good idea. Severe injuries usually equate to higher medical bills and lost income if you miss work during recovery.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine full compensation you may be entitled to for factors like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, loss of enjoyment of life, and any permanent disabilities stemming from your injuries. With complicated documentation and negotiations involved, hiring a legal professional allows you to focus on healing.
The Premises Had Known Hazards
Slip and fall claims often center around whether or not the property owner was negligent in allowing a dangerous condition to be present. If there were hazards on the premises that caused your fall and the property manager was aware of them but failed to fix them, you likely have a strong case.
For instance, if you fell in a store because of a puddle by a leaky refrigerator that hadn’t been repaired properly, the business may be considered negligent. Working with an attorney allows them to conduct a full investigation into things like accident reports documenting previous falls or hazards in the same area to help prove the owner acted negligently.
The Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
You might assume once you report your accident, the insurance company will conduct a fair investigation and provide a reasonable settlement offer. Unfortunately, many insurance carriers initially deny claims or make offers well below what slip and falls are worth.
If an insurer tells you they’ve found you partially at fault, or they don’t have enough evidence to confirm negligence, hiring a lawyer immediately, so they can challenge the adjustment process is key. Experienced attorneys know how to counter unjust investigation tactics and secure fair settlements.
You’re Unsure How to Value Your Case
Putting a number on a serious injury claim can be confusing if you aren’t versed in injury law. Things like your medical prognosis, determining your total loss of income, calculating the pain and suffering element, and deciding ongoing medical costs are hard to assess without proper legal help.
Rather than risk settling for less than you deserve or waiting too long to claim time-sensitive benefits, hire a lawyer. They can accurately gauge the value of your case based on your unique situation and losses. This allows you to avoid leaving compensation on the table or accepting an amount that won’t fully cover your complete financial damages.
Your Recovery Journey is Challenging Enough
Ultimately, after suffering any fall-related harm, focusing all your physical and emotional energy on healing should be the priority. Yet complex legal, medical, and insurance processes can get in the way. Hiring a personal injury lawyer lifts those burdens, so you can devote your efforts toward getting back on your feet. With an attorney handling the details of building your injury claim, you can rest assured knowing your best interests are protected.
