Deciding to sue someone after an accident requires careful deliberation. Victims often fail to act after an injury, impacting their ability to recover a settlement. Alabama laws give you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for common situations. You may assume that the deadline is long, but that’s a delusion. Regardless of the type of your case, you have to investigate immediately and collect evidence and critical information to prove your claim. The question here is whether you need a Huntsville personal injury lawyer. We take a look at situations that demand legal expertise.
You don’t understand the legal options
People don’t think of personal injury laws until they end up in a situation. You may find numerous articles covering laws in Alabama, but most of it is banal and basic information. You need bespoke solutions that are specific to your case. Also, knowing the legal options is critical to determine the idea way ahead. In some situations, insurance claims are enough, while in other cases, you may negotiate with the other party directly. While most personal injury cases are settled without a trial, you have to prepare for the challenging path ahead. An attorney will not hold back if they think your case needs to go before a jury.
When your injuries are severe
If you survived a minor car crash with just a few bruises, you don’t have much to worry about. Your personal insurance can cover the losses. What happens if you suffer serious bodily injuries? Firstly, such claims are hard to assess, and most victims undermine the worth of their case. Also, you can recover non-economic damages for your stress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, which are hard to evaluate. Insurance companies do everything to downplay claims, and the other party will certainly want to deny their role. Without an attorney, you are likely to settle for a lower amount than ideal. Lawyers have ways to check whether a case is worthy enough, and when they agree to work for you, they will negotiate on all aspects.
There is no clarity on liability
One of the toughest tasks is to determine and establish that someone else is at fault for your accident. It is easy to blame the other party, but unless you have evidence, you cannot sue them. Things can be even murkier when there are multiple people involved, as there could be more than one party to your claim. In such situations, hiring an attorney becomes even more critical. As you recover, your lawyer will do a few things like –
- Visiting the scene of the mishap or your injury to find valuable evidence and pictures
- Look for details from other sources, such as camera footage from nearby buildings
- Find and talk to witnesses to get statements, which will help establish facts
- Get documents that are necessary for the case
- Review what the other party has to find loopholes in their case
Research well before finding an attorney
With numerous law firms in Huntsville, it can be tough to pick one. Start by evaluating what the lawyer specializes in and whether their experience aligns with your case goals. You should be picky because your claim is at stake, and there is no room for error. Check the track record of the attorney and ensure they have trial experience. You may also want to look at online reviews and feedback from other clients besides getting direct references.
Consult an injury lawyer in Huntsville; nonetheless, considering the first meeting with an attorney doesn’t cost much, you get to know the intricate details and laws better.
