How An Attorney Can Help After You've Been Severely Injured In An Auto Accident
Posted on: 18 August 2015
If you're recovering in the hospital from an auto accident, you are probably overwhelmed with worry about your health, future, and finances. If you face huge medical bills and will be unable to work for a long time, it's in your best interest to talk to attorneys like Lynn Jackson Shultz & Lebrun PC and find out your options. If the accident was the fault of someone else, you may be able to pursue a personal injury case. At the very least, an attorney can guide you through the process of obtaining disability benefits so you'll have some income. Since both options take a long time to complete, the sooner you start, the better. Here's how an attorney can help you.
Working On Contingency
You may hesitate to hire an attorney because you think you can't afford it. However, it's possible you'll find a lawyer to work for you on contingency. This means you don't have to pay an hourly rate in advance or as your case progresses. The attorney's fee is taken out of the award you get when your case is settled. An attorney won't take your case on contingency unless he or she is confident you'll win. This gives you peace of mind things will work out in your favor. Plus, you'll be able to get the legal help you need without having to mortgage your home or go through all your savings.
Be aware your attorney may not want to work on contingency in all situations. If there is doubt as to whether you will win, the attorney may not want to even pursue your case. And if you hire the lawyer to handle legal matters on your behalf while you are injured, such as filing for disability or bankruptcy, you'll have to pay your fees up front.
Data Collection
You'll need police reports, medical records, and eye witness statements in order to win a personal injury case. Your attorney can obtain these easily and have them examined by a professional to better prepare your case. Your legal team will probably consist of expert witnesses and maybe even a private investigator. You need all this information so your attorney can present a solid case in court.
If you need to file for disability while you wait on your case to go to court, an attorney can help gather medical documents and file on your behalf. Making mistakes when you file for benefits could delay your payments for months. It's worth it to have an attorney oversee your application and file for appeals or a hearing if necessary, so you get your monthly payments as soon as you're eligible.
Personal Representative
When you're severely injured, you won't be able to leave your recovery bed for quite a while. It might be many months before you are physically able to attend a hearing or handle your own legal affairs. An attorney can handle all these matters and represent you in all proceedings you are unable to attend. He or she can consult with you in your hospital room and keep you up to date with developments without you having to go to the office until you are able.
Depending on your particular situation, the auto insurance company may settle for an acceptable amount so you don't even have to go to court. However, if you don't have a clear-cut case, then you may have to go to trial. In the mean time, your attorney might be able to expedite your disability claim if your injuries qualify. When you apply for disability as well as pursue a financial award through a settlement or lawsuit, you definitely want the advice of an attorney to make sure the award doesn't disqualify you for disability payments. Probably the best thing about hiring an attorney when you're injured is that you can focus on your health and let a professional handle all your financial and legal matters for you.
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