What is Personal Injury Law?
Personal Injury Law covers situations in which a person has suffered physical harm, usually because of an accident. If it was a car accident, the need for a Personal Injury Lawyer will arise to ensure an insurance company compensates for the injury in a way and in an amount consistent with the injury. Lost income, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs areas where a lawyer can help ensure the injured person is treated fairly.
If injuries are expected to be permanent, a Personal Injury Lawyer will seek to obtain a settlement large enough to provide for a lifetime of care if that is what is needed.
Personal Injury Lawyers are not just experts at understanding insurance contracts, determining who was at fault in a particular situation, and negotiating aggressively with insurance companies. They are also Litigation Lawyers who will not back away from going to court if that is necessary to get the support their client needs.
When Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you or a family member has been injured in any accident, not just a car accident, give careful consideration to hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer sooner rather than later. Don’t wait for a “definitive” medical prognosis about whether injuries are likely to be temporary or permanent. A lawyer will work with medical professionals to ensure their reports are not unintentionally worded in a way that might reduce your entitlements later on. And certainly do not sign anything related to insurance coverage without reviewing the document thoroughly with a Personal Injury Lawyer.
A note about workplace injuries. The “insurance company” in such cases is the Workers’ Safety and Insurance Board, a government agency that has been in existence for over 100 years. But do not make the mistake of thinking that just because the WSIB is a government-funded insurance plan, you do not need a Personal Injury Lawyer. Put simply, you do, even if someone tells you otherwise.