Person meeting with a lawyer after a personal injuryIf you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and choose to seek compensation on your own, you may not be properly compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and much more.

In addition, some claims must be filed within a short time after an injury occurs or as soon as reasonably possible. If this filing deadline passes without action by the injured party, they forfeit their right to compensation.

Contact the San Luis Obispo personal injury lawyers at Ernst Law Group for a free consultation and learn if you have a viable claim. Our team of attorneys has collected more than $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We are difficult to beat because we work hard on difficult cases. If you want an attorney who will fight passionately for your rights, contact us today.

Do I really need a lawyer to handle a personal injury claim?

Depending on the circumstances, it’s possible that filing an injury claim without legal representation could be more costly. Victims lose money when they don’t have a skilled negotiator with extensive legal knowledge looking out for them.

An attorney with personal injury experience could also help ensure that the claim is filed within the applicable statute of limitations. They can find all potential defendants involved in an accident, gather evidence to strengthen the claim, and negotiate on the client’s behalf for a fair settlement.

6 Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

1. Protect Your Rights

When filing a personal injury claim, it is crucial that you have an experienced attorney by your side.

The insurance companies are not on your side. They will be looking to pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all. If you make one mistake in the process, you could jeopardize your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries.

When you work with a personal injury attorney, they can help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, ensure that you receive adequate compensation for your injuries, and deal with insurance companies to avoid delays.

2. Maximum Compensation

In a personal injury case, the insurance company will try to settle as quickly as possible. They often first offer a settlement that is much lower than what you deserve. They know that most people need fast cash as a quick fix for the problems the accident caused.

The trouble is, that first offer won’t always compensate you for future treatment and all of the money you lost because you missed work while hurt. Plus, it’s unlikely they’ll pay you what you’re owed in pain and suffering.

An attorney who understands how insurance companies work can maximize your compensation by insisting on a fair settlement.

3. Expediting Your Claim

There are time limits in which you must file a personal injury claim. A lawyer can help you meet these deadlines and ensure that the claim is filed when it needs to be so that your rights will not be forfeited.

An attorney will also expedite the process by communicating with the insurance company and working on your behalf to move things along as quickly as possible.

4. Objectivity and Detail-Oriented

The insurance company will try to downplay how serious your injuries are. They will use every means at their disposal to reduce the value of your claim.

A personal injury lawyer can ease this process by providing an unbiased evaluation of your case, helping you receive proper medical treatment, and identifying all potential defendants who may be liable for your injuries.

5. Understanding the Process

Fighting an insurance company by yourself is not the easiest thing to do. Personal injury law can be complex. If you’re on your own, you’ll have trouble figuring out what’s going on and preparing for what’s next in the claims process. 

An attorney will know all of the legal ins and outs associated with a personal injury case. You can get answers to your questions and updates on what’s happening with your case. The information you try to research yourself may not apply to your unique situation.

6. Access to Experts

In a personal injury claim, the insurance company will hire an expert to evaluate your case and determine how much money they’ll have to pay you.

Personal injury attorneys can help you retain experts of your own so that you have a better chance at getting the full amount of compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

What does a personal injury lawyer do?

People often get injured because someone else did not take the proper care to avoid hurting them. These people should be held accountable for their actions. Without legal representation, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to seek out this compensation.

A personal injury lawyer specializes in holding negligent parties responsible for injuries that they caused. They help their clients get as much compensation as they possibly can to make their best recovery.

A personal injury lawyer can handle many cases, including but not limited to:

  • Auto accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle crashes
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Slip and fall injuries
  • Dog bites 

How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for You

When seeking out a personal injury lawyer, there are some important factors that you should look into before hiring one. If you do not carefully consider these things before signing any contracts, your case could be adversely affected.

Experience is the most significant factor to look for in an attorney. Personal injury lawyers who have extensive professional experience dealing with insurance companies are the most effective.

This extensive experience will teach them how to properly utilize strategies that can maximize their potential for success. An experienced personal injury lawyer is also able to better determine what your case may be worth and what you should expect out of the process.

Contact Ernst Law Group Today

The personal injury attorneys at the Ernst Law Group understand how difficult it can be to take on insurance companies alone. We have decades of experience holding negligent parties responsible for their actions and successfully obtaining compensation for our clients.

We focus exclusively on representing people who were injured in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.