Montgomery, OH Personal Injury Attorney
Injuries mostly happen when someone neglects their duty of care. In that case, as the injury victim, you may be eligible for compensation if you can prove that the other party acted negligently. To do that, you will need the help of a personal injury attorney.
At N.P. Law, we have helped countless injury victims hold the other party responsible for their injuries. You can count on our experienced team of personal injury attorneys to fight for your rights at your lowest moments, allowing you to focus on recovering from the injuries sustained.
Our law firm handles a wide range of injury cases, including:
Call us today for a case evaluation if you or your loved one has suffered any of these kinds of injuries. We might be able to get you the compensation you need.
Personal Injury Claim Process Explained
Here’s how the claims process works after an injury:
Calling 911
When you get injured due to someone else’s negligence, the first thing you need to do is to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. This is because your health comes first over anything else. Next, remember to request police officers at the accident. This step is crucial – do not ignore it even if the other party requests you to leave law enforcement out of it.
When police officers arrive at the accident scene, they will collect important details about the accident, such as the name and contact information of those involved, including witnesses, details of the accident, description of the damages, witness statements, and so much more. This information comes in handy when negotiating a reasonable settlement with the other party. In addition, it helps prove specific details about the accident since insurance companies are more likely to believe a police report than your statement.
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
When you visit a doctor, they will examine the severity of the injury and recommend the best treatment. The healthcare provider will also write a report about your injuries. This report comes in handy when filing a claim against the other party. Additionally, seeking medical attention allows medical professionals to provide treatment for injuries early enough. For example, internal bleeding can lead to a slow death if not treated early enough. For this reason, it is always advisable to seek medical attention right after the injury, even if you feel sick.
In both Ohio and Kentucky, it is always advisable to see a doctor no more than 72 hours after the accident. Although you may still be able to file a claim if you sought medical attention more than 72 hours after the accident, it will be much more difficult to convince the insurance company that you were seriously injured. Instead, the insurance provider could easily claim that your recent injuries are not related to the accident caused by their insured.
In that case, you will bear the burden of proof, meaning it will be your responsibility to prove that the insured’s negligence was the reason you got injured. While an attorney can help you prove this element, not seeking immediate medical attention makes the case even more complicated.
Gathering Evidence
The next step is to collect important evidence. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help gather the evidence you need to prove the other party’s involvement in your injuries. We understand that you may not have time to gather evidence when you suffer severe injuries in such accidents. You’ll probably be riding on the back of an ambulance on your way to the emergency room or still in shock after the accident. While it is always advisable to gather as much evidence as possible, our attorneys can help you throughout the process.
Determining Liability
We will also help determine the party responsible for your injuries. Once we have identified the liable party, we will build a strong case against them. This may include but is not limited to interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, studying surveillance videos, and so much more. The exact evidence required to prove liability varies from one incident to another.
Filing a Claim
Once we have determined liability and gathered strong evidence against the other party, we will file a claim against them. Our attorneys will assess your injuries even further and calculate a favorable settlement. Depending on the type of injury suffered and the impact of the injury, you may be eligible for compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- And more
Negotiating a Settlement
After establishing what you may be entitled to as compensation for your injuries, we will begin negotiations with the other party. Most insurance companies are always willing to negotiate out of court. However, there is always a possibility that they might refuse to cooperate. This explains why our attorneys are always prepared for all things but ready for anything.
If they refuse to settle the claim out of court, our attorneys will file a lawsuit in court. Once the case goes to court, it changes everything.
You do not have to worry about settling the case in court. With more than 10 years of experience dealing with insurance companies, you can count on us to walk you through the steps. We know what to expect from the other party when we file a lawsuit against them. We can predict their defenses. For this reason, our attorneys are always ahead of the game.
How Do You Choose a Personal Injury Attorney?
Let’s face it: there are many personal injury attorneys and law firms all over Ohio and Kentucky. But not all injury law firms or attorneys you come across will serve your best interests. Knowing what to look for when choosing the ideal legal representative for your injury case will significantly impact your case. Here are some crucial tips to consider:
Experience
Since personal injury cases usually involve huge sums of money as compensation for various injuries, you need an attorney with experience handling such cases. A skilled personal injury attorney will prepare a strong case against the other party, helping you secure the compensation you need and deserve.
In addition, such attorneys know what to expect from the defense and how to prepare for such scenarios. They can also help maximize your claim. For example, if you got injured in a car accident, there is always a possibility that more than one party might be responsible for your injuries. Here’s why:
Suppose a drunk driver runs a red light and hits your car from behind, sending it flying off the road and landing in a ditch. In that case, you may be able to sue the car manufacturer if the airbag fails to deploy as it should. This could be a case of a car accident and product liability. The bottom line is that an experienced attorney can create the perfect legal strategy to maximize your claim.
Availability
Time is one of the most important things a personal injury attorney can give to their clients. When seeking justice, the last thing you want is to work with an attorney who does not have the time to handle your case. At N.P. Law, we value our clients. Our attorneys know that experience means nothing if they do not dedicate their time to serving their client’s needs. That is why we have strong attorney-client relationships.
A Focus on Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury is a broad area of law. You need an attorney who focuses specifically in handling your type of case. For example, if you slipped and fell at a grocery store, you will need to talk to a slip and fall attorney. Similarly, if you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, a wrongful death lawyer is the best person to handle such a case. At N.P. Law, we practice a wide range of personal injury cases – whether it is a case of wrongful death, car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or anything in between, you can always reach out to us for a free case evaluation.
Honesty
You can always tell when your attorney is not being honest with you. You do not need to be a legal expert to know this. For instance, if an attorney promises to recover a certain amount of money even before evaluating the circumstances surrounding your case, this could be the first warning sign that you’re dealing with a dishonest lawyer.
At N.P. Law, honesty is the foundation of our practice. We do not have a one-fits-all approach to personal injury cases. When you contact us for a case evaluation, we will give you our honest opinion. And if we cannot handle the case for whatever reason, we will refer you to someone who can.
Payment Structure
It is important to know well in advance how the attorney or law firm charges for their services. Do they charge hourly rates or upfront fees? Will you need to pay a consultation fee before talking to an attorney? Many personal injury law firms and attorneys charge a contingency fee, meaning you do not pay anything unless they win. It is important to understand the payment structure right from the initial consultation.
Reviews and Referrals
Does the attorney have any reviews or referrals? Have they handled similar cases before? What is their track record with such cases? These are just some of the many questions you need to consider when looking for the right legal representative for your case.
What Is My Injury Claim Worth?
As mentioned before, the actual amount you may be entitled to as compensation for your injuries depends on several factors. Avoid attorneys who promise to recover a certain amount of money without reviewing your case. To put things into perspective, here are some factors that could influence the value of your claim.
Severity of the Injury
Your attorney will review the severity of the injury when calculating the value of your claim. In most cases, severe injuries, such as those requiring surgery attract higher compensation than mild injuries.
Impact of the Injury on Your Life
How did the injury affect your life? This question will come to play when evaluating the value of your claim. For example, suppose you were an athlete and lost both legs due to an injury. In that case, you may not be able to compete professionally anymore, meaning you may be entitled to higher compensation to cover the loss of earning potential.
Expenses Involved
Your attorney will review expenses such as the cost of treatment, transportation cost to and from doctor-recommended appointments, cost of caregiving, lost wages, and so on. In addition, if you lost a loved one, the attorney will include expenses such as funeral costs.
Steps Taken After the Injury
Most people do not realize that whatever they do after the injury significantly influences the amount they may be entitled to as compensation for the injuries. For example, if you do not report the injury to the relevant authorities right away, the insurance provider could easily claim that their client had nothing to do with it. The same applies if you fail to seek medical attention after the injury – the other party will argue that you were not injured in the first place.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney from N.P. Law For a Case Evaluation
Personal injury cases are complex. The hectic and confusing paperwork aside, there is no one-fits-all approach to these kinds of cases. That is why it is always advisable to speak with an attorney before filing a claim with the other party’s insurance provider.
At N.P. Law, we can help you understand rights you never knew you had and find the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We are here to help you!
