You've been hurt in a wreck, at work or other circumstances and you're faced with the decision: do I handle the insurance company and my personal injury claim on my own, or do I hire an attorney?
There's a lot of stress that can come with this decision. You may have doubts or anxiety because you don't know which choice is the right choice. You may worry about:
- The cost of hiring a lawyer
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Sick leave and time off work
- Getting to work and renting a car
- Auto repair costs
- Pain and suffering
The list can go on. There are so many things to take care of and one mistake feels like it could ruin everything. You just want to be financially secure and healthy by the end of the process.
Here's how that can happen.
Hiring an Attorney Is More Affordable Than You Think
We can only speak for our law firm but clients are often surprised at how affordable it is for them to pursue a personal injury claim after hiring us.
We work to make sure that you aren't paying for anything out of pocket, whether it's medical bills, vehicle repair and rental costs, or insurance fees. Throughout the claim process, our case managers work with you to keep track of all your expenses.
At the end of the process, we gather up all the bills and expenses and submit them to the insurance company in what's known as a "demand package." This is where our attorneys negotiate with insurance adjusters to maximize client compensation.
Now for the best part: we offer a zero-fee guarantee. It means that we don't get paid unless you win. If we recover a settlement or verdict in your favor, our fee will be a percentage of your recovery. But if you don't recover damages, you don't owe us a penny.
We know affordability is a big hurdle for some of our clients, especially when faced with serious injuries and mounting medical costs. Our guarantee is there to help you feel secure financially and motivate us to do our absolute best to win your case.
Benefits of Hiring a Law Firm
Having a personal injury team on your side gives you the best chance to win your case. Here are some of the ways we help our clients:
- Protect rights
- Confirm insurance coverages (liability, UM/UIM, med-pay, etc.)
- Help with rental vehicles
- Recommend local doctors for treatment
- Work out medical liens with doctors for those without health insurance
- Take care of legal hassles
- Gather all medical bills and damages after treatment
- Prepare demand package
- Negotiate settlement
- File lawsuit if necessary
Our law firm acts as a buffer between you and the adjusters. You're protected from legal loopholes and tricks that the insurance company may try to pull to ignore or deny your claim.
Why You Shouldn't Feel Guilty
Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about talking to a lawyer. Insurance companies and their adjusters are in constant communication with their team of lawyers. You deserve legal help and advice too.
But don't just talk to any attorney. Speak with one who specializes in personal injury law. You need an expert to handle your case, someone who has years of experience dealing with car accident or work injury cases.
Pitfalls of Trying to Handle a Case On Your Own
Do you have the time and energy to take on the insurance company? For most people, the answer is no. And the insurance company is counting on this.
Their insurance adjusters often look for ways to undermine and deny injured victims' claims in the name of profits. They record conversations and try to ask questions that could put your case in jeopardy.
Here are some of the common pitfalls you could encounter while trying to navigate the insurance company's protective layers of bureaucracy:
- Repaying health insurance fees
- Failing to send an ante litem notice to the defendant
- Missing the statute of limitation window due to delays
- Accepting a quick check but it doesn't cover future medical needs
- Signing a medical authorization granting the insurance company full access to your entire medical history
- Misinterpreting forms or records
- Signing waivers or forms you don't understand
- Failing to secure eyewitness accounts and information
- Not filing the correct documentation the insurance company needs
- Giving a recorded statement
- Not going to the doctor
- Defendant has little to no insurance
- Aggravating a pre-existing condition during the accident
Insurance is complicated. Even if you understand how insurance works, a personal injury claim and medical treatment adds a whole other layer of complexity.
You're just one person. Don't make the mistake of trying to go it alone when there are law firms out there with resources, knowledge, and patience to act on your behalf.
We Can't Talk to You Unless You Contact Us First
You must call us because we can't reach out and contact you after a wreck or work accident (any lawyer who calls you out of the blue should be avoided at all costs - it's illegal and unethical to solicit people for legal cases).
If the insurance company isn't treating you fairly, call us for a free consultation regarding your case. It's confidential and you have everything to gain by talking to a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law.
We'll look over the facts of your case and evaluate your claim based on our years of experience and knowledge of Georgia law. Call (770) 934-8000 or contact Gary Martin Hays & Associates online today.
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