Have you ever been in a situation in which you weren’t sure if you needed advice or assistance? Maybe you were hit by a car whose driver ran a red light? Maybe you were hurt on the job? Do you know what to do next? Do you know your rights? Don’t assume you have to figure out next steps on your own.
Every year, the NC Bar Association holds their 4ALL Statewide Service Day. During the event, hundreds of attorneys from across the state volunteer their time to field calls from people with legal questions, providing general advice and guidance where possible.
The 4ALL Statewide Service Day aims to help those who would otherwise not seek legal advice and to make them aware of the resources available to them to get the help they may need. This worthy program serves a real need, as many people just need a little guidance to point them in the right direction.
But sometimes, more than advice is needed. Those who have suffered a personal injury as a result of an accident or negligence often need experienced legal representation to fight for the compensation that may be provided under the law. But there’s good news: You can call an attorney and get a free case evaluation throughout the year. You don’t have to wait for the next 4ALL Statewide Service Day.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
There are many instances in which having a lawyer on your side is exactly what you need. Plaintiffs’ lawyers represent people who have had their rights violated. For the purpose of this article, I am going to focus on personal injury law, which is designed to protect you if you are injured, or your property if it is damaged, as a result of someone else’s actions (or failure to act). It’s also the area of law that my firm generally covers – and we have helped 65,000+ injured people since 1997.
I urge you to consider consulting with a personal injury attorney if:
- You were hurt, physically or mentally, by another’s negligence
(visit our Why Hire A Personal Injury Attorney page). - You were injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident
(visit our Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer page, Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney page, or Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney page). - You suffered a workplace injury or illness
(visit our Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney? page). - You were denied benefits for your disability
(visit our How Social Security Disability Lawyers May Be Able to Help page).
The best way to know if you need a lawyer is to ask. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we offer free initial case evaluations with no up-front fees for representation. This is an opportunity for us to ask about the specifics of your situation, answer some questions, and maybe offer a bit of guidance. After this evaluation, it can be a lot easier to decide how to proceed.
What Does a Lawyer Do?
To give you an idea of some of the important things lawyers do to protect the rights of their clients, here are some of the everyday tasks they perform. Once again, I am going to address these tasks through the lens of a personal injury attorney.
Evaluate Your Claim
Personal injury lawyers often offer a free case evaluation. At my firm, we don’t want to waste your time on a claim that has very little chance of getting you compensation. We’ll only take a case where we believe you may get a better result with an attorney than you would on your own.
Gather Evidence
Accidents happen at work, on the road, in stores, and around the neighborhood. When they occur, it’s important to collect as much evidence as possible to correctly portray what happened. We can interview witnesses and collect police reports, camera footage, eyewitness reports, medical reports and bills, employment records, property damage records, and other types of evidence to try to help build a compelling case.
Identify All Possible Liable Parties
It’s not always obvious who is responsible. For example, if you are injured in an accident with a truck, the trucking company, the driver, the truck maintenance company, and/or the truck owner could bear some level of responsibility for the accident. People who don’t work in the trucking industry, or who don’t represent truck accident victims, may not know this. A personal injury attorney does.
Deal With Insurance Companies
Personal injury lawyers will review your own insurance policy to evaluate the type and limits of coverage you have that may provide assistance with your claim in addition to the insurance of the at-fault party. They will also objectively evaluate any settlement offer made to you by an insurance company to assess whether the insurance company is low-balling you. They have experience negotiating with insurance claims adjusters and insurance company lawyers, which means you won’t have to.
Assess Harms and Damages
A lawyer’s extensive knowledge helps when determining short-term damages and anticipating possible longer-term damages. For example, if you’ve hurt your shoulder at work, a personal injury lawyer with workers’ compensation experience can help you understand how much compensation you’ll potentially be able to recover through a workers’ comp claim for your specific injury.
Represent You in Court
If your claim is denied or the settlement offer by the insurance company is not satisfactory, and you want to pursue the claim in court, a personal injury attorney can litigate your case.
And the list continues. At my firm, the bottom line is: We fight hard to protect your rights and try to get you as much compensation for your harms and losses as we can, as quickly as possible. Take a look at these client testimonials to see what we were able to achieve for some of our clients.1
How Can a Lawyer Reduce Your Stress?
Having an attorney on your side can take much of the burden off your shoulders in a trying time. Whether you’ve been in an auto accident, hurt on the job, denied Disability benefits, or harmed by another’s negligent actions, experienced personal injury attorneys like the ones at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Adhere to timelines
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Submit claims properly
- Follow procedures
Allowing an attorney to handle these activities also allows you and your loved ones to focus on healing.
When Do You Get a Lawyer?
Exactly when you make the final decision to retain a lawyer will depend on your specific circumstances. However, you can obtain a free case evaluation whenever you want. I advise you to take advantage of this opportunity, and call 1-866-900-7078 or contact us today if you think you may need legal assistance. Our lines are open 24/7.
Here are some resources to help you through the process:
- Video: Personal Injury Basics for North Carolina
- Checklist: Questions to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
If you decide to enlist the aid of an attorney, I recommend choosing a firm with a solid reputation. And while you are at it, check out some of the awards the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has been given.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
Many people assume that they can’t afford an attorney. Fortunately, this is usually not true! At my firm, you pay nothing up front, and we only charge an attorney’s fee if we’re able to get you compensation for your case.2
You pay us out of the potential compensation we recover for you, not out of your pocket. And as you can imagine, this motivates us to work quickly and efficiently for you.
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