From slips and falls and dog bites to construction accidents and auto accidents, you have certain legal rights if you receive personal injuries due to the negligence of another person. You need to find out what these are and if pursuing a lawsuit with help from a personal injury lawyer in New York is your best recourse.
If you do decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, there are certain fees and expenses that will need to be paid. Most lawyers will provide legal representation based on a contingency agreement.
In other words, you pay your lawyer nothing up front and are only required to pay them if they are able to secure a settlement or ruling in your favor should the case go to court.
In regard to your medical bills, you are responsible for these as well. Sometimes your health insurance will cover part of the expenses. Other times you can work out a payment plan or agreement where your healthcare provider will wait until you get your settlement.
We understand it can be worrisome if you focus on these fees. However, your primary focus should be on how you can secure the best settlement offer so you have money left over.
Insurance Settlement Offers: Self-Representation vs. Legal Representation
If you attempt to represent yourself, the other party’s insurance company will make a settlement offer to cover medical expenses, lost time off work, and other such expenses you incurred. The initial offer might sound good, but what you may not know is you might be entitled to a much higher settlement.
The reason insurance companies do not offer the maximum amount is that they want you to settle for the least amount possible. After all, they are businesses, and their goal is to earn profits, not pay excess money out in claims. In addition, all insurance companies have their own teams of lawyers to advise them on how to get you to settle without using your own lawyer.
If you want the best possible settlement, it never hurts to consult a lawyer. Consultations are free and help you make sound legal decisions in your best interest. Your lawyer will be honest and let you know whether any settlement you received directly is truly reasonable or if there is a possibility you could be entitled to receive a larger amount.
TIP: When selecting an NY personal injury lawyer, inquire about their recent successes. They should be able to provide you with a list so you can get an idea of the types of settlements they are achieving. Please keep in mind, each case has its own circumstances, so these figures may not be representative of the maximum amount you could receive.
Bonus Tip: Select a lawyer with expertise for your type of personal injury, such as:
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Worker’s Compensation
- Pedestrian/Bike Accidents
- Auto/Motorcycle Accidents
- Taxi/Transit Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Product Liability
- Asbestos Exposure
- Premise Liability Accidents
- Nursing Home Negligence
To find out if you are being offered a fair settlement by the other party’s insurance company or to learn about your legal rights, please feel free to contact The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. at (212) 970-6500 to arrange a free consultation today!