Getting injured is hard enough. Trying to recover from that injury shouldn’t be even harder.
Every year, there are 39.5 million injury cases that require medical attention in the United States. That’s a lot of people suffering pain, dealing with medical bills, and trying to get their health back on track.
The issue here…
Most injury victims only think about the short-term treatment. Long-term needs are out of sight and out of mind. But your long-term future is very important. Rehabilitation, on-going treatment, and the resources to pay for it all are a big deal.
So, that’s where proper legal assistance comes in.
In This Guide:
- Why Health Should Be Your Top Priority After An Injury
- What To Look For In A Personal Injury Attorney
- How Legal Representation Helps With Your Recovery
- Avoiding Red Flags When Hiring
Why Health Should Be Your Leading Priority After An Injury
After you suffer an accident, everything seems urgent. Bills, insurance companies, paperwork. Stress levels hit the roof.
But there’s something…
Your health is the most important factor in your life. Without receiving the proper medical care and rehabilitation, you cannot return to your normal life. You cannot go back to work. You cannot enjoy the time you have with your family. The quality of your entire life is at stake.
The mistake most victims make is rushing treatment so they can get back to work as fast as possible. This is almost always a bad idea. Recovering quickly but not completely can lead to chronic pain issues, re-occurring conditions, and further complications down the road.
The right attorney to handle your case will understand. They will get that building a strong case begins with you taking care of your physical and mental health recovery. When you hire a good personal injury lawyer in NYC, you hire someone who will coordinate closely with medical professionals and ensure that you receive proper treatment.
That’s important, right?
A skilled and qualified attorney will help you to secure compensation for all of the rehabilitation, specialist appointments, and therapy sessions you may need. Your health needs in the future are what they fight for… Not just the current medical bills.
What To Look For In A Personal Injury Attorney
Selecting the right legal representation can be a daunting task. There are thousands of attorneys out there all claiming to be the best in the field.
So, how do you choose?
You start by seeking out experience with cases similar to yours. A legal representative who primarily handles slip-and-fall incidents may not be the best option if you’ve suffered through a more complex and involved medical malpractice event. Specialization is key when your health is at stake.
There’s also this…
- Communication style: Do they explain things clearly? Can you get hold of them when needed?
- Medical network connections: Do they work with trusted and reputable healthcare professionals?
- Track record: Have they successfully helped clients receive compensation for long-term care needs?
- Contingency fees: Most work on a contingency basis. No money is paid unless they win.
The best personal injury attorneys treat your case like a health mission. They get that compensation isn’t just about the money. It’s about getting you the resources to heal properly.
How Legal Representation Helps With Your Recovery
Here’s something most people don’t realise…
A personal injury attorney is more than someone who files paperwork and negotiates a settlement. They become an important part of your recovery team. Bridging the gap between medical and legal worlds.
Picture this. You’re trying to recover from an injury. You’ve suffered through whiplash, broken bones, dislocations, and a whole host of other problems. You’re also dealing with insurance adjusters who are trying to settle things quickly and cheaply. You’re also being flooded with medical jargon and bills that you cannot understand. You’re trying to focus on healing yourself while the system is going to work against you.
It’s exhausting. It takes away energy and resources that you need to be channeling towards your health recovery.
According to CDC data, the average number of workdays lost due to non-fatal injuries was around 11 days per person per year. So, 11 days of lost income on top of increasing medical expenses. For more serious and life-altering injuries, this figure climbs even higher.
An experienced and skilled attorney can handle the legal side of things so you can focus 100% on your own recovery. They will work closely with medical professionals to ensure that your injuries have been properly assessed. They will keep track of everything needed to help you to prove the extent of your injuries.
This includes future care and treatment requirements. Many personal injury events require on-going medical treatment, physical therapy, and in some cases, lifelong assistance. Without proper legal representation, victims often accept settlements that don’t cover long-term care needs.
And here’s the kicker…
About 95% of personal injury cases settle before going to trial. Negotiation skills are key. A skilled negotiator will help you to secure a settlement that covers rehabilitation, mental health support, and future medical needs.
Red Flags To Avoid When Hiring
Not all attorneys have your best interest at heart. Some care more about a quick settlement than the long-term recovery outcomes for their clients. Others lack the medical network and connections needed to support on-going comprehensive care.
Knowing what to avoid is as important as knowing what to look for.
Here are some red flags to watch for when hiring a personal injury lawyer:
Lawyers who pressure you to settle quickly are a red flag. Your health recovery timeline is not anyone’s schedule but your own. A good lawyer will wait until you have reached your maximum medical improvement before attempting to finalise any settlements. Pushing this process too early can leave you with no money for future medical needs.
Avoid attorneys who are hard to reach or don’t communicate regularly. If they are difficult to contact and keep you in the loop during the consultation phase, how difficult will this be throughout the case? You need someone that is responsive and transparent throughout the entire process.
Be wary of unrealistic promises. No attorney should guarantee specific outcomes. They should be able to give you an honest assessment of what is possible based on past similar cases and your unique circumstances.
Lastly, you should avoid any firm or attorney that does not prioritise your medical treatment. The best personal injury attorneys have established relationships with healthcare providers. This means they will be able to connect you with specialists and ensure that your treatment is well documented.
Putting Your Health First
Selecting a personal injury attorney is not just a legal decision. It’s a health decision. The lawyer you choose directly affects your ability to receive proper care, rehabilitation services, and long-term support.
The right lawyer will ensure you receive proper medical care from day one. They will fight for compensation that covers rehabilitation, therapy, and on-going treatment needs. They will take the legal burden off of you so you can focus all of your time, energy, and resources into healing and health recovery.
That is more important than many people realize.
Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes resources. It takes support from professionals who not only understand the medical aspects of your situation but the legal aspects as well.
Remember these key points:
- Focus on attorneys who have medical network connections
- Look for good communication and accessibility
- Make sure they understand on-going long-term recovery needs
- Avoid any attorney who pushes for quick settlements
Your recovery journey is a long one. It deserves legal support and representation that prioritizes your health. Take your time to do the necessary research. Ask questions. Find representation that lines up with your recovery goals and expectations.
The compensation that you receive should support you and your health for years to come. Not just pay for the medical bills that you have today. With the right attorney on your side, you can focus on what matters most… Getting your life back.