If you’ve been injured in an accident and are unsure of when to hire a lawyer, you’re not alone. Many people are uncertain of when they need legal assistance after an accident and often wait too long to get the help they need. Generally, if an accident occurs, no matter the magnitude, it is essential to consult a personal injury law firm as soon as possible to find out if you have a claim.

Some personal injury cases are time-sensitive, so it’s important not to wait too long to get started. If you wait too long, you may miss an important deadline that could affect your case. Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today if you have any questions about hiring a personal injury lawyer.

6 Reasons You May Need to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Situations where you may need to hire a personal injury attorney immediately include:

1. You’ve Suffered an Injury

If you’ve suffered an injury that will require medical treatment, or if you’ll be out of work for an extended period, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you file a claim against the responsible party and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Additionally, you should seek legal counsel if you’ve suffered serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or permanent disfigurement. These types of injuries can profoundly impact your life, and an experienced personal injury attorney will ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages.

Finally, if you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can ever make up for the loss of a family member, filing a personal injury lawsuit or claim can help ease the financial burden that comes with funeral expenses and other end-of-life costs.

2. If another party is at fault for your injury

If you were injured in an accident and believe that another party is at fault, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. In some cases, liability may be clear, such as in a car accident where one driver ran a red light.

However, in other cases, liability may not be as clear. For example, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, your attorney must prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the premises.

If you are unsure of whether or not you have a valid claim, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we will review the facts of your case and let you know whether or not taking legal action is your best option.

3. If you want an experienced lawyer to deal with the insurance company, and negotiate a settlement

After an accident, you will likely be contacted by the responsible party’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster may try to offer you a low settlement or even deny your insurance claim entirely.

If this happens, do not accept the first offer, and do not sign any documents until you’ve spoken with a personal injury attorney. The insurance company is not on your side, and their sole goal is to minimize the amount of money they have to pay. An attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

4. Multiple Parties Are Involved in the Claim

If more than one party is involved in your claim, you will likely need to hire a personal injury lawyer. For example, if you were injured in a car accident caused by a defective tire, you may need to file a claim against the tire manufacturer.

Additionally, if a medical device injured you, you may need to file a claim against the device’s manufacturer. In these cases, it is essential to have an experienced attorney on your side who can navigate the complex legal process.

5. You’re Being Blamed For the Accident

In some cases, the responsible party may try to blame you for the accident. For example, if you were involved in a slip and fall, the property owner may try to say that you were not paying attention to your surroundings.

Do not accept the blame if this happens, and contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. States such as Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia follow the doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, if you are even partially to blame for an accident, you will not be able to recover any damages. When you hire an attorney, they will help you gather evidence to prove that you were not at fault for the accident.

6. You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to act quickly and hire a personal injury lawyer. Most states have a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for filing a claim.

For example, in Virginia, you have two years from the accident date to file most personal injury claims. If you miss the deadline, you cannot recover any damages.

Don’t wait to contact an attorney, especially if you are close to the statute of limitations. Personal injury law firms have a team of investigators who can quickly gather and preserve evidence for your case.

What Can Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Do For Me?

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish negligence and other types of liability.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has obtained more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

If I File a Claim, How Much Money Can I Get?

The amount of money you can recover will depend on many different factors. These factors include the severity of your injuries, whether you missed any time from work, and whether you have any permanent scarring or disability.

Most personal injury claims result in compensation that will cover:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage

What Are Common Personal Injury Settlements?

Personal injury settlements can vary widely, depending on the injury’s severity and the accident’s circumstances. Here is a small sample of some of the successful verdicts and settlements our personal injury lawyers have recovered for our clients:

• $15 million for a woman who was permanently paralyzed from the neck down as a result of being struck by a stray bullet.
• $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury as a result of a rear-end collision.
• $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury as a result of a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
• $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
• $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.

 See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.

Washington, D.C. Personal Injury Attorneys That Fight For You

If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.