Kentucky Accident Victims: How a Lawyer Protects Your Rights & Gets You Results
An accident resulting from someone else’s careless actions, like a car crash, slip-and-fall accident, or dog bite, can upend your life in a heartbeat. Recovering from your injuries can take a severe physical, emotional, and financial toll. Don’t lose heart — under Kentucky law, you could be eligible to seek compensation for your losses. However, obtaining financial relief can be challenging without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Navigating life, paying the bills, and handling insurance claims after an accident can be stressful and overwhelming. The Kentucky personal injury lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer fight for results that make a difference in our clients’ lives. You can count on us to demand maximum compensation and accountability from the party that hurt you. We know what it takes to pursue the money you need to move forward with your life.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Actually Does (Beyond What You See on TV).
Movies and television dramas have skewed public perception of the legal profession. Working with a personal injury attorney differs from how you see it in popular media. There is a great deal of behind-the-scenes work that an attorney puts into investigating personal injury claims, estimating their value, and negotiating for fair settlements. Although courtroom drama makes for good TV, most claims get settled before they ever see the inside of a courtroom.
So, what does a personal injury lawyer do? Here’s what you need to know.
Investigates Your Case
The first step is getting to know you and your unique situation. No two accident claims are alike, so a skilled attorney should never take a cookie-cutter approach to handling your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer scrutinizes the circumstances of your situation and conducts a complete investigation into the cause of the accident.
The investigation portion of any claim is vital because this is when your attorney collects and preserves vital evidence to build and substantiate your personal injury case. Your attorney will also use the evidence to establish liability and prove fault for the accident, which is essential to achieve a successful outcome and maximize your compensation.
A personal injury attorney also takes the time to carefully interview witnesses and consult with experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical professionals who can bolster your claim through their advanced experience and specialized knowledge.
Values Your Claim
Insurance companies are in the business of making money. They won’t give you a fair estimate of the value of your accident claim. A personal injury attorney will review all crucial information and place an appropriate value on your claim that accounts for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses due to the accident and your injuries.
Accepting a speedy settlement from an insurance company is seldom in your best interest. Many insurers hope catching you in a vulnerable state will entice you to settle quickly. Here’s the truth: Initial settlement offers usually represent only a fraction of your actual financial losses. A personal injury lawyer accounts for all your accident-related expenses, including your past, current, and future needs.
Handles ALL Communication with Insurers
One of the most stressful and frustrating experiences of the claim process is dealing with aggressive or intrusive insurance adjusters. At first, an adjuster may seem sensitive to your situation and want to help you get the most out of your claim. However, the deeper you get into the process, the more you learn that dealing with insurance companies gets frustrating. Adjusters can become intimidating and aggressive as they attempt to push you toward a settlement that satisfies their needs, but not yours.
Personal injury lawyers can manage all communications between you and the insurers or other parties involved in the accident claim. You don’t have to worry about your words being taken out of context, accidentally omitting crucial information, or dealing with the stress and hassle of an adjuster contacting you at all hours of the day. You are free to focus on your recovery while your personal injury attorney handles all aspects of communication in your claim.
Negotiates for a Fair Settlement
A personal injury lawyer employs strategic techniques to counter insurance company tactics that push people into settling for less than what their claim may be worth. Personal injury attorneys are experienced negotiators who can spot a shady tactic immediately. They will build an injury claim that stands up to insurance company disputes and fight to get the money you deserve.
Represents You in Court (If Necessary)
Finally, a knowledgeable attorney can prepare a case to present at trial if a personal injury lawsuit becomes the best avenue for pursuing the compensation you need. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our legal team has extensive experience at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. We will stand up for you at trial and manage strict legal deadlines when necessary.
When Should I Definitely Call a Personal Injury Lawyer?
One of accident victims’ most challenging questions is when to consult an attorney. In truth, contacting a lawyer immediately after an accident is always best. Some of the circumstances that warrant a prompt consultation with an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney typically include cases where:
- There are severe, permanent, or long-lasting physical injuries.
- Multiple parties could be at fault.
- Insurance companies are using hardball tactics, such as denying liability or making a low settlement offer.
- You feel pressured to settle your claim quickly.
- The claim is complex.
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we’re pleased to offer accident victims a free initial consultation. During this no-obligation consultation, we take the time to get to know you and evaluate the specifics of your unique situation. Personal injury claims are fact-specific. You won’t get an accurate idea of the value or strength of your claim until you speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
Another common concern about involving a lawyer early in the process is the cost associated with legal representation. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid when we recover money for you.
When talking to a personal injury lawyer about your situation, it’s important to understand that this isn’t just a time for the attorney to familiarize themselves with your case. It is also an interview. Do you feel comfortable working with this person? Is this attorney going to have your back? Consider their communication style and whether it feels right to you. Evaluate their experience, results, and fee structure. You will be working closely with your personal injury attorney. You want to feel confident you are working with someone who is looking out for you.
It’s About Getting Your Life Back on Track
Working with a personal injury attorney after an accident caused by someone else’s recklessness is all about getting your life back on track. You deserve fair compensation that restores what you lost, including your income, the ability to return to work, and the overall quality of life. An accident can impact various aspects of your life, and medical bills are not the only expenses you have to worry about. You can experience numerous unexpected financial losses after an accident. Are you confident the insurance company will compensate you fairly?
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our compassionate Kentucky personal injury attorneys will offer practical legal advice, resources, support, and guidance to help you through this challenging time. We know what it takes to pursue the compensation you need and are willing to go head-to-head with aggressive insurers and other powerful parties to protect you. We also have a track record of getting results that count, including numerous seven-figure settlements for our deserving clients.
Ready to learn more about your legal rights? Reach out for a free consultation with a seasoned Kentucky personal injury attorney. With offices in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, and Princeton, our law firm can provide guidance and peace of mind 24/7. Call or contact us today.
