Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Defense
If you were to tell someone you hired a personal injury lawyer, he or she would most likely ask you about your injuries. It is common to think of the injured person, the plaintiff, as the one who will hire a lawyer to sue the defendant, or the defendant's insurance company. However, if you are the defendant, it is a good idea for you to have legal counsel too, and for it to be someone experienced in personal injury cases. Here are a few reasons why you should choose a lawyer with this specialty to defend your side of the case.
Go After Your Insurance Company
The plaintiff's attorney is going to try to make your insurance company pay. This could be your auto insurance, homeowner's or renter's insurance, or your business insurance. However, when the insurance company tells the plaintiff's lawyer that you did not have that type or adequate coverage, this lawyer is going to come after you for more money. When you have a personal injury lawyer defending you, the odds are high he or she has worked with your insurance company before and knows how they respond to things. If they have special clauses or wording in their policies, an attorney experienced with it has a better chance of working around it. While any lawyer can interpret the law and read a contract, knowing in advance what may come up can be a big help.
When Insurance Doesn't Cover It
Sometimes, however, insurance does not cover the expenses of the accident. When this happens, the plaintiff has the right to sue you personally. Having someone who has worked on the opposite side, working for the plaintiff, means your attorney has a bit more insight into how the case will go. When no crime has been committed, you do not need a criminal lawyer to maintain your innocence. You want someone with experience with insurance companies, doctors and monetary settlements for personal injuries. A criminal lawyer has more experience making plea bargains to keep you out of jail but would need to do research into medical conditions and such before being as prepared as a personal injury lawyer. The more research needed, the more it is going to cost you in legal fees.
If you are involved in any type of accident that results in personal injury, hire a personal injury lawyer to defend you. In fact, you may want to do so, or at least talk to one, before you are served with any papers. The sooner he or she can get things started, and gather evidence on your behalf, the better things will be for you in the end.
For professional legal help, contact a lawyer such as Herbert E. Maxey Jr., PC.