HIRING AN ALBANY GEORGIA PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IN ALBANY?
If you suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence or recklessness, you may be wondering whether you want to go through the hassle of hiring an attorney and pursuing a case against the at-fault party. You may think that you can handle things on your own. Retaining a personal injury attorney to represent you is the wisest decision for several reasons.
Increasing Your Chances of a Successful Outcome in Albany
Personal injury law is complex. An experienced personal injury attorney will be aware of the nuances of the law as it relates to your claim. Because of this knowledge, your attorney will also be well equipped to use the facts of your case to develop the best argument and case strategy for your situation.
An attorney may also be familiar with the insurance companies, judges, and other attorneys with whom you may come into contact in your case. This familiarity could be beneficial when it comes to preparing for certain stages of your case. If your attorney is aware that a judge values a certain type of evidence over others, they may lean more heavily on that type of evidence than on others. Your attorney’s reputation and rapport with other involved parties could also further negotiations and make it more likely for you to obtain a satisfactory settlement.
Letting a Professional Determine the Damages You Might Be Entitled To
One of the most difficult parts of a case for those without experience is valuing damages. While you may be able to easily add up what you have paid in medical bills and how much you have lost in wages, you might not be aware of the additional expenses that can qualify as economic damages. For example, you might not know how to go about estimating future lost wages or medical expenses.
The most difficult estimates, however, come in with non-economic and punitive damages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering. How do you assign a value to that? An experienced personal injury attorney will know how much the local Albany courts typically award in pain and suffering depending on the facts. They will weigh the facts of your case against others and be able to come up with an amount to demand.
The same is true for punitive damages, which are damages meant to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious acts. You might not know whether your case would qualify for punitive damages. The harm may seem extreme and egregious to you, but whether it would be considered that way by a court is a different story. An attorney should be familiar with situations in which Albany courts award punitive damages and can determine whether it would be appropriate to seek punitive dames in your case.
Saving Yourself Time and Stress
Managing a case on your own can be extremely time-consuming and stressful, particularly if you do not have a background in the legal field. Experienced injury attorneys, like those at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, know how to get the compensation you deserve. Putting your trust into an attorney can relieve you of an immense amount of pressure. The attorney will handle all communications with other parties, saving you that valuable time as well. Further, if you just suffered an injury, you could save yourself the stress of personally handling your case, and instead devote that time and energy to your recovery.
HOW DO I SELECT AN INJURY LAWYER FOR MY ALBANY, GA CASE?
Once you have decided to hire an attorney, you may be at a loss as to who you want to represent you. There are several important considerations you should keep in mind when you are looking for a personal injury attorney.
Type of Case
The first question that you should consider is what type of case you have. Personal injury is a broad field of law, and you will want someone who has experience with cases involving the particular harm that you suffered.
For example, if you are a victim of medical malpractice, hiring an Albany Georgia personal injury attorney who only represents people injured in car accidents may not make sense. Instead, you will want to hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and familiar with medical malpractice cases. That lawyer will know what strategies to employ in your case and what types of evidence will best support your claim. They also may have a reputation and rapport with the insurance companies or other attorneys in the medical malpractice field. Your attorney’s connections could facilitate negotiations and benefit you in your settlement.
At Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, our personal injury attorneys have years of experience in a wide range of personal injury lawsuits. Medical malpractice, motorcycle, car and truck accidents, and premises liability suits are just a few of our areas of expertise.
Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Before signing a retainer agreement with an attorney, you need to be certain that you understand the attorney’s billing practices and fee structure. Many personal injury lawyers work for a contingency fee, meaning they will only be paid if your claim is successful and you receive compensation from the defendant.
Even if your attorney operates on a contingency-fee basis, you may still be responsible for the costs of the case. This may include filing fees, travel expenses, deposition fees, postage, expert witness fees, and other case-related expenses. Your attorney may bill you at the end of the case for these costs, deduct the costs along with their attorney’s fees from your settlement proceeds, or bill you periodically throughout the case as costs arise. At Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, you will not owe us anything, unless we obtain a recovery for you.
It is essential to understand this arrangement before establishing the attorney-client relationship so that you can ensure you and your attorney are each aware of your obligations and expectations.
Settlement and Trial Experience Make a Difference
One important consideration is an attorney’s success rate. In many cases, an Albany, Georgia personal injury lawyer may be able to settle the case without filing a lawsuit. This can be valuable, as it may save you unnecessary court costs and fees. However, it is also important that you select an attorney who is a competent and highly skilled litigator in case your claim cannot be settled without a trial. An effective litigator can make all the difference in the success of your case.
You may benefit from your attorney’s reputation for being an effective litigator even before you file your case. If you are in negotiations with an insurance company, for example, the insurance company may be more likely to settle for a higher amount early on if they know your attorney to be successful in persuading a judge or jury. The insurance company may want to avoid the expense of a trial that they may lose, and want to cut their losses by paying early on.
ALBANY GEORGIA PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS
If you have been injured in Albany, Georgia, you should touch base with a qualified personal injury attorney for direction. The highly experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are focused on helping injury victims in Albany, Georgia recover against those who have caused their injuries, damages and losses. We will prudently analyze your situation, determine who is potentially liable, and vigorously pursue all legal remedies on your behalf to help get you the compensation that you deserve. Reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter by calling (833) 534-2542 or by contacting us online today.