Are you searching for a personal injury lawyer near me in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Spencer, Shelby, and Oldham counties in Kentucky? Why is it so important to have a good personal injury attorney to file and manage your personal injury insurance claim? Why should you allow your injury lawyer to handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company responsible for covering the injuries associated with your accident?
These are important questions, and they are the right questions. My name is John Schmidt, and I have served the people of Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Radcliff, Elizabethtown, Jeffersontown, and Louisville, Kentucky, for more than 25 years. Unfortunately, many people try to handle their own personal injury claims after a car accident, motorcycle or truck crash, pedestrian accident, or after being struck while they are riding their bicycle. “Why do I need a personal injury lawyer near me?” “What is so difficult, and why should I just handle this myself?”
The first reason involves the motives of insurance companies – even your own carrier. They are not “on your side” or “there for you,” no matter how concerned or friendly they seem. Every insurance representative you speak with has one job: get you to take the lowest amount possible, as quickly as possible, to settle your personal injury claim. They do everything possible to get your car fixed and make that a great experience, but ask yourself, “Why?” The answer is the property damage on your vehicle is usually less than 10% of the money involved in your valid insurance claim. They want to earn you’re your trust on that 10% so they can get you to accept far less on 90% of your claim – the medical and personal injury portion of your claim.
You may also not be aware that your health insurance, healthcare providers, and doctors may have claims and liens that they will file against your personal injury claim. Your personal injury settlement must cover all past, present, and future medical expenses, any wages you lost by missing work, rehab, future treatments, and accommodations, as well as just compensation for being forced to suffer your injuries and the recovery, as well as any remaining impact these injuries will have in the future.
You get one shot at this – they don’t keep paying out over time. Once your personal injury claim is settled, you will be responsible for all future expenses yourself. This is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer near me – why you are searching in the first place. The Insurance Industry and the IRS have both published studies that show individuals represented by an attorney receive a significantly larger settlement, several times more than those who attempt to represent themselves.
Finally, be careful what you say to any insurance company representative or adjuster. If they ask an apparently innocent question like “How are you feeling?” the answer should be “I’m shaken up.” You shouldn’t be speaking to them – it isn’t in your best interests. Many people innocently answer that type of question with “I’m ok.” They want to convince themselves, their family and friends, and their coworkers that they will be ok. Unfortunately, the insurance company can use this statement against you. “You said you were ok right after the accident. Here is the recording. Now you’re telling us you have substantial medical bills and financial claims?” Don’t give them the opportunity. Don’t speak with the insurance reps until you’ve talked to the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates. We can actually handle all those conversations for you so you can focus on healing and recovering from what has happened.
It is not in your financial, legal, or personal interests to speak directly with the insurance representatives or to try to handle your personal injury claim on your own. We can and will aggressively protect your claim and work to achieve the best possible outcome based on the available coverage and the unique circumstances of your case.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim and achieve full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries.
