The injuries and losses you experience because of the accident can result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, and reduced quality of life. In addition to finances taking a hit, some victims experience emotional and mental trauma, especially in the case of wrongful death. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you may be able to file a claim and seek compensation for your losses.
The Advocates is a team of personal injury attorneys in Twin Falls, Idaho. We help victims of personal injury accidents navigate the claim process and recover their losses. We are well-versed in all aspects of personal injury law and are driven to protect the interest of our clients. Book a free consultation with an attorney from The Advocates to discover how you can get the settlement you deserve.
An injury that results from another person’s negligence qualifies as a personal injury. Personal injury victims can seek compensation from the responsible party to cover their medical bills and other losses.
Here are some common causes of personal injuries:
Negotiating with insurance adjusters in the absence of legal experience and knowledge may result in a reduced settlement amount for your claim. In some scenarios, this could even result in the rejection of your personal injury claim.
Insurance companies work to protect their and their client’s interests. Insurance adjusters may attempt to direct blame toward accident victims to decrease settlement amounts; some are known to exploit loopholes in the legal system to benefit the insurance company.
In order to get the settlement you deserve, we recommend you hire a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney. The Advocates is a team of skilled attorneys ready to manage your claim. We will work with you from start to finish as we file your injury claim, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and take your case to court should it be necessary. As attorneys, we can navigate every aspect of your case.
When you hire one of The Advocates’ personal injury lawyers, you have an ally with the expertise necessary to give you your best chance of a fair and equitable settlement. We work on your behalf as we handle your claim. With an Advocate, you’re more likely to win your case, and research shows case settlements are 2 to 3 times larger when represented by a lawyer.
It’s no secret that insurance companies try not to pay what you deserve for your losses, even when their client’s negligence is apparent. Insurers will attempt to persuade personal injury victims to take an early settlement. When this happens, the insurance company avoids responsibility for the long-term impacts of injuries and other damages. At The Advocates, we understand the tactics insurers use to fight paying for claims. Our team is well-equipped to hold negligent parties responsible and press insurance companies to pay fair settlements.
When you hire an Advocate, they will gather the facts and evidence related to your claim and build a case. This process typically involves examining police reports and medical records and speaking to eyewitnesses.
The majority of personal injury claims are resolved with out-of-court settlements. But there are exceptions. If an insurance company refuses to settle, you may have to opportunity to take your case before a judge.
Courtroom trials are often frustrating and stressful, even with legal representation, especially when recovering from injuries. This is why our Twin Falls attorneys do everything they can to reach a settlement. If this is not possible, every Advocate is ready and licensed to take your case before a judge.
There is a difference between attorneys and lawyers — all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. An attorney can litigate a case — a personal injury lawyer who is not an attorney can’t.
Every member of The Advocates is a licensed attorney.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in or around Twin Falls, contact The Advocates immediately. As a victim of a personal injury accident, there are several things you can do that will help your attorney as well as strengthen your case.
It’s critical that you seek medical attention immediately after you’ve suffered an injury from an accident. Doing so increases the likelihood of recovery from your injuries and may reduce the chance of long-term pain and suffering.
Certain injuries, like those sustained in car accidents or from slips and falls, are more likely to lead to head injuries like concussions or traumatic brain injuries. These, among other injury types, can have a slow onset of symptoms. In some cases, they can become fatal if not detected and treated early on.
Seeking immediate medical attention is also essential because it means your injuries are recorded by a medical professional. Your lawyer will use your medical records to prove your claim’s validity.
Your injuries play a critical role in establishing the value of your claim. Your diligence in protecting your health is equally important. Seeking medical attention immediately following an accident demonstrates you have put every possible effort into evaluating and treating your injuries. People who wait to address medical concerns have a more challenging time filing a personal injury claim because insurance companies can claim your injuries are unrelated to the accident.
It is also advisable to take photographs and videos of any injuries at the hospital and after discharge. Visual documentation can be very compelling evidence.
Your lawyer will need to know the details of your accident before filing your personal injury claim. We recommend documenting the details and facts of your accident. Do so in writing or via video/audio recording. The sooner you do this, the more likely you will remember all the details of your accident.
The responsible party’s insurer will do everything they can to pay as little as possible or reject a claim altogether. This is why accident victims should only engage insurance companies after consulting with one of our lawyers.
Typically, insurance companies will assign an adjuster to investigate personal injury and accident claims. If you are unaware of their methods, it is very difficult to identify an attempt to weaken your claim.
Our personal injury attorneys work directly with insurance companies. We deal with the stress so you can recover.
Typically, you are able to file a personal injury claim up to two years after an accident. However, there are some exceptions.
In the case of victims of surgical errors where a foreign object is left in their body, they have two years from the discovery date (rather than the incident) to file a claim. If a child is a victim of a personal injury accident, the child or their parents can file a claim up to two years from the date of the child’s 18th birthday.
Missing deadlines can result in an invalid claim. Work with your attorney to understand any unique statutes or timelines.
Anytime a personal injury claim involves the government in the state of Idaho (i.e., its offices or employees), there is a two-step process and a shorter deadline.
In the case of claims against the government, it is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney needs to file a “notice of claim,” which identifies the responsible employee or government office. Once this is done, a compensation claim can be filed within 180 days of a personal injury accident.
Not every personal injury lawyer can represent you in a court of law. Unless a lawyer is also an attorney, they are not qualified or licensed to litigate your claim. The Advocates is a team of attorneys who work with out-of-court settlements and in-court cases.
While it is impossible to predict whether you will need to file a lawsuit against an insurer before filing a claim, hiring an attorney is advisable in case your claim requires a trial. An attorney can deal with insurers as well as take care of any court proceeding.
At The Advocates, we have a talented team of personal injury lawyers able to meet various client needs.
Part of a personal injury lawyer’s job is to determine fair compensation for accident victims. The amount of a settlement is influenced by economic and non-economic factors.
Economic compensation refers to the cost of medical care, such as physical therapy and other treatments necessary for recovery. Economic compensation also includes lost wages, the inability to return to work, or being unable to function in the same role as before an accident. Damage to your property or vehicle and the costs of repairs are also considered economic in nature.
It is much more difficult to assess non-economic compensation. This category refers to the physical and mental pain and suffering you experience from an accident, such as the trauma of losing a companion due to accidental death.
No amount of money can make up for the pain and suffering someone might experience after an accident. However, many states cap non-economic damages. For Idaho, this amount is $250,000.
Experienced attorneys are able to determine the value of a case based on the accident and any long-term repercussions.
There is no cap to economic damages in the state of Idaho. However, the state does utilize “modified comparative negligence,” meaning your fault percentage dictates your claim.
If a court determines you’re 30% at fault, your claim will be reduced by 30%. However, this only applies if you’re 49% or less at fault for an accident. 50% at fault (or more) means you are ineligible for a settlement.
If you or a loved one have been affected by a personal injury accident, give The Advocates a call.
