What Happens After You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Perth?

After a serious accident, hiring a lawyer can make the legal process feel more manageable. But what actually happens once you have legal representation?

For people injured in motor vehicle accidents in Western Australia, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) manages personal and fatal injury claims involving WA-licensed vehicles.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do After You Hire Them?

A Personal Injury Lawyer Perth clients choose should do more than simply complete paperwork. They should help you understand your rights, build your claim, and make informed decisions throughout the process.

The first step is often to understand what has happened and how the injury has impacted your life.

The best lawyer in Perth may ask:

• Crash and accident reports
• Medical records and information about treatment
• Photographs, dash cam footage
• Details of witness
• Income and employment statistics
• Costs attributed to injury
• Letters from insurers or other persons

In motor vehicle injury claims, evidence such as witness statements, police reports, camera footage and medical reports can be used in the claim assessment process.

Your lawyer will review your potential compensation.

Your solicitor will consider the facts surrounding your accident and will consider what compensation may be available.

Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation

Depending on the circumstances and eligibility criteria, compensation for a motor vehicle accident can include:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Economic losses
• Compensation for pain and suffering

Your Personal Injury lawyer in Perth will also consider matters such as contributory negligence and how this may impact on your claim. If the injured person was partly to blame for the accident, his compensation may be reduced.

This assessment matters because if you accept an early offer without understanding the long-term impact of an injury, you may miss out on addressing significant losses.

Your Lawyer Does The Talking & Negotiations

Once your lawyer has taken the claim on board, they can speak on your behalf to the appropriate insurer or other parties.

The best lawyer in Perth can prepare documents to support your case, answer requests for information and negotiate the value and settlement of your claim.

In Western Australia, you don’t need to be represented by a lawyer to make a motor vehicle injury claim. But ICWA says legal representation can help particularly in cases where a claim is complex or contested.

What If The Claim Can't Be Settled?

Not all personal injury claims will be settled by negotiation.

If the parties cannot settle the matter in an appropriate way, your Personal Injury Lawyer Perth will be able to advise you about your options to commence or defend court proceedings. They can also advise you about applicable time limits and the evidence required to support your position.

This is one reason seeking advice early can be valuable. Legal Aid WA notes that time limits apply to motor vehicle injury claims and that, in general circumstances, a claim may be barred if it is not lodged within three years from when the person became aware of the injury.

Conclusion

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident or another incident in Western Australia, Nigams Legal's personal injury lawyers in Perth can discuss your circumstances and explain the legal options available to you.