If you’ve been injured in an accident – or because of someone else’s actions or negligence – recovering from the injury will be your top priority. But aside from that, you may be wondering if you’re entitled to compensation, especially if you’re facing hefty medical bills and your income has dropped off due to the disruption to your usual work activities.

You could well be entitled to a significant sum in compensation, but the process you might need to go through to receive those payments can be complex, and all sorts of obstacles can stand in your way, such as insurance companies that are reluctant to accept your claim, disputes about who was at fault, or other legal complications.

This is where an experienced personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in getting you the outcome you deserve.

Having a personal injury lawyer on your side

Personal injury lawyers have spent years getting to know the ins and outs of personal injury law and every aspect of the various options for compensation. They’re familiar with insurance company tactics, and they can quickly recognise a set of circumstances where you might be best advised to sue someone for damages.

If your injury is very minor, disruption to your life is minimal and you have no trouble getting compensation that covers your costs, there may be no need to call a lawyer. But all too often, injuries that seemed to be minor at first can turn out to be more serious than you or your doctor first thought. Or it becomes clear that the insurance company’s interests are at odds with your own, and your frustrations with them add to the stress you may already be under.

If this is the case, a legal team with specialist experience in personal injury compensation can guide you through the process and work to negotiate the highest possible settlement for you.

If your injury is serious

If your case involves moderate to serious injuries, if the effects of those injuries could be long-lasting, or you’re dealing with traumatic levels of pain and life disruption, a personal injury lawyer can offer you relief from the additional strain of attending to the legal aspects of your case.

Advice from a personal injury lawyer is also vital if you can’t identify who was to blame for your accident, or if your accident – eg a car accident – happened in a different state or territory from where your car is registered.

You might also need legal advice on the time limits that apply to your case, as there are strict time limits in New South Wales as to when people can put in a compensation case for personal injury.

If permanent damage has resulted from your injuries, you may be able to claim compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. You will only be eligible for this component of compensation if your permanent impairment is assessed as being more than 10%.

If your injuries are very severe, you may be eligible for the lifetime care and support scheme, which covers medical and recovery costs as well as support for the rest of injured person’s life.

Talk to a personal injury lawyer

Calling a personal injury lawyer in the first instance can cut through the complications and put your mind at rest by having expert assistance in guiding you through the process of achieving the best possible settlement.

Personal injury compensation payments vary enormously, and there are many pitfalls to be avoided, like accepting an offer of settlement before you realise the full extent of your injuries, or trying to represent yourself and missing out on some of your options.

By talking through the facts of your case with an experienced lawyer who understands your situation, you can maximise your chances of getting the compensation you need and deserve.