Injured By Someone? 7 Signs You Should Pursue a Lawsuit
When you’ve been harmed by someone else’s negligent actions (or inaction), you have the option of filing a lawsuit to recover damages. However, if you don’t like the idea of pursuing legal action, you may want to reconsider. While not every situation warrants a lawsuit, in some cases, it’s the only way you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
Whether you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, a car crash, or you’ve suffered an injury because of medical malpractice, here are the top signs you should file a lawsuit immediately.
1. You have bills piling up
Having bills pile up is the number one reason to file a personal injury lawsuit. You shouldn’t have to go into debt, collections, or take out a loan because someone else caused you harm. If you’ve got mounting medical bills, household bills, or any other expenses that you can’t pay because of your injury, a lawsuit can provide you with the money you need to get and stay current.
In most cases, there’s little to no chance that the responsible party will compensate you outside of a court order. If you’re worried about having to navigate the court system alone, an experienced injury attorney advocating for you will make all the difference. You won’t need to do any of the heavy lifting, and your lawyer will guide you through the entire process. It’s not worth risking having to file for bankruptcy. You have every right to hold the other party legally responsible and recover financial compensation.
2. You’re missing work
If your injury makes it difficult or impossible to work, that’s a good sign that it’s time to file a lawsuit. Even if you’re receiving disability benefits from your employer, that may not be enough. If someone else’s negligence is forcing you to lose part or all of your income, a lawsuit is a valid pursuit.
3. You suffered significant damages
If you can prove you’ve suffered significant damages, a personal injury lawsuit is worth pursuing. Serious damages include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and loss of future income. Minor injuries, like scrapes or bruises may not qualify, but you should always talk to an attorney before making that determination yourself.
4. The other party acted recklessly or intentionally
Genuine accidents happen, and you may not want to file a lawsuit against a friend who accidentally hurt you without malice. That’s understandable. However, if the other party acted with negligence, recklessness, or the intention to do harm, that’s a good reason to take this to court.
Negligence is carelessness, like failing to maintain a safe property or warn visitors about the known hazards. For instance, if you went to someone’s house to get something you bought on Facebook Marketplace, and you fell into a giant hole and broke your ankle, that could be the owner’s fault if they knew about the hole and didn’t warn you about it.
Recklessness is an extreme disregard for safety, like drunk driving. For example, if someone tries to engage you in horseplay and tases you, that could be considered reckless. And of course, intentional harm is where a person means to cause damage or physical injury, like physical assault.
5. You’re still within the statute of limitations
If you waited a while but have finally decided to take action, as long as you’re within the statute of limitations, move forward. Deadlines matter, so don’t waste any time. If the statute of limitations hasn’t run out, file your lawsuit right away.
6. You’re getting lowball offers
Whether the lowball offer is coming from the responsible party or an insurance company, you deserve a fair settlement. You don’t have to accept an offer designed to make you go away as cheaply as possible. If you can’t negotiate a fair offer, going to court may be the only way to force financial accountability.
7. You have solid evidence
Perhaps the best reason to pursue a lawsuit is when you have solid evidence to back up your claims. This can include medical records, police reports, witness statements, CCTV footage, and anything else. If you have a strong case, an attorney will be more likely to take your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
Know when to stand your ground
At the end of the day, pursuing a lawsuit could be the only way to get justice for your injury. Money won’t make you heal any faster, but it will pay the bills and provide you with the financial security you need to focus on healing.
