When you need a personal injury attorney in Appleton, you or someone you love has probably had your life disrupted because of someone else’s negligence. You now face many expenses because of your injury, and our team wants to make sure you don’t foot the bill out of pocket when you weren’t at fault.
Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers has been representing injured people in Appleton for more than 20 years. We will fight to get you the compensation you’re entitled to, whether that’s through a settlement or taking your claim to court.
Personal injury claims are about more than just payments; they’re about fairness. It’s our job to demand fair treatment on your behalf.
Call Appleton personal injury lawyer Brian Hodgkiss at 920-222-2222 or fill out our online contact form for a free, no-obligation case review. Let us help you explore your legal options.
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Clients come to us during some of the most challenging times in their lives. We get to know them and look for ways we can help make their lives easier. That starts by demanding fair compensation from insurance companies.
Insurance companies typically want to pay the least amount of money possible to injured victims. Many people don’t realize that they aren’t obligated to accept the insurance company’s initial offer. However, some victims just want to put their accidents behind them, so they take the first offer insurers make. This can be a big mistake.
Once you realize the true value of your claim, you can see why quickly accepting an offer presents even more problems than it solves.
That initial offer that may come just days after your injury is often far less than you deserve for the medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering you’ll encounter.
We can help you determine how much your claim is worth, so you’ll know the best path forward. Contact Appleton personal injury lawyer Brian Hodgkiss today for a free case review.
Some firms refer personal injury cases to other attorneys or hand off clients to associates. At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, you work directly with Brian and our team.
The best way to get you maximum compensation is to know how your injury disrupted your life, which means getting to know you as a person and truly listening to your story.
We want all our clients to feel comfortable with an offer before accepting it. We’ll give you our advice, but we empower you to decide when the offer is best for you.
After a serious injury in Wisconsin, you have three years from the time of the injury to file a compensation claim. This three-year period is called the statute of limitations.
Though it’s important for an injured person to understand the amount of time available, it’s equally important to understand that you should still act quickly after an accident.
In the months, weeks, or even days after an injury, you’ll be presented with opportunities to maximize the value of your claim, such as keeping records of your expenses and seeking medical treatment.
There are also pitfalls that can minimize the value of your claim, such as going back to work when you’re still injured or speaking to someone else’s insurance company representative.
Finally, waiting too long to call an attorney can put you at risk of the statute of limitations expiring, and when that happens, you’ll be legally unable to pursue compensation.
In other words, the sooner you’re proactive about protecting your rights after an accident, the better you’ll be positioned for fair compensation.
Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help. Let us handle the process for you and avoid common mistakes people make after an injury.
The mistake: Not seeking medical treatment after an injury.
Whether you’re simply not the type to admit when they’re hurt or you dread seeing doctors, remember that your livelihood could depend on your willingness to get medical attention.
Not only is it best for your health to seek treatment, it also establishes a record of what your injuries are and when they occurred. If you have even the slightest indication you are injured, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
The mistake: Speaking to another party’s insurance company.
After a serious accident or injury, you might be contacted by a representative of the at-fault party’s insurance company. They will want you to make a statement about the incident that caused your injuries. They’ll then use your words against you to reduce the offer they make or to deny your claim completely.
YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO SPEAK TO THEM. Tell the insurance company to contact your lawyer instead.
And when you report your injury to your own insurance company, such as in the case of a car accident, stick to the facts of what happened and never admit fault. You may be eligible for compensation from your own coverage, but making certain statements could disqualify you.
The mistake: Accepting an insurance company’s offer without knowing the true value of your claim.
Insurance companies know that injured people are vulnerable. They also know that many people will accept an offer quickly out of desperation.
You won’t know the true costs of your claim until you’ve been thoroughly treated, and you’ve had time to recognize the impact of an injury on your ability to earn an income. Don’t accept an offer before you know all the facts and have spoken to an attorney.
The mistake: Posting on social media.
Under no circumstances should you post anything about your injury or accident on social media. Even posts and photos unrelated to your injury could be scrutinized by insurers to reduce the value of your claim.
Don’t give insurance companies the opportunity to deny your claim or offer you less than you deserve. Stay off social media until your claim is resolved.
The mistake: Not contacting an attorney after your injury.
As a personal injury law firm, we see this mistake a lot. An attorney can deal with insurance companies on your behalf. They can help maximize the value of your claim and spare you a great deal of time, stress, and costly mistakes.
Even if you’re unsure about the possibility of filing a claim, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Schedule a free case assessment with an attorney today to explore your legal options.
At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we help clients in Appleton with several types of injury claims, including:
If you have questions about a personal injury that doesn’t fall into these above categories, we want to hear from you. Simply contact our firm to schedule a free case assessment.