Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
It’s a common question if you been injured in a variety of situations, from car accidents to slip-and-fall situations.
If you’re asking, the answer is likely yes. It never hurts to consult with an attorney to see if you have a case.
Having a lawyer on your side makes the fight fair. Your attorney can help you earn a larger settlement and go up against tough corporate lawyers.
Check out these situations where you should contact a personal injury attorney.
Severe Injuries
The severity of your injuries can be a determining factor in whether or not you need an attorney.
When you’re severely injured, your costs for medical bills, missed work, and other expenses add up quickly. It’s often difficult to tell exactly how much medical treatment you’ll need or how long your recovery will take.
The at-fault party’s insurance company might offer you only a small part of what you truly deserve when those costs start to add up quickly.
A personal injury attorney can ensure you get a fair amount for your injuries based on the severity and recovery time. The type of injuries you suffer and the effect it has on your life can play a major role in determining the financial compensation you should receive.
Permanent Injuries and Disabilities
Whether or not your injury is severe, if it causes a permanent disability or issue, an attorney can help you seek compensation for the long-term effects.
Those long-term injuries might affect your way of life or your job. They could result in a major loss of income over time.
An attorney can help calculate the financial losses you’ll suffer from those disabling injuries. This can ensure you get proper compensation.
Clear Negligence on Someone Else’s Part
If someone else was clearly negligent and that negligence led to your injury, hiring an attorney is a good option.
This includes things like accidents that were caused by a defective car part. The manufacturer could be held liable for the defective part if it caused an accident.
Even if it’s obvious to you that someone else is at fault, that party’s insurance company might try to deny it, discredit you, or put the fault on you.
Your attorney will investigate the incident to help determine liability. Personal injury lawyers know what to look for in the documentation and evidence to show that the other party is responsible.
Unclear Fault
Sometimes it’s not immediately clear who has liability for the incident. If there’s any room for ambiguity, the other party’s insurance company will fight to get out of paying.
Things can also get complicated if there are several parties involved, especially if more than one of them could be at fault. When multiple people are injured, the settlement offers could be lower.
Dealing with multiple insurance companies can be complex. It’s easier to have an attorney to help determine liability and communicate with the different companies.
If multiple people get injured and you’re partially to blame, that could affect your settlement. Your attorney can help if you’re faced with claims from other involved parties.
Bills Associated With the Accident
Are you receiving a mounting pile of bills as a result of the incident?
Medical bills and repair bills for property damage are common expenses.
You might also miss out on pay if your injuries cause you to miss work.
If you have lots of bills associated with the accident, it could be worth contacting an attorney. The lawyer can help you get a settlement that will cover those expenses.
Attorneys are also skilled at estimating future expenses if your medical needs are ongoing. You might underestimate your actual financial needs if you handle the settlement yourself.
Insurance Company Won’t Pay
Insurance companies aren’t always easy to deal with. They’re only out to protect their own bottom line, which means paying out as little as possible.
The at-fault party’s insurance company might offer a very low settlement amount, hoping you’ll accept without a fight.
Once you sign the paperwork, you agree not to pursue any other legal actions or financial compensation. It’s important not to accept a settlement without being sure it’s adequate.
If you contact a personal injury attorney first, you can ensure you’re getting the highest amount possible.
If the insurance company doesn’t want to pay anything at all, your attorney might be able to get you a settlement.
Your attorney can also help if you’re trying to negotiate with the insurance company but aren’t getting anywhere. Insurance companies might try to stall during negotiations to push you to give in at a lower settlement amount.
Personal injury attorneys know how to deal with the tactics insurance companies use to get negotiations moving again.
They’re also likely more assertive in their communications than you would be. This can help things go in your favor.
It’s also easier to let your attorney handle the communications with the insurance company. You don’t have to get your hands dirty or deal with difficult insurance company representatives.
Confusion About Options
Are you unsure about how to proceed or what the rules are for your personal injury suit?
Every state has differences in their personal injury laws, including how long you have to file a claim. For example, in California, you have two years from the time of the injury to file a lawsuit.
Hiring an attorney ensures you follow the laws and don’t miss out on your opportunity to file a claim. Your attorney knows all of the little details of the law and understands what needs to happen to get you the settlement you deserve.
If you handle the situation on your own, you might miss certain details that keep you from getting your full settlement. You’ll also spend a lot of time researching the laws on your own.
Learning about your options from an attorney is much more time-efficient. You’ll have all of the options presented to you without spending hours researching yourself.
Answering Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
With these situations in mind, you can answer, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” for yourself. If you’re still unsure, the best way to find out is by contacting a reputable personal injury attorney.
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