Being involved in an accident, whether it is a car crash, a slip and fall, or any other that causes you injuries through no fault of your own, is an unsettling experience. From one minute to the next, you can find yourself dealing with pain, stress, anger, doctor’s appointments, and the frustration of not being able to return to work while you follow medical treatment to recover your health. While good-intentioned friends and relatives might recommend that you click this to hire a personal injury lawyer, you may either be confident that you will take care of your injuries and that the insurance company will give you the money you need to take care of your expenses, or you may be fearful that you might be opening a Pandora’s box by getting legal representation, committing to getting a lawyer that will charge you too much to handle your case.
Understanding the Basics
Setting aside the fact that you may or may not have suffered injuries during your accident, it is important to be aware of the importance of having someone with knowledge of the law and the legal process at this time. You will have the help of a professional who can help you form the best opinion on the best way to move forward towards a resolution of your case. With a legal mind by your side, you will be able to count on help when fighting for your rights and the compensation that you deserve. Also, the more serious your injuries are and the more complex the case, the greater the benefits that a personal injury attorney will offer you.
If you are still on the fence, read on to discover whether hiring a personal injury lawyer is what you should do.
You Suffered Injuries
If your injuries are severe, a personal injury attorney can help you get the most out of your claim or lawsuit. Don’t leave money on the table, particularly when dealing with a permanent or temporary disability or experiencing pain and suffering. When injuries are severe, your full attention should be placed on your recovery and not on the legal process.
It Is Not Clear Who Is the Negligent Party
When liability is unclear, and it is not possible to determine who is to blame for the accident, you need a lawyer by your side. In these cases, it will be up to you to prove that you are not to blame and are innocent. An experienced lawyer can help you gather all the evidence, interview witnesses, get your medical records and the police report, and build a strong case in your defense. If you are convinced that you were injured due to the negligent actions of someone else, it will be up to you to prove that the other party was negligent, and your lawyer will help you in this regard so that you can have a legitimate case.
The Insurance Company Is Not Responding as You Expected
If this is your first time dealing with an insurance adjuster, you might be surprised to discover how skilled they are at their job and how much pressure they can put on you to accept a lowball offer. As the victim, you have the right to fight to receive the maximum amount possible as compensation. Particularly when you are dealing with mounting medical bills and feeling a drain on your financial resources. Insurance companies will most likely not have your best interests at heart and will have a team of lawyers on their side. Level the field by having an expert negotiator on your side.
Having Legal Representation May Mean a Larger Settlement
Unless you are a trained negotiator, chances are that you will not receive the best possible outcome for your claim. On the other hand, statistics have shown that victims who have legal representation can end up with settlement amounts up to 40% higher than those without. And this should not surprise you since attorneys know how to implement the best strategies and what levers to pull in order to come up with the best resolution for a case. Even learning to drive a car takes time and skill; let someone with this level of skills drive this case for you.
They Work on a Contingency Basis
If one of your largest worries when it comes to hiring a personal injury lawyer is related to the cost, it will be interesting for you to know that almost all personal injury attorneys in the country work on a contingency basis. This means, to begin with, that there are no out-of-pocket costs to you at a time when you are so pressed about money. Also, it means that the attorney will receive nothing unless you win.
In addition, you are likely to receive a free, no-obligation consultation with your personal injury lawyer in which you will have the opportunity to talk about your case and get your most pressing questions answered. Your attorney will also be able to give you an idea of how much your case might be worth.
Before making up your mind as to whether or not to hire an attorney, it is important to understand how much you will have to pay them once you win. It is common for most lawyers to charge a flat fee. This can range between 20% and 40% of the amount of your final settlement award. You will have to decide if this is acceptable while taking into account that managing your own case might result in a much lower settlement amount.
If you suffered only minor injuries or no injuries at all, and nobody else suffered injuries, you might be able to handle the case on your own. You may talk to the insurance company and be satisfied with the amount you are being offered and conclude that an attorney will not be needed after all.