If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, there are many questions that may arise around the topic. Many people wonder how their accident will affect them as well as if their injuries are serious enough to contact an attorney and build a case.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim can ensure that your claim receives proper attention and is handled in a way that benefits you.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer is a civil lawyer who specializes in tort law. Tort law is a civil wrong that occurs when a claimant suffers physical, mental, or emotional harm due to the negligence of another. Personal injury lawyers seek to acquire appropriate compensation from the liable party in order to ease the suffering of the affected claimant. There are many types of cases that may fall under personal injury cases, a few of the most common are:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Slip and fall
- Product liability
- Premises liability
- Workplace accident
A personal injury lawyer needs to prove that the accident was due to negligence on behalf of the liable party. Some cases are easier to prove than others. For example, proving a slip and fall might be easier than proving that medical malpractice occurred.
When Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you have been involved in an accident, it is advised that you contact an attorney immediately after seeking medical attention. Most likely, while you are recovering and piecing together what happened, the insurance company has their own lawyers investigating your accident. The insurance company’s attorneys will be trying to gather evidence to disprove your claim and have plenty of experience doing this. If possible, contact your own personal injury attorney before speaking with the insurance company to get a leg up. Your lawyer will know how you should communicate with them in a way that doesn’t harm your case.
If you are confused about whether you have a case, you should contact a personal injury attorney when:
- You have suffered extreme or life-altering injuries.
- Those around you have been impacted by your injuries.
- You have missed ample amounts of work due to your injuries.
- Your injuries have resulted in hospitalizations and surgeries.
- An insurance provider doesn’t give you appropriate compensation for your accident.
The earlier you contact a personal injury attorney, the better and stronger your case will be. Additionally, hiring your own representation shows the insurance company that you are taking your case seriously.
Why Should I Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many important reasons why you should hire a personal injury lawyer. Some more well-known reasons may be that a personal injury attorney is well-trained and has experience handling cases like yours. However, there are many other important reasons why you should hire a personal injury lawyer such as:
- You will most likely receive a higher payout- Insurance companies will try to settle the case as soon as possible and offer the claimant much less than they deserve to make the case go away. Many people will take this offer without fighting for more. On average, personal injury lawyers will get three times more money for their clients than the insurance company will offer.
- They do their own investigation- While the insurance company is doing an investigation, a personal injury attorney will do their own. They will look for proof of liability and find anything possible to strengthen your case.
- You may be unfamiliar with what documents you need- Personal injury cases can be complicated and remaining organized and knowledgeable about what documents are needed is difficult. You may omit some documents that are crucial to your case and present documents that prove nothing. A personal injury lawyer will know exactly what documents to include in your case and make sure that nothing is left out.
- They will handle your negotiations- You will not have to worry about negotiating for a higher sum with your insurance company or with the insurance company of the liable party. An experienced personal injury lawyer will have your organized documentation and proof and know going into negotiations what sum of money your case deserves. They are masters of their craft and will know exactly what to say and how to speak during a negotiation, unlike the average person.
- Your case may be complicated to prove- Many cases are met with skepticism and require extra proof and documentation in order to prove. For example, medical malpractice cases are often a hassle because doctors are heavily insured and won’t admit liability. In these instances, it pays off to have an attorney who knows what they are doing and what evidence they will need going forward.
- You won’t pay unless you win- Most personal injury attorneys will not require payment from you unless you win your case. They are dedicated to ensuring you that the compensation that you receive will be sufficient in handling all of your bills after the accident.
Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself In a Personal Injury Case
While it is an option to represent yourself in your case, many attorneys highly recommend against it. Personal injury attorneys handle cases like yours and are aware of the work that cases require. It can be hard for the average person to understand the procedures of a personal injury case and may not have the time and know-how to create a strong case.
Many experienced personal injury attorneys do not agree with a claimant operating “pro se” or on their own behalf. This is for many reasons but most importantly because the claimant is more likely to lose their case, receive a low settlement, and overall not understand the procedures involved with their case. There are many attorney options available for those who fear that they cannot afford to hire a personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury attorneys give your case the edge that it needs in order to be successful and yield accurate and appropriate compensation for you and your family. They have the experience and procedural know-how to put your case in the best position to win.