If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably been injured by someone else’s negligence, and now you’re wondering: Do I need a personal injury attorney to handle my claim? The answer is a resounding yes! Trust us, you don’t want to deal with the entire legal system on your own, on top of all the medical bills, lost income, property damage, and physical and emotional suffering you’ve experienced.
If you don’t want to take our word for it, read this article to understand why legal representation is indispensable in personal injury cases. By the end, you’ll understand all the benefits of hiring an attorney and the challenges of doing it alone, and you’ll know how to select the right advocate for your needs.
3 Biggest Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Suppose you hire a personal injury lawyer for your case, in that case, you’ll likely receive an average of 3.5 times more money than if you handled the case independently, says The Insurance Research Council.
And if that isn’t convincing enough, here are the other three big benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney:
Legal Expertise
Like many other areas of law, personal injury law is complex in that it can vary significantly from state to state.
Depending on the state you’re filing in, you must follow state-specific rules and procedures for initiating a lawsuit, proving liability, and recovering damages.
That’s where the first and most prominent benefit of hiring a personal injury attorney comes in.
A personal injury attorney knows the ins and outs of the applicable state law, meaning they can easily guide you through the process.
And, if going to trial isn’t the best strategy for your case, a personal injury attorney will advise you on the best way to settle out of court.
Advocacy and Support
If you want a partner to fight for your rights and interests as fiercely as you will, hire a personal injury attorney.
A partner with such expertise will act as your representative in all communications and negotiations with the insurance company and the negligent party, providing a level of advocacy and proficiency that would be challenging for any layman client to achieve independently.
Moreover, a personal injury attorney will adeptly handle the administrative aspects of your case as well. This includes:
- Meticulously managing the paperwork and documentation required for your case
- Sparing you any time-consuming and intricate tasks
- Ensuring all necessary documentation is completed accurately and promptly
Overall, they will be your ally and advocate throughout the claim process.
Contingency Fee Basis
One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that, in many cases, you don’t have to pay a dime upfront.
This is because many personal injury attorneys work on a ‘contingency fee basis,’ which means they only get paid if you win your case.
(Yes, this applies to legal fees and expenses until you receive compensation!)
Be honest: What’s not to like about this “If I don’t win, I don’t owe anything” policy?
That’s right – absolutely nothing.
Challenges of Handling a Personal Injury Claim on Your Own
If you’ve, at any point, thought that handling your personal injury claim alone is a good way to save money and time, think again.
We get it; many clients come to their lawyers thinking, “How hard can it be to deal with the insurance company and the other part?” and, well, the truth is:
Very hard.
(And it can cost you a lot more than you think.)
So, here are some of the common challenges and risks of handling a personal injury claim on your own:
Legal Complexity
This one’s pretty obvious: Personal injury law is not simple.
If you make a mistake in personal injury proceedings or miss a single important deadline, you could jeopardize your entire case or lose your right to sue.
Here are some questions for you to answer:
- Do you know how to identify, gather, and preserve the necessary evidence for trial?
- Do you know how to draft and file legal documents?
- Do you know how to comply with discovery requests?
- Do you know how to prepare for trial?
- Can you calculate your damages, including future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering?
If not, you’ll leave money on the table and potentially expose yourself to legal liability.
Scary, right?
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case
Now that you understand why you need a personal injury attorney and shouldn’t handle your own claim, you might wonder how to find the best one for your case. After all, many personal injury attorneys are out there, and not all are created equal.
Here are some tips and criteria that can help you decide who to trust and who to avoid:
- Find an attorney who has handled cases similar to yours.
- You want an attorney who knows how to deal with the specific complexities of your type of injury.
- Hire an attorney with a history of winning high-value cases and settlements. It’s the results that matter the most.
- Ask about an attorney to check whether they have a positive reputation in the legal community and among their past clients.
- Check review sites and other platforms for any reviews and testimonials regarding the work of a particular lawyer.
- Inquire about how an attorney will keep you informed about the progress of your case. Not getting any updates is a no-no.
- Check whether an attorney can explain legal matters in simple language that you understand.
- A good attorney is responsive and accessible, meaning they promptly return your calls, emails, and messages.
- You’ll want to hire an attorney with the time and attention to prioritize your case. If their caseload is unmanageable and they don’t have the staff to assist them with more work, opt for someone else.
- A good attorney will tell you if your case has no future. They’ll also tell you when not to settle, if taking the case to trial is better, and vice versa.
As you can see, choosing the right personal injury attorney is not a simple task, it requires careful research, evaluation, and comparison, but it’s well worth the effort to get the compensation and justice you need.
To connect with experienced personal injury lawyers who can assist you in overcoming the challenges of your case, read more.
Published by: Aly Cinco