No law in any state makes handling your personal injury claim on your own illegal. While this is true, there are several reasons you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. With proper legal representation, you will have the best chance of a successful outcome for your case.
Also, an attorney is more likely to help you get a larger settlement than defending your situation alone.
Some people are hesitant to hire an attorney to help with a personal injury claim because they are worried about the cost. This is especially true if they have significant medical debt and are unable to return to work. However, almost all personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fee is taken out of the award you receive in your case. If the claim is unsuccessful, the attorney doesn’t get paid.
This is beneficial for two reasons. First, it means that personal injury victims don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront or out of their own pocket during a time that is already financially difficult. Additionally, since the attorney only gets paid if the claimant does, they have even more motivation to ensure the case is successful. Also, the more of an award the attorney helps their client get, the higher their pay is since most attorneys charge a percentage of the damages a victim receives.
There are more specific reasons you should consider hiring the best personal injury lawyer for your personal injury case, too. If you have wondered, “can I settle a personal injury claim myself,” the answer is yes; however, these are the reasons you should rely on an experienced attorney.
You Suffered Injuries Because of the Accident
It’s not uncommon to suffer serious injuries after an accident. This is true for all types of accidents, including car accidents, slips, and falls, dog bites, and more.
If you suffered an injury, your personal injury attorney would be a valuable asset who can help you recover the compensation you deserve for the losses you incurred. The personal injury attorney you hire will help you get the most out of your injury claim or the lawsuit you ultimately file. Also, if the accident resulted in any of the following, having professional legal representation is even more important.
- Severe injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary disabilities
If you are dealing with an injury that was caused by another person’s negligence, then you need to be worried about your recovery, all while having someone fight for your rights to receive a fair amount of compensation. A quality personal injury will fight for your rights.
Liability Isn’t Clear
If it isn’t clear who the negligent party was or who is to blame for your accident, it’s a good idea to contact an attorney. In cases where liability isn’t clear, it’s up to you to prove that you are innocent. In order to do this successfully, you need evidence that shows your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence.
For example, in cases of car accidents, you need things like photos of the accident, medical records, police records, eyewitness testimony, and the official accident report from the police. All of these are pieces of evidence that must be collected, organized, and used to help make your case.
If you believe that another party was at-fault for your injuries due to negligence, it is necessary to prove they were negligent if you want a successful outcome to your case and situation. Also, if you were partially to blame for the accident, or if you were completely at fault, then working with an attorney is even more important.
Understanding of the Legal Process
Did you know that insurance adjusters put time and effort into knowing how to defend claims made against them? Insurance is a business. Because of this, the people working on your case (as nice as they may seem) don’t have your best interests in mind. In fact, they will do anything to reduce the compensation you receive for your personal injury claim as much as possible.
Insurance adjusters are well versed in the rules and regulations related to your claim. Because of this, you need someone with the same knowledge and expertise on your side.
There’s a good chance that you don’t have the same expertise as the insurance company you have filed your claim with. Your lack of knowledge and inexperience is going to work against you when you work toward a personal injury settlement. In most cases, this is seen in a settlement that is lower than you deserve, no settlement at all, or a lawsuit that isn’t filed within the set time limits.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, you have someone who will:
- Recognize the strategies used by big insurance companies to deny or delay your claim and protect you against the possibility of bad faith practices that some insurance companies are guilty of.
- Understand what damages you can potentially recover for your personal injury, property loss, or cases of wrongful death.
- Follow the rules and regulations to help protect your legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a complete list. These are just a few of the ways an attorney will help with your personal injury claim.
Time and Organization
Settlement negotiations, record keeping, and communications take quite a bit of time. They also require ongoing outreach in many situations. Also, the process of gathering related documents, such as the victim’s medical history, current medical records, wage reports, witness testimony, and expense statements, can be extremely demanding and something most people don’t have time to handle on their own. Knowing the proper way to organize this information, what needs to be produced, and how to use the information for your benefit can be extremely overwhelming for those unfamiliar with personal injury law.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, they become your advocate. They will work to detail the documents you need, when they should be submitted, and how they will be used to help prove your case. The legal team you hire will work to get all the necessary documents organized and prepare them to present to the court. They will also work to secure documents from the other party, which may be beneficial and support your claim.
Your attorney is also going to work within the set time frames to help preserve your legal rights and to pursue your lawsuit to help you secure compensation.
Professional Leverage
A personal injury attorney will be able to predict and anticipate the tactics and approach used by the insurance company and refute the arguments they make. They can also maneuver the narrative to a more favorable settlement for the claim.
Remember, insurance companies are aware that personal injury attorneys are:
- Aware of what a reasonable settlement is for the case and situation
- Skilled at acquiring and presenting the facts in court
- Build an argument that will support their client if the case goes to trial
Because of this, insurance companies realize how cost-effective it is to settle a personal injury claim when the victim has secured legal representation from an experienced attorney. This is going to be more cost-effective for them and help them avoid expensive litigation. Also, insurance companies are more likely to award more compensation to accident victims who have an attorney than to those who are self-represented.
Expediting Your Claim
In some situations, the personal injury claims process can last for several months or even years because of all the insurance company’s red tape, witness issues, legal paperwork, and more. However, if you are focused on getting the money needed to help you recover, you probably don’t have time to wait months – or longer – for your payout.
Hiring a personal injury attorney means that you have someone looking out for your best interests and who will stay on top of your claim. Their goal is to expedite the process as much as possible while ensuring you get the maximum amount of compensation. From handling conversations with the insurance companies for you to negotiating with the lawyers for the other party, the personal injury attorney you hire will help you recover compensation as quickly as possible.
Providing Representation if Your Personal Injury Claim Goes to Court
If you can’t reach a settlement agreement, the last option you have is to file a lawsuit. If this happens, you will have to go to court. In these cases, you need an experienced attorney representing you to help argue your side of the situation.
While you do have the option to self-represent, the defending party is likely to have an attorney working for them. If you want to give yourself the best chance of success, it is a good idea to find and hire a professional attorney who can match this level of expertise.
Objectivity for a Personal Injury Case
During any legal situation, objectivity is crucial. Personal injury cases are often traumatizing and emotional. This may make it difficult to stay objective when trying to deal with the police, insurance companies, and lawyers.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer will mean that you have someone who will carefully and objectively review all the details of your case and situation to ensure that you have the strongest case possible.
Ensuring You Receive the Best Medical Care
If you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, you need to get medical treatment right away. If you are injured and require the services of a specialist, an attorney can help. Most personal injury attorneys have experience and a large network to help you get to the right doctors to secure the best treatment possible.
It is crucial that you receive an accurate diagnosis for the injuries you have suffered. You also need access to the best treatment available. When you hire a personal injury attorney, their goal is to help ensure you have access to these medical professionals so you can get on the road to full recovery as quickly as possible.
Assistance Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Today, insurance adjusters are more challenging to work with than ever before. Having an experienced attorney to help in these negotiations is invaluable.
As an injury victim, your goal is to receive maximum compensation for the injuries you suffered. For example, if you are dealing with property damage or medical costs, or even pain and suffering that require you to pay for treatment or repairs, then you have rights. You owe it to yourself and your family to do everything possible to recover the most compensation possible, which usually involves hiring an experienced personal injury attorney.
As an injury victim, you want to receive a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. However, the insurance adjusters are going to do everything possible to limit what they offer you. In most cases, your idea of a fair offer and the insurance company’s idea of this will likely vary greatly.
If you try to represent your claim on your own, an insurance adjuster is probably going to have a huge advantage over you. That’s because they know the law (as mentioned above). They also know how to convince you that the low-ball offer you make is actually in your best interest, even though it’s not.
Having an attorney on your site means that you have someone looking out for your rights. They will help to level the playing field, which includes effective negotiations that prove the true worth of your case.
Find The Help of an Experienced Attorney Help For Your Personal Injury Case
As you can see from the information above, there are more than a few reasons to hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help with your case. In the long run, with legal representation, you will be able to secure a higher settlement and better understand your rights.
If you become injured in an accident, speak with a personal injury lawyer immediately to discuss your injury case and see how the Shiner Law Group can help. We offer a Shiner Free Guarantee, which means there is no fee to you unless we win your case. Call us today or fill out our free online consultation request form.
