The aftermath of a personal injury accident can be an overwhelming time. Besides your physical and psychological pain and suffering, you’re suddenly facing a mountain of medical bills, paperwork, and phone calls from insurance providers and law enforcement. You probably have a ton of questions running through your mind, including “Should I file a personal injury claim?” or “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?”
If you’re worried about which steps to take after your accident, we’re here to help. Here’s what you need to know about whether or not you’ll need to hire a lawyer to assist with your personal injury case.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer, and Do I Need One?
Not all accidents require the assistance of a lawyer. However, if you’ve suffered a serious or sustained injury, you should never file a personal injury lawsuit without a lawyer. That’s because filing a personal injury lawsuit is extremely complex, and insurance companies will often refuse to settle in good faith. Therefore, you’ll need the particular skills and knowledge of someone who knows the legal system to help guide you through the process and negotiate the recovery you deserve.
A personal injury attorney provides legal services to individuals who have been injured — whether physically or psychologically — as a result of the negligence of another person, company, government agency or entity. The following situations almost always require the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.
- You suffered a serious injury or permanent disability. If the injuries from your accident were severe, or if you acquired a serious illness or condition as a result, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Furthermore, if your injuries will require long-term care or have left you with permanent disabilities, partnering with a personal injury lawyer could be the only way to prevent a lifelong financial burden for you and your family.
- It’s not clear who is at fault. Accidents are, of course, unplanned, and they happen in an instant — so it’s not always clear who was at fault in a personal injury case. If certain factors in your situation made it difficult to determine a responsible party, it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney. This will ensure that the other party’s insurance company can’t blame you for damages without a strong defense on your behalf. A legal expert will defend you from counterclaims and cross-claims in order to obtain the justice you deserve.
- Multiple parties are involved. If you were injured in an accident that involved multiple parties, things can get really confusing. If there isn’t enough settlement money to evenly distribute between all involved parties, you might be unfairly served with bills that aren’t your responsibility. You could also be the subject of insurance claims from the other parties involved, which means your settlement offer could be greatly decreased because of your partial fault for the accident. In this situation, a personal injury lawyer has the legal experience necessary to manage the negotiation between multiple insurance companies and build a strong case to ensure that you get the best recovery possible.
- The insurance company denied or is delaying your claim. There’s a good reason why insurance companies get a bad rap. They know that most people don’t have a solid understanding of the complex laws and procedures that take place in a personal injury claim. They are known to take advantage of this, often refusing to make a fair settlement offer or even refusing any settlement at all. They’re also known for delaying claims so that the injured party will eventually give up. However, when you partner with a personal injury lawyer, you’re protected from the bad faith tactics of insurance providers. That way, you have the best possible chance to recover the fair settlement to which you are lawfully entitled.
A Personal Injury Law Firm That Has Your Back
Our nationally recognized lawyers have been helping personal injury victims all over the country for 40 years, in areas including Baltimore, Chicago, Columbia, NYC, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Des Moines and more.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case — and let us help you decide the next best steps to take.