If you’ve suffered an injury due to an accident, you’re faced with the decision of whether or not you should hire a personal injury lawyer. Hiring the right person to handle your legal case can be an intimidating process. Whether you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident or you’re the victim of medical malpractice, you want to ensure that your lawyer is the best person for the job.
There are certain cases in which hiring a personal injury lawyer is well worth the associated fees. Only a qualified personal injury lawyer can obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses. If you have suffered serious bodily injuries, you must consult with a personal injury attorney. Because filing a personal injury lawsuit requires specialized skill and training, you should never file a personal injury lawsuit without representation by a lawyer.
There are certain types of accidents and injuries that almost always require an attorney. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, BCCN recommends consulting with an attorney immediately:
You Suffered Long-Term Disabling Injuries
If the injuries you sustained after an accident require long-term care of have left you with permanent disabilities, you need to have your case evaluated by an experienced personal injury lawyer. Example situations include suffering an injury that necessitated hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, chiropractic work, cosmetic surgery or orthopedics. When claims involve substantial past and future medical expenses, their value can be significantly increased when you have good legal representation. Your attorney can help calculate how much your injuries are worth and how your injuries will impact your earning capacity over time. To get the most out of your personal injury claim or lawsuit, you need a lawyer who can pursue all available forms of compensation for your injuries and other losses.
You Suffered Severe Injuries
Insurance companies measure the severity of your injuries by the type of injuries you sustained, how much you incurred in medical bills, and the length of your recovery time. As your potential compensation increases, the more likely you are to reach the policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy. If this is the case, the insurance company may only be able to pay you a fraction of what you deserve. In these types of cases, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to make sure you receive the total entitled compensation.
Liability Is Not Clear
When multiple parties are involved in an accident, filing an insurance claim can be very complicated, and dealing with an insurance company can be even more difficult. You could also be the subject of insurance claims from the other parties, which would either decrease your settlement offer or reduce it to nothing because of your proportional fault for the accident. You should always contact an attorney if you have been injured in an accident and might be partially at-fault for the accident. An attorney can help protect you against counterclaims and cross-claims by the other parties who were involved in the accident.
The Insurance Company Refuses to Pay
Some insurance companies engage in bad faith practices or simply refuse to make a fair settlement offer. If you are unable to secure a fair offer from either the at-fault party’s insurance company or your own, you should contact a lawyer who has experience litigating such claims.
You’re Uncomfortable Handling the Settlement Process On Your Own
Receiving a fair amount in the settlement may involve savvy negotiation skills combined with knowledge of both the statutory laws and case law. Some injury cases are highly complex. For example, if you were injured by a defective product or by what you believe was medical negligence, you may need the help of experts in order to uncover the evidence that you will need to prove your claim. Auto accidents may require accident reconstruction and witness interviews. You’ll also need to be able to decipher your own medical records so that you can appropriately value your claim. If you are not comfortable with doing these things, you should consult with an attorney who is experienced with personal injury cases.
Start Your Free Consultation
If you were involved in any of the scenarios above, you should seek counsel right away. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a very important decision. You should make sure that your attorney is someone you trust and feel comfortable working with. The personal injury attorneys at Bahe, Cook, Cantley & Nefzger have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases on behalf of our clients. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation at (502) 587-2002.