“Should I hire a lawyer?”
This is one of the first questions people ask after they’ve been in an accident. Many accident victims think they can handle their case alone, so there’s no point in paying a personal injury law firm.
However, good law firms do so much more than just offer basic legal advice. They handle tasks that you can’t or don’t want to tackle yourself, and that kind of support can be invaluable.
In this post, Accident Hotline discusses the role of personal injury firms and why hiring one is a smart move.
Why Hire a Law Firm?
If you want a fair settlement, hiring a highly rated law firm is a must. Below, learn what a personal injury lawyer does for your case.
Takes Your Interests to Heart
A good personal injury law firm looks out for you and your interests above all else. Even if your lawyer disagrees with you, you’re the client, and what you want comes first.
A reputable lawyer won’t pressure you to accept a settlement that’s too low just because they’re in a hurry to close the case. They also won’t decline any offers without your permission.
Sets Realistic Expectations
You may expect a six-figure settlement for your car accident, but your expectations and reality may be a bit too far apart. The right lawyer can tell you what your case is truly worth, not fill your head with false ideas.
They also won’t sugarcoat your chances of winning the case, and they won’t underestimate how long it should take your case to settle.
Thoroughly Investigates Your Case
Reputable lawyers are like detectives in that they do a deep dive into your case, leaving no stone unturned. They can find evidence you may not have even thought about hunting down.
For example, suppose your car accident happened at a busy intersection downtown. Maybe the business on the corner has security cameras, and perhaps those cameras caught the whole incident on tape. A key piece of evidence like this could be enough to win a hefty settlement.
Protects Your Rights
Think of lawyers as guards who can protect you from unscrupulous insurance companies, defendants, and anyone else who tries to pull the wool over your eyes. They protect you from:
- Insurance companies that offer lowball settlements or try to access irrelevant medical records
- Threats and intimidation tactics
- Stalling on paying your settlement
Evaluates Your Damages
Without a lawyer, it’s tough to know the true extent of your damages. Sure, you can add up your medical bills and all those missing paychecks, but what about everything else?
For example, if you can never work again because of the accident, how much money will you lose over your lifetime? If you’ll need ongoing care or home modifications, what will that cost?
It’s especially important to have a lawyer calculate your non-economic damages. They don’t have an inherent monetary value, so it’s easy to underestimate or overestimate these damages.
Handles Insurance Negotiations
If there’s one thing nobody ever wants to do, it’s negotiate with the insurance company. It doesn’t matter if you were captain of the debate team; insurance adjusters do this for a living and they’re almost certainly better at it than you.
This is why you must hire a lawyer who is equally as skilled at negotiations. Good lawyers have seen every trick in the book from insurance companies, and they won’t cave just because the adjuster turns up the pressure. They’ll only stop negotiating when you’re happy and not a moment sooner.
Files Paperwork on Time
Who wants to worry about a stack of paperwork when they’re trying to recover after an accident? Probably not you. Hiring a personal injury law firm is smart because they’ll take care of all the grunt work for you.
Law firms also make sure to file all necessary paperwork well before your state’s statute of limitations is up. Many accident victims miss the deadline, which means they can’t recover damages. You don’t want to let that happen to you.
Represents You in Court
Although personal injury cases usually don’t go to court, there’s always a possibility that yours might. Good lawyers have ample trial experience and aren’t afraid to fight for you if your case goes before a judge.
They’ll walk you through the whole process so there won’t be any surprises on the day of the trial. You’ll know what to expect during discovery, evidence exchange, mediation, and the trial itself.
Contact our team today so we can fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Reasons To Hire a Personal Injury Firm
Still not sure whether you really need to hire a lawyer? Let these questions serve as your guide.
- Did the insurance company deny your claim? This could happen if your evidence is weak or the insurance company thinks you’re at fault. Some insurers reject claims for what seems like no reason at all. Regardless of the reason for the denial, you need a lawyer’s help.
- Are you unsure if your settlement offer is fair? Initial settlement offers are usually too low. It’s wise to consult a lawyer before signing anything.
- Are multiple parties involved in your personal injury claim? If so, it can be hard to determine liability and know which insurance company you should make a claim with.
- Is the statute of limitations approaching? If the deadline is coming up quickly, you need an attorney to start the claims process right away.
- Are you feeling overwhelmed by your case? Hire a lawyer so you can focus on recovering instead of worrying about legal matters.
- Are you running out of money because of your bills? Personal injury lawyers typically work on contingency, which means they take payment from your settlement, not out of your pocket.
Find a Lawyer for Your Injury Claim Now
Choosing the right personal injury law firm can be challenging, so why not let Accident Hotline help? Call us at (888) 340-7454 anytime for a free consultation and we’ll connect you to the right personal injury lawyer near you.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454
