Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Or Handle Your Claim Own?

You are looking for a personal attorney to represent you in a personal injury case. While most people can handle minor injuries themselves, it is often cheaper to hire a lawyer. But serious cases will likely benefit more from the experience and expertise of a lawyer.

Personal injury claims can cover a wide variety of situations and injuries. How severe your injury is will affect the way you file your claim.

In certain circumstances, you may be able handle a claim through insurance or Small Claims Court by yourself. This all depends on the extent of your injuries and the legal aspects.

Manage Your Own Case

It is possible to handle a claim yourself, but then hire a lawyer later.

These are just some of the cases that you may be able to handle without hiring an attorney.

A Car Accident Inflicted No (or Very Minor) Injuries

One of the most common types of injuries is auto accident injuries.

(See How To Get a Lawyer After an Auto Accident).

Living in a state without fault

If your injuries exceed a certain threshold, you cannot sue under no-fault rules. The severity of your injuries as well as the cost of treatment will determine the amount of damages you can recover from personal injury protection. It is impossible to hire a lawyer to represent minor injuries.

You have already received the maximum amount

The policy limits are what insurance companies will pay.

You feel confident you can negotiate with an adjuster

You can negotiate with your insurance agent to achieve a fair settlement.

You feel comfortable researching the law and the settlement process

AllLaw’s sections on Personal Injuries & Auto Accidents have lots of helpful information.

To fully understand the law, it can take time and research. There are lawyers who are trained and have a thorough understanding of the law.

Why You might consider hiring an attorney

An Attorney will represent you against the insurance company. You may want to ask if the representative of the insurance company, or the party to which you are appealing to Small Claims Court, is available.

It may not seem so minor as you think.

Minor injuries are often overlooked by many people. Many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer. You may be offered financial assistance by the other driver’s insurance company.

You can call a lawyer to schedule an initial consultation or for minor injuries. Talk to him to find out, why should i hire a personal injury attorney.

Injuries that were minor may become major can lead to serious injuries.

If your case goes to court, a jury will consider it. A settlement that doesn’t include these damages could not be fair.

Small Injuries vs. Serious Injuries

A lawyer is required to handle serious injuries. key reasons to hire an experienced personal injury attorney

• An attorney can ensure you get the full range of damages to which your rights.
• Lawyers have the ability to negotiate and maximize your recovery.
• An attorney will help you to get the attention of both insurers and defendants.

What do I do with my insurance company?

Many people believe they don’t have to hire a lawyer because their insurance covers them. Sometimes your interests might be in conflict with the insurance company’s.

• You want to receive as much compensation for your injuries as you can. This will help to alleviate all of the suffering and pain that you have endured.
• Insurance companies strive to pay as little as possible to make as much profit as possible.

How to pay a lawyer: Contracting fee agreements

People might be afraid of paying legal fees. If your case is not settled in court, your lawyer will not be paid any money.

Contingency fees agreements let the lawyer have access to your settlement or damages award. This allows them to collect compensation. If you settle during discovery, but before the lawsuit has been filed, one-third. If the case is going to trial and damages are awarded by a jury, forty percent will be available.

Learn more about Attorneys Fees and Your Personal Injury Settlement

Represented Plaintiffs are more likely to get larger settlements

An Insurance Research Council study found that the average settlement for personal injuries is 3 1/2 times higher when you have legal representation than if it doesn’t. Your particular case may make matters more complicated.

• What happens to you if the rear-ending party doesn’t have insurance?
• What happens if you take a bite from a dog and become very ill?
• What happens if a neighbor refuses to accept responsibility

These questions can help you understand how complex a personal injury claim can be. An attorney can represent you if you have to deal with an insurance company or private party.