If you have been in an accident that’s led to an injury or illness you’ve suffered through no fault of your own, you will generally have the right to be able to file a personal injury claim to gain financial compensation for your troubles.
Personal injury claims can be filed in order to claim back the money that you have had to spend on medical bills, taking time off work, any future treatments or medication that you will need as a result of the injury.
You can also file one for any adjustments that you have or will have to make to your home, emotional damages, and anything else that could have been a direct result of our accident.
If you have suffered a non-fault injury and are considering filing a claim, you might be wondering whether it’s a wise idea to hire a lawyer. Personal injury lawyer commercials are everywhere, but is hiring legal representation worth it?
#1. Chance of a Larger Settlement Size:
When it comes to making the decision on hiring a lawyer or not, the first factor to take into consideration is just how much compensation you wish to gain.
If you’ve suffered a small injury that is unlikely to be deemed worth a large amount of compensation, a personal injury lawyer can help you claim more.
Claimants who have suffered extensive or life-changing injuries, leading to high medical bills, great financial loss, and emotional damages, should always hire a lawyer to represent them.
This is because these claims are generally worth a large amount of compensation, and the defendant may take steps to try and reduce the payout – something that a lawyer will be trained to deal with, ensuring that you don’t lose out.
In addition, some insurance adjusters may not take a claimant seriously if they are demanding a large amount of compensation when representing themselves. So, it’s good to have an experienced, qualified lawyer on your side.
#2. You’re Covered by Insurance:
If you or the other party is covered by insurance that will pay out in the event of a personal injury, this may be a factor that is putting you off from hiring a lawyer.
After all, if you have insurance cover, you are likely to get a payout, right? However, it’s not always as simple as that.
When it comes to a personal injury claim, bear in mind that the interests of your insurance company might be at odds with your own. This is especially true if they are paying compensation out of their own pocket, rather than claiming it from another company on your behalf.
In addition, you may be required to make an excess payment, either funded by yourself or from any money you receive as a payout.
Bear in mind that if your insurance company will be funding your compensation themselves, then they will want to pay out as little as possible.
This is as opposed to you wanting to get the highest amount that you can. So, it may not always be a wise idea to rely solely on your insurance company in the event of a personal injury claim. If the question is ‘do I need a personal injury lawyer?’ then the answer is most likely to be yes.
#3. Paying Legal Fees:
Hiring a lawyer does not come cheap, so it’s no surprise that worries regarding being able to cover the legal fees put many personal injury claimants off from going ahead and getting legal representation for their case.
If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim but are worried that you will not be able to afford the legal fees if you do not win the claim, then one way to get around this is to consider hiring a lawyer who works on a contingency basis.
This basically means that your claim will be paid for on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis and you will not have to worry about covering the cost of your lawyer unless you have been awarded compensation, of which you will be required to pay a percentage of to your lawyer.
This is not only a financially safer option for you as the claimant but also a good way to ensure that your lawyer is working hard on your claim as, after all, they won’t get paid if you do not win.
#4. When to Handle a Case on Your Own:
Although hiring a lawyer is usually the best course of action to take when you are pursuing a personal injury case, there may be some instances where your case is suitable for representing yourself.
For example, if your case is filed in a ‘no fault’ state, you will not be allowed to sue unless your injuries have reached a particular level, or if you are already receiving the maximum amount possible from an insurance company.
Self-representation can be tricky, so even if it is an option that you would prefer, then it’s important to ensure that you are fully prepared before going to court.
Although you may not wish to hire a lawyer to represent you throughout the case, it can be a wise idea to get some legal advice first. Ultimately, you should avoid representing yourself in a personal injury case unless you have at least some legal knowledge and understand exactly what to expect.
Defendants looking to pay as little compensation as possible in a personal injury case may exploit a self-representation and use your lack of knowledge and experience to sway the case in their favor, so it’s crucial that you are aware of this before you proceed.
If you’ve been the victim of an accident or suffered and injury that was not your fault, then you could be entitled to compensation. I
n order to ensure that your claim is dealt with quickly and that you get the payout that you deserve, it’s well worth considering investing in the services of a good personal injury lawyer.
And with many lawyers working on a contingency basis for this type of claim, you may not be required to pay anything until you’re awarded compensation.
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