What Happens If You Don’t Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After you get injured in an accident, the last thing you want to do is deal with an insurance company. You are already exhausted, hurt, confused, and you probably just want to get this whole situation behind you. We know that you want to rest and get back on your feet, but we aren’t the only ones who know that. Insurance companies also know that you want to move on and close out the case, making them more adamant about hurrying up and offering you a settlement that is less than what you deserve.
If you find yourself debating about hiring a personal injury lawyer and you want more information before you make your final decision, then you came to the right place. We will go over why you should hire a personal injury lawyer and who you can reach out to for more information.
What Kinds of Cases Are Considered “Personal Injury”?
Many different cases can qualify as personal injury cases, such as a car accident, motorcycle accident or truck accident. Other cases that qualify are slip and fall cases, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and more. In these personal injury cases, there was a party who owed you a duty of care, but they failed to meet that duty of care.
For example, a vehicle driver owes you the duty of care by driving safely and paying attention to the road. They also must obey the rules of the road and adhere to traffic laws. If someone runs a red light and hits the side of your vehicle, they breach their duty of care. You will then need to approach their auto insurance company with an injury and property damage claim, proving that they were negligent and breached their duty.
The same goes for any other personal injury claims. If you were to slip and fall inside a grocery store, the grocery store holds responsibility for your injuries. They breached their duty of care, which in this case, was to ensure that the aisles were clean and clear of any leaks or damages. If you are unsure if you have a personal injury case, to reach out to a personal injury attorney for a consultation.
Will I Lose Settlement Money if I Don’t Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
There is a significant chance that you could lose out on settlement money if you do not hire a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies are well known for offering you a low settlement amount so that they can close out their case and move on. These companies also prey on your vulnerability. They know that you are trying to rest and recuperate after your accident, so they try to get you to settle as soon as you can so that you can move on.
You also may think it is best to settle on an amount because it sounds good to you at the moment. When you go against these insurance companies alone, you may not know about the entire extent of your case and what you may receive compensation for. There could be lost wages, additional medical bills, or other damages that can come up during your treatment.
If No Injuries Happened, Do I Still Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If there are no injuries involved in an accident, you may not need to hire a personal injury lawyer. If you do feel achy and you did seek treatment initially, you may want to reach out to a personal injury attorney so they can review your case. Many people think that there are no injuries after the initial impact, but those injuries may appear later. When you first get involved in an accident, your adrenaline rushes, hiding any pains or aches. This is your body’s natural response to trauma, protecting you from any further harm and allowing you to “fight or flight” at that moment.
If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Decent Settlement, Do I Still Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Before you accept any offer from the insurance company, it is best to have it reviewed as soon as possible. As mentioned earlier, the insurance company may seem to offer you a settlement in your best interest, but that is not always true. Before you sign any documents, it is best to have a trained attorney read over your settlement letter.
Once you sign that letter, you release your rights to sue the insurance company in exchange for your settlement payment. If you later find out that you need more medical attention and have to miss work, you can’t go back to the insurance company after signing that document. That settlement letter is an agreement that you will no longer seek compensation from them after issuing the payment. When you work with a personal injury attorney, they will ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and any further treatments down the line.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many fantastic benefits associated with hiring a personal injury lawyer. For example, your attorney is objective to the case. This means that they do not carry the same emotions and feelings that you have attached to your lawsuit. Your attorney understands that you are frustrated, hurt, and confused, which can cloud your judgment when it comes down to determining the proper settlement amount for your case.
Handles the Paperwork
Your attorney has a team of people who work with them to ensure that they complete all of your paperwork. They will also make sure that you meet the deadlines set out by insurance companies and the court. You may have other obligations such as work, doctor’s appointments, or other family demands that can cause you to miss these crucial deadlines for paperwork and evidence. Your attorney will make sure to take care of all of that for you while you focus on getting your life back in order.
Knowledgeable of the Law
Although it may seem tempting to go against an insurance company on your own and accept any settlement, that is not a good idea. There are several different laws at play that you may or may not be aware of. Your attorney has the proper expertise and training of the law. If you decide to go to trial on your own, the court may not like that you don’t have the proper courtroom etiquette. Instead, you should follow the lead of an attorney to ensure that your case gets the proper attention it needs.
Devoted to Defending You
You can trust that your attorney has your back and has your best interest in mind. Your attorney will do their best to ensure that you do not get taken advantage of. Attorneys are well aware of the tactics that other attorneys and insurance companies deploy to exploit you and take you for granted. With a trusted advisor on your side, you can rest assured that you will receive the compensation that you deserve.
Will Handling the Case Without a Personal Injury Lawyer Take More Time?
There is a chance that handling a case without a lawyer can take less time if you decide to accept the settlement offer. Once you receive it, there is no need to move forward with a trial or the next steps in negotiations. If you decide to go at it alone, you can expect this battle to draw itself out, and it may be a losing battle at that. If you are unfamiliar with the proceedings, you may miss deadlines which can delay your case or nullify it all together.
Will I Save Money in Legal Fees if I Don’t Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Although it sounds like you may save money by battling the insurance companies on your own, it is not true. You may lose out on money without an attorney. Many people believe that lawyers cost a lot of money upfront to hire and pay throughout your case, but that is false.
Many fantastic lawyers offer their fees based on a contingency fee. This means that you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket, whether your case wins or loses. If you win your case, your attorney will take their fees out from your settlement amount, and you will receive the rest of the proceeds. Make sure that you reach out to your attorney to learn more about their contingency fees before you sign any contracts with any lawyers.
Partner With an Advocate Today!
Battling against an insurance company is not only exhausting, but it is also something that you should not go at alone. These insurance companies have their own set of lawyers that they will use to fight for the company’s interest, so why shouldn’t you also have your own team fighting for your interests? If you are in a position where you need more information on where to hire a personal injury lawyer, contact us now. The Decker Law Firm has the knowledge and expertise you need to get you the compensation you deserve.
