Expecting to be fairly compensated following an injury that happened because of someone else’s negligence is not realistic. The courts can only do so much, and it is all too easy to be shortchanged by letting the process unfold without professional help. Still, how can you tell when it is right to hire a personal injury lawyer? After all, you do not want to pay all those legal fees if it is not going to benefit you in any way. While it is true that people sometimes needlessly hire a personal injury attorney, it is also true that they are often necessary. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer if Any of the Following Things Apply to You Depending on the nature of your injury, you may need a work injury lawyer or a lawyer who specializes in some other area of law. In any case, you should always get legal help when any of the following applies to your situation:
- In the case of a car accident, the other driver is under-insured or uninsured. A car accident lawyer can help make sure that you do not slip through the legal system due to the other person’s negligence.
- If your injury is severe and will have a major impact on your life for the foreseeable future. This means that you are probably going to have large medical bills, and you will need all the help you can get.
- You are concerned that the statute of limitations in your area may expire before you can adequately challenge a claim on your own. A lawyer can act a lot more quickly on your behalf to ensure that you are fully and properly compensated.
- If it seems like the insurance company or adjuster is pressuring you to take a settlement. This tactic is often used to push people into accepting less than they are entitled. It is a classic move, and it is a prime example of why you need to have competent legal representation in many cases.
- Following an accident, you and the other driver may dispute who is to blame. Leaving it strictly up to the courts to decide is a recipe for disaster, so always retain an attorney.
What to Expect when Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney The main thing you should know about hiring a personal injury attorney is that you will probably pay for the services rendered on a contingency basis. What this means is that the lawyer will be reimbursed with a percentage of whatever settlement you receive. This is known as a contingency fee. The fee varies from lawyer to lawyer. Make sure to ask how much the fee will be before retaining your attorney to avoid surprises. Keep in mind that some lawyers charge as much as 40 percent. In addition to the contingency fee, you will have to pay all court fees and costs. You will also be responsible for any other fees that may be incurred. These kinds of costs and fees usually need to be paid immediately. Another thing to keep in mind is that personal injury cases are not usually settled overnight. In fact, they can wend their way through court systems over periods of months or even years. One major factor is how busy the court is in general. If you live in a metropolitan area with a very busy court, your case will probably take a long to be resolved. If you are told that your case will be handled quickly, proceed with caution. Even in areas with courts that are not extremely busy, personal injury cases tend to move slowly. By retaining the right attorney following an injury, you can protect your rights and increase the odds of receiving the compensation that you deserve. In the long run, it is often the best way to go.
