According to Wikipedia, a personal injury lawyer is a person who represents another that has been injured, whether it be psychologically or physically, at the fault of another party. A personal injury lawyer is needed in severe situations where there is too much being risked to self-represent or not go further with the case at all.
These are signs that it’s time to get a personal injury lawyer on board to take your case to the next level.
You’ve Sustained Serious Injuries
Whether you’ve suffered an injury from a slip and fall accident in a local restaurant or from a serious car accident, the next step is to hire a personal injury lawyer. This is definitely recommended if the injuries sustained could have long term effects. Who’s going to pay for the mounting medical bills and lost wages when you’re out of work for a long period of time due to someone else’s error? Without a personal injury lawyer on your side, no one will.
There Is A Dispute Over The Fault Of A Car Accident
If the injury involved a car accident, it’s likely that determining fault has become a nightmare. DMV.org suggests hiring a personal injury lawyer to help out in these cases. When the case reaches a court room, you need an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer that knows the ins and outs of tort, automobile, and insurance laws. Never assume that you will be able to study up on your case and defend yourself in court once the time comes. This rarely works out in victims’ cases.
You’ve Missed Work for Too Long
An injury caused from an accident can most definitely translate into missed work and lost income. If this goes on for long enough, the victim could miss bill payments or lose their jobs altogether. In this income, the income is lost at the expense of the other party. This is yet another case in which it is imperative that you contact a personal injury lawyer.
You’re Being Urged to Settle
In some cases, insurance companies of the opposing party will work out a settlement that keeps their wallets in tact, but will wind up costing you money in the long run. This is because the proposed settlement won’t pay for much in comparison to all of the medical bills and lost income you’ve accumulated. Beware of insurance companies that are continually contacting you and urging you to agree to a settlement they’ve proposed. Usually when there is an urgency in a case like this, the settlement is unjust. If the number you’re being presented doesn’t seem fair, contact a personal injury lawyer for advice immediately.
Trust Your Instincts
Knowing when to hire a personal injury lawyer also comes down to gauging the situation as it currently stands. Do you feel as though you’re being “jerked around” by the other party? Is it apparent that they are doing everything in their power to get out of being responsible for your injury? Are your medical expenses mounting up, and there’s no sign in sight that the other party plans to pay? Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. remind people, “Even if you’ve been offered a settlement, you are not required to agree to it or accept it. If the situation feels as though you are getting the short end of the stick, it’s time to let a personal injury lawyer know what’s going on.”
Schedule a Consultation
Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer to find out if you truly need a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. After all, the lawyer will be honest about whether or not the case is worth taking on simply because he/she won’t monetarily benefit from it if the cause is worthless. If you’re still on the fence, call up a lawyer and schedule a consultation. This way, you can describe your case and find out what your options are from there.
