When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
December 17, 2024
Life is full of surprises. Some of them are great, and others not so much. Unfortunately, unexpected accidents and injuries can turn your world upside down and leave you with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. One question to consider is, “When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?”
Knowing your legal options can make all the difference.
Understanding Personal Injury Cases
A personal injury case arises when someone gets hurt because of another person’s negligence or intentionally harmful behavior. These cases can involve car accidents, slips and falls, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and just about any other situation where a person is injured through no fault of their own.
The legal system has options in place for injured people to seek compensation for their losses when such an incident happens to them. Even so, getting this payment isn’t always straightforward. Proving liability, figuring out the costs of the losses suffered, and negotiating with insurance companies often requires legal help.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A lot of people hesitate to reach out to a personal injury attorney. Usually, they’re not sure if their situation is complicated enough to warrant hiring legal assistance. If you’ve been hurt as a result of someone else’s actions, contacting a lawyer can help you understand your rights and navigate through the complicated legal system.
Some cases are less involved, and you may be tempted to handle them without an attorney’s help. However, in almost all circumstances, you would greatly benefit from having legal counsel to guide you along in the process and make sure you don’t settle for less compensation than you deserve.
The Injury Was Severe or Life-Threatening
Claims with minor injuries are usually settled pretty quickly, though a lawyer will still help keep the insurance company from taking advantage of you. However, if your injury required extensive medical treatment, caused a permanent disability, or severely altered your quality of life, make sure to contact a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can go over your case and help you figure out what compensation you’re entitled to, including future expenses.
Uncertainty About Liability
Sometimes, it’s not always clear who was responsible for causing an accident. When liability isn’t obvious — or when the liable party is trying to shift the blame elsewhere, a lawyer knows where to find the evidence to put together a strong case on your behalf.
You’re Dealing With Financial Strain
Even minor injuries can lead to a hefty financial burden. Hospital bills, missed work, and ongoing therapy all begin to add up and can put a major strain on your budget. An attorney can help you pursue the reimbursement you need to ease your financial stress while you recover.
The Insurance Company Isn’t Cooperating
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their priority is to minimize payouts on claims, and they’re notorious for sending out lowball offers to accident victims. Often, they manage to find ways to deny a claim altogether. If that’s what’s happened in your claim, it’s time to involve a lawyer who knows how to counter their tactics.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Evaluation to Start Your Case Out on the Right Foot
A qualified attorney will be able to analyze every detail of your case. They’ll look at medical records, investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, and talk to witnesses to build the most robust case possible. At the same time, they’ll make sure no information is overlooked.
Figuring Out the Full Extent of Your Losses
Determining how much your case is worth is more complicated than a lot of people realize. Beyond the immediate medical bills, you also have to consider how much income you’ve lost from being unable to work, and the value of pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and possibly a diminished quality of life. Your lawyer will be able to quantify all of this for you to reflect the true cost of your losses.
Negotiation
Insurance companies rarely send a first offer that will cover all of your costs. They’ll pressure you to take the low offer in the hopes that you’ll accept it because you’re strapped for cash. An attorney can push back effectively and argue for a fair settlement.
Litigation (If Necessary)
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. However, sometimes an agreement can’t be reached, and the case has to go to trial. Should that happen, your lawyer is prepared to argue your case in front of a judge or jury to get the best possible outcome for you.
With the right attorney, you can focus on healing while your legal counsel handles your case. Call us today at (215) 569-0900 to schedule your consultation.
Compensation in Personal Injury Cases
When calculating compensation you may be eligible for, your attorney will consider two forms of damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the costs that are easily measurable. While every case is different, they usually include medical bills, treatments, surgeries, medications, rehab, therapies, lost income, and loss of earning capacity (if you’re unable to return to work at all).
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are tougher to put a number on. They’re not as tangible and obvious as the monetary costs. Often, they include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Why You Need to Act Quickly
Time is a critical factor in personal injury cases. Acting quickly can greatly improve your chances of success.
Statute of Limitations
Every state has a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. There are exceptions, but they don’t apply to every case. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation. In Pennsylvania, for example, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury.
Evidence Preservation
The longer you wait to start your claim, the harder it becomes to find the evidence you need for a strong case. Witnesses’ memories fade, hospital records get lost, and physical evidence degrades over time.
Financial Relief
Costs related to your injury will quickly pile up. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can get the payment you need to pay for all of it and relieve your financial stress.
The Cost of Not Hiring a Lawyer
Don’t Hesitate to Act
Some people hesitate to reach out for legal help because of the costs involved. Thankfully, most law firms know this and recognize that few people can pay for their services upfront. Instead, many of them work on a contingency fee basis, which means they get paid only if you win your case. This structure ensures everyone has access to the legal counsel they need regardless of their financial situation.
On the other hand, failing to hire an attorney can lead to costly mistakes, such as:
- Taking an inadequate settlement
- Missing the deadline to file a claim
- Overlooking certain types of compensation you’re entitled to recover.
By working with a personal injury lawyer, you can avoid these pitfalls and have a better chance of getting the payment you need to get your life back on track.
What to Do After an Injury
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, there are certain things you can do to strengthen your case before you even begin to think about the paperwork. These include:
- Getting checked out at the hospital, even if you feel fine
- Keeping detailed notes and records of your injuries, hospital costs, and any letters from the insurance companies
- Avoiding talking to insurance adjusters, as they may try to use your statements to minimize or outright deny your claim
- Scheduling a consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and figure out your best course of action.
Taking these steps not only protects your health but also proves that you’re taking the situation seriously. It puts you in the position to pursue the compensation you deserve without jeopardizing your case.
Take Control of Your Future With the Right Legal Help
At Wapner Newman Attorneys at Law, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping injury victims. With decades of proven results and a client-focused approach, we’re committed to getting you the payout you’re entitled to.
We’re here to help. Call us today at (215) 569-0900 for a free consultation.