If you have been injured in an auto accident, how do you know whether or not you need to hire a personal injury lawyer? Some studies show that injured people who hire an attorney usually receive larger settlements than those who chose not to hire one.
Rushing into the nearest attorney’s office to hire him or her in order to get started isn’t the best approach. The question is whether you’ll actually receive any value from hiring a personal injury lawyer.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Will do for You
A qualified personal injury lawyer will handle discussions with the insurance company for you. The lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company and will make the effort to get higher fees than you are likely to get by yourself since the lawyer’s payment depends on the size of your settlement.
Insurance companies have teams of experts that are driven by a goal of paying out as little as possible. A personal injury lawyer will bring legal expertise and even the playing field against skilled insurance representatives.
Do You Actually Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident caused by another driver, the answer to this question depends on the extent of your injuries. If you have sustained only minor injuries in a fender bender, you may be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your own and settle quickly.
It may not be worth it to have legal fees deducted from your settlement if your injuries don’t require long-term treatment. Insurance companies are not as likely to try to fight claims for minor injuries. But if you have been seriously hurt, they may try to avoid paying what you deserve.
Recognizing Less Than Ethical Personal Injury Attorneys
Finding a lawyer to represent you starts with research. There are plenty of different choices when it comes to personal injury attorneys. It can be confusing knowing which one to choose, but there are some warning signs that may indicate a lawyer isn’t particularly ethical.
When you walk into a lawyer’s office and are immediately pressured to sign an agreement for their services without any discussion of whether legal representation is actually needed, this may not be the best choice. Another red flag is being asked to sign an agreement for services when you haven’t actually met the attorney.
What an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Should Offer
Most personal injury law firms offer a free consultation in which the lawyer will ask questions about your case while offering information of what value they can offer you. They should take the time to assess your case to determine whether or not you actually need a lawyer.
A good personal injury law firm will give you clear, understandable information without pressuring you to sign anything until you know what you’re paying for and what you’ll get out of working with them. You should be able to ask direct questions and get clear answers.
Consider Your Options
Hiring a personal injury attorney is a decision that shouldn’t be made impulsively. It’s a major decision similar to choosing a financial advisor or a medical specialist. It has to be a good fit for you.
The wrong personal injury attorney is more interested in what they will get out of your case rather than the value they offer. They may rush to settle so that they can get paid or discourage you from asking questions. This could actually break your case.
Free Legal Advice
The expert lawyers at Taos Injury Lawyers are interested in hearing your story. Contact us using the form on this page and one of our lawyers will be in touch soon.