Personal injury claims cover different types of accidents including slip and fall, dog bites, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, workers’ compensation, etc. The seriousness of your injuries is what will determine whether you should handle your personal injury claim or if you should hire a lawyer.
Handling Your Own Personal Injury Claim
It’s tempting to handle your own personal injury claim so as to save on legal fees. However, if you do not know what you are doing, it’s very easy to mishandle your case and complicate the claim process. Consulting a lawyer immediately after your injury will cost you nothing because most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Additionally, they also work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only charge you if they win your case for you.
However, there are some situations where you can successfully handle your case without a lawyer. For instance, if your injuries were very minor, and only resulted in a few stitches at the doctor’s office, then you can file a claim with your insurer or the other person’s insurer. If you were rear ended at a very low speed and your car only sustained minor damage, you can successfully file a claim to get compensation to cover the cost of repairing your car. If the amount of compensation you receive from your insurer is satisfactory, then you don’t need to hire a lawyer.
If you live in a no fault state, then you cannot sue unless your injuries are severe. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will not make sense because you will be limited to recovering damages from your personal injury protection. However, there are instances where your injuries might be severe enough to warrant you to hire a lawyer since you will be stepping outside the no fault system. If you live in Providence, RI, t’s important to note that Rhode Island is not a no-fault state and it does not maintain PIP coverage.
If you are already receiving the highest possible amount from the insurance company then hiring a lawyer to squeeze out an extra dollar might not be worth it. For example, if the maximum insurance policy is $50, 000 and that’s what you are getting, then pursuing a lawsuit to get more money will not be useful to you.
If you have the necessary knowledge and ability to negotiate with an adjuster to reach a fair settlement then you can represent yourself in a small claims court.
You might come across a few challenges along the way if you decide to handle your own case. In such a case you might need to research the law and settlement process. You will have to understand state laws that might affect your case, different types of damages and how to calculate compensation. This will take you some time to research and understand if you are not a lawyer. If you don’t have the time then you are better off talking to a lawyer who can handle your case much more efficiently.
You Might Consider Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer If:
Your Injuries are not as Minor as You Thought
Many people do not see the need to hire a personal injury lawyer if their injuries are minor. For instance, if you were involved in a slip and fall accident and you only needed a few stitches for a busted lip, then hiring a lawyer may not be worth it. If the premises owner offers to pay for your medical bill and a few dollars on top then you can consider your case successfully solved. However, in some instances, you minor injuries might actually be severe.
When Minor Injuries Become Severe
What might seem like a minor bruise on the head could turn out to be a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). If you already accepted the settlement offer there’s not much that can be done since it’s required that you give up any and all future claims when you accept a settlement offer.
A good personal injury lawyer knows that you need to wait until the full extent of your injuries has been determined before they accept an offer.
You are not Able to Calculate Pain and Suffering Damages
First, you might not be aware that you are entitled to pain and suffering damages even for minor injuries. A qualified lawyer will explain to you all the damages that you are entitled to as well as calculate them for you.
You Need an Attorney if Your Injuries are Severe
This is because:
- You need to be aware of the damages you are entitled to based on the severity of your injuries. A lawyer can help you secure compensation for those damages.
- An attorney has experience negotiating with insurance adjusters and can therefore maximize your recovery.
- Some defendants and insurers will only take your claim seriously once you hire an attorney.
Your Insurer is not Your Friend
Many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer because they think that insurance companies have their best interest at heart. However, insurance companies are only concerned about their bottom line so they will pay out the smallest amount possible. This explains why an insurer might deny your claim if you ask for a large damage reward even if the amount asked for is fair and enough to compensate you for your injuries.
Personal Injury Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Many people don’t hire personal injury attorneys because they do not want to pay legal fees. However, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they secure a settlement for you.
Your lawyer will collect their payment from your compensation. They will structure the agreement in such a way that they will only collect certain percentage out of your settlement check.
The great thing about contingency fees is that your lawyer will be motivated to get the highest possible settlement amount for you because that means they also get paid more money.
Contact Us for a Free Initial Consultation
If you live in New Bedford, MA, you can schedule a free initial consultation with us at any time. We will listen to your side of the story and evaluate your case. Based on the information you give us, we will be able to tell you whether you have a case or not and if you do, what kind of damages you will be entitled to. Call us today at 508-999-0800 to talk to one of our lawyers.
