While it is reasonable to handle minor injury claims personally, complex cases may benefit hugely from the expertise and experience of a personal injury attorney.
Personal injury claims encompass various types of accidents and a wide range of situations. This may include being bitten by a neighbor’s dog, getting injured in an automobile accident, or slipping on the property of some other person. In a personal injury case, the severity of your injuries determines how your claim will be processed.
In many cases, people handle their claims on their own via Small Claims Court or insurance against the other party. But, in some unique situations, you may need expert guidance and advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer. In general, everything depends on the legal components of your case and the severity of your injuries.
When Should You Handle Your Personal Injury Claim On Your Own?
If you initially try to handle your claim only to hire a personal injury later, you may end up complicating the claim-making process. Therefore, it is crucial for you to understand what you are capable of and what you may lose if you mess up your case. If you are not fully sure how to go about a personal injury case, you should consider getting in touch with a personal injury lawyer soon after the accident.
Here are a few situations, wherein you may be able to manage your claim on your own:
- You were involved in an automobile accident with no to very minor injuries
- Your reside in a state, where no-fault insurance law is applicable
- You are already receiving the maximum compensation possible
- You are sure you can efficiently negotiate with an insurance adjuster
- You are ready to research the applicable laws and settlement process
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Manage Your Claim?
The insurer against whom you are filing the claim will have lawyers to represent or fight the legal battle for them. Lawyers have years of experience and in-depth understanding of legal nuances along with the expertise in gathering resources to manage their clients’ cases to the best of their potential. So, if the other party or the insurance company has a lawyer to represent them in Small Claims Court, you may too consider having one by your side.
Your Personal Injuries Could Be More Serious than What You Believed Initially
Many victims avoid hiring an attorney for injuries that appear minor to them. For instance, if you have sustained minor bruises and a few scrapes, you may not feel the need to hire a personal injury lawyer. Moreover, if the insurer of the other party gets ready to pay for your medical expenses and offer you a few hundred dollars over and above that, it may not be worth the struggle of finding an experienced personal injury attorney.
Having said that, there are some situations, wherein you may consider consulting with a lawyer, no matter how minor your injuries appear to you.
Minor injuries may turn serious:
If the injuries you sustained turn out to be severe than what you or your physician believed initially and you have already accepted the offer of the other party, nothing can be done about it. This is because, when you settle, you lose the right to make any claims arising out of the incident in the future. An established lawyer will suggest you wait until you become fully aware of your injuries and will help you decide the appropriate time to accept the other party’s offer.
You’re May Be Eligible for “Pain & Suffering” Damages:
You may be entitled to receive compensation for your psychological and emotional distress if your case enters the courtroom as a settlement outside of the courtroom doesn’t involve such damages. Inside the courtroom, your attorney can efficiently explain all the damages you might be entitled to while advocating on your behalf to help you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Handling Your Claim
Whenever you sustain minor or serious injuries, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible for the following reasons:
- Your personal injury attorney can help you obtain the full spectrum of recompense you’re entitled to.
- Lawyers are skilled negotiators by profession and can remarkably help you maximize your compensation.
- The defending party or insurer is likely to take your claim more seriously if they find that an experienced lawyer is there to represent you.
If you have been injured in an accident recently, get in touch with experienced personal injury attorneys at MANGAL, PLLC to handle your claim and obtain the rightful compensation you are entitled to.
