When you sustain an injury you want to make sure you get your needs met. Additionally, if someone made a mistake the caused harm, you want them held accountable. Before we dig into the question of when you need a personal injury attorney, there are actions you should always take if you suffer a personal injury. Start with our previous blog post, What to Do if You Sustain a Personal Injury.
I’m Injured – Do I Need a Lawyer?
If an injury is minor, many people think they can handle the situation without the services of an attorney. They file a claim with an insurance company, thinking that in their less serious case it will be sufficient. However, be aware that it is not in the insurance company’s best financial interest to settle claims generously or quickly. Also, insurance companies have teams of attorneys working for them as well as significant support staff. Furthermore, an injury that seems minor at the time you sustain it, can sometimes develop long-term consequences. These are all important considerations to keep in mind when mulling over the question of whether or not you need a personal injury attorney.
Five Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You Need Knowledgeable Support
Insurance companies have teams of people helping them navigate the complexities of personal injury law. Yes, there may be some simple cases where if you are injured and file a claim, it will be settled without a problem. But the odds are that the situation will be more complicated than that. You are likely to need experts on your side to help guide you and watch out for your best interests.
You Sustained Long-Term Injuries
That expert knowledge is especially necessary in the case of long-term injuries. Determining the impact on your future earnings, in addition to the medical assistance you may need over time, is a complicated endeavor that requires experienced assistance.
Your Injuries are Severe
In the case of severe injuries, your potential compensation for medical care and more could be close to the limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy. This is a case when having an experienced personal injury attorney could offer significant benefits for you.
Liability is Difficult to Determine
If there are multiple parties involved in your situation, it can be tricky to say who is at fault and by how much. For example, the state of Ohio has “shared fault” laws. This means that if you are determined to be at fault in any degree for an accident, it will affect how much compensation you could receive, depending upon how much fault the other involved parties are found to have. A jury might determine that you were 15% at fault and thus reduce your compensation by 15%. These legal situations can quickly become too complicated for someone who doesn’t have an attorney’s help.
The Insurance Company Won’t Pay
In some cases, insurance companies have been known to refuse payment to the injured party. Or, they may insist on a much lower payment than necessary. For example, they may dispute your medical bills, or even refuse to offer a settlement.As you can see, there are many reasons why it’s a good idea to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. This is also one legal situation where cost is less of an obstacle– your first appointment will almost certainly be free. Furthermore, most of the time, personal injury lawyers don’t collect payment from you unless there’s a settlement. As with all your legal questions, if you have further concerns or need help with these matters, reach out to us at 513-892-3400. PHOTO: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain