Is It A Good Idea To Get A Personal Injury Lawyer?
This is likely the question you have on your mind if you were recently in a personal injury accident. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents can happen almost anywhere–you may be walking down the road and a car could strike you and cause you to break your leg. Or, you may be enjoying a meal with your family at a restaurant and slip and fall on a puddle in the middle of the floor. When this is the case, you likely want compensation for your injuries. At the very least, you will probably have medical bills to pay and even physical therapy appointments. When this happens, one of the first things on your mind is likely questioning whether you need to hire an attorney.
Why You Shouldn’t Take On a Case Yourself
It can be tempting to try to figure out your personal injury case by yourself. You may think that it will save you the money of an attorney and the hassle of trying to find a good attorney. Instead, you may try to speak with the insurance company on your own and attempt to get compensated for your injuries. However, if you are not experienced with negotiation tactics and do not understand personal injury law, you may accept the first low-ball off you receive. Although it often sounds like a good amount of money, it is rarely enough to pay for continuing medical costs, physical therapy, your trips to and from the doctor’s office, and other expenses you need after a personal injury.
Finding the Right Personal Injury Attorney
There are a few ways that you can find the right personal injury attorney for your situation.
- Get a Reference. If you have any friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors who needed to use a personal injury attorney, it would be a good idea to get their opinions on people they have used for representation. When you get information from people you trust, you can make a list of lawyers you are willing to consult with.
- Make a Meeting. One of the first things you should do when you have a list of attorneys you are willing to talk with is make an appointment for a consultation. This can help you get a feel for how aggressive they will be with your case, if they think you have substantial evidence, and what they think the odds may be of winning your case. They can also help you to value your claim more so that you do not take the first offer you get.