Top Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

I understand why you would be hesitant to contact a personal injury attorney if you've been in a car accident.

"Do I need legal representation if I wasn't injured?" or "Won't the insurance company take care of it for me?" are questions you might ask yourself.

And you'll probably think to yourself, "Aren't lawyers expensive?"

To each of these three pointed questions, I reply, "It depends."

Whether or not you have been injured, there are many undeniable advantages of hiring a personal injury attorney. In the most basic level, a skilled personal injury lawyer is familiar with the legal system and can advise you on the appropriate course of action. Still, at the end of the day, it is up to you to determine whether or not you want to hire a lawyer.

I've written this article to share my best advice on when it's worth hiring an attorney and when you may be able to handle your case on your own to help you make the decision with confidence.

Is Hiring an Attorney on a Personal Injury Claim Worth It?

Personal injuries sustained in the workplace or as a result of an automobile accident can be life-altering. As a general rule, the more serious the injury, the more complicated the case will be, and the more valuable a personal injury attorney will be to you.

If you're unsure, trusted references will help you find a trustworthy, experienced attorney who will give you confidence that you're making the best choice for your situation.

Then look no further than the six compelling reasons mentioned below for hiring a lawyer and entrusting your case to their care.

6 Reasons to Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

1. You Were Injured as a Result of the Accident

As previously mentioned, serious injuries are common in car accidents. They might also be the rule in high-speed collisions.

If you've been injured, a personal injury attorney will help you get the money you deserve for your losses.

A personal injury attorney may assist you in maximizing the value of your injury claim or litigation. If you have any of the following symptoms as a result of the injury, you can seek legal advice immediately.

• Disablement for Life

• Temporary incapacitation

• Suffering and pain

• Serious Injuries

If you have been injured as a result of someone else's negligence, you should focus on your rehabilitation and getting well rather than fighting for your right to equal compensation. Allow an attorney to represent you in court.

2. The issue of liability is unclear.

If it's unclear who was at fault for the crash, you should consult a lawyer.

It is your duty to prove your innocence if liability is uncertain. To do that, you'll need a lot of proof that your injuries were caused by someone else's negligence.

Police reports, photographs of the crash, the official accident report, medical records, and eyewitness testimony, for example, are all pieces of evidence you must gather, compile, and use to prove your case in a car accident.

If you claim someone else's negligence caused the injury, you must show the other party's negligence in order to have a valid case.

And if you were partly or entirely at fault for the crash, you should probably seek legal advice.

3. You need assistance in dealing with the insurance company.

Working with insurance adjusters is notoriously difficult. An accomplished lawyer who understands the art of persuasion and negotiation will assist you.

As an accident survivor, the aim is to get the most money possible for your losses. Let's say you have a lot of medical costs, property loss, or pain and suffering that you need to pay for. In that scenario, you owe it to yourself and your future to do everything possible to obtain the maximum amount of money (fairly, of course).

Accident victims deserve a reasonable payout, but adjusters will do whatever they can to restrict the bid. Make no mistake: their idea of a "fair settlement" is rarely the same as yours.

When you're on your own, an insurance adjuster would almost definitely have the upper hand. They are aware of the rules. They have mastered the art of persuading you that a low-ball deal is in your best interests when it isn't.

An accomplished attorney can step in, manage the insurance firm on your behalf, and help level the playing field by negotiating effectively to show the true value of your case.

4. Victims that are represented by a lawyer receive larger settlements.

Since plaintiffs are not qualified negotiators, they are not always capable of finding the best possible result for their case (in terms of compensation), as I just stated. Claimants who retain the services of a personal injury lawyer, on the other hand, are more likely to obtain greater settlements.

Settlements were 40 percent higher when claimants were represented by a lawyer, according to a survey by the Insurance Research Council.

Consider it for a moment. An attorney who is well-versed in all of the tricks and tactics knows which levers to pull to achieve the best result.

In certain ways, handling a personal injury case on your own is similar to learning to drive for the first time. You could be in for a bumpy ride if you have never done it before.

5. If you don't win, there's no cost to you.

The cost of hiring an attorney is one of the most frequently expressed complaints.

There are a plethora of jokes about this subject. Indeed, the hourly rate of most legal practitioners is higher than the national average, but here's the thing: almost every personal injury attorney in the country works on a contingency fee basis.

This means you don't have to pay anything unless you win.

You've already seen the invitation to schedule a free consultation if you've ever visited a personal injury law firm's website. My own company, Bruscato Law, has a similar bid.

There are no upfront costs to you—no legal bills of any kind. Credit comes into play only after the case has been won.

In most cases, the attorney's fee would be a fixed amount of the final compensation payment, normally between 20% and 40%. In this way, hiring an attorney is not an out-of-pocket expense. If a satisfactory result is reached, it is simply deducted from the settlement bid.

6. You should hire an attorney to represent you in court.

An attorney may file a motion to take the case to court if the settlement offer is too low or if the opposing party refuses to settle.

Attempting to defend yourself in a court of law may be a frightening prospect. If necessary, Bruscato Law Firm will defend you and prosecute your personal injury case in a court of law.

For a free case review, contact Bruscato today.

Managing Your Own Case

I just went through six reasons why hiring a personal injury lawyer is a good idea. If you're still considering handling your case on your own, I'll clarify the circumstances under which it could make sense.

For someone to effectively handle their own case and obtain a reasonable settlement offer, the conditions must typically be ideal. If any of the above circumstances apply to you, you might be able to handle your case on your own, but I would also advise you to seek legal advice before making that decision.

Minor Injuries

Minor car accidents occur on a daily basis, and in the vast majority of cases, no one is hurt.

Parking lot collisions, rear-end collisions, and other low-speed collisions can cause vehicle harm, but if no one is hurt, you should be able to handle the situation yourself.

It might be sufficient to file an insurance claim for your own or the other driver's insurance provider to obtain coverage for the accident. If the service and the compensation awarded to recoup the damages turn out to be satisfactory, you do not need to hire an attorney.

You are a resident of a no-fault state.

If you live in a no-fault jurisdiction, you might even want to try handling your case on your own.

The following are the no-fault states:

• Florida

• Hawaii

• Kentucky

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Dakota

• Pennsylvania

• Puerto Rico

• Utah

You can't sue a reckless driver in a no-fault state unless the injuries are severe enough. The extent of the injuries or the cost of treating them decide the severity.

In a no-fault lawsuit, your personal injury protection insurance policy is limited to covering your costs and losses (PIP). However, if the injuries are serious enough to surpass this coverage, you can consult an attorney.

You're a Confident Negotiator

You must be willing to negotiate with the insurance adjuster if you want to receive a reasonable payout.

If you are one of the few humans who is a calm, competent, and successful negotiator, you might be able to handle your case on your own.

To get the best settlement deal on your insurance claim, you must present the strongest argument possible for your injuries and persuade the insurance provider to pay you a reasonable amount.

Insurance adjusters do not care if you get what you want. They want to give you the absolute minimum of coverage that your insurance policy allows.

To maximize your payout, you must be able to negotiate effectively. However, if you are unsure of your skills, an experienced attorney will represent you in negotiations.

You're willing to try your hand at being an amateur lawyer for a while.

If you are the type of person who insists on working things out on their own, managing your own case might be the best option for you. The legal process has a lot of moving parts that you need to consider if you want to make a strong argument.

If it's medical malpractice or specialized personal injury law, you essentially have to become an amateur attorney and put in the effort to first appreciate the legal landscape and then work through it to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Keep in mind that in Louisiana, the statute of limitations is just one year. So, if you're planning on studying personal injury law, keep in mind that the clock starts ticking the moment the accident happens.

In Monroe, Louisiana, Bruscato is a well-known personal injury law firm.

As you might be aware, there are several advantages of having an experienced solicitor to handle your personal injury claim or lawsuit.

A personal injury lawyer won't charge you anything up front, and they'll know how to fight for your legal rights to equal compensation.

Contact Bruscato Law Firm today for a free initial consultation if you have any concerns about your case or would like to talk with a personal injury attorney. John Bruscato is a personal injury lawyer who specializes in auto accidents, workers' compensation, and personal injury litigation. He operates on a contingency basis, meaning you don't have to pay anything until you win.