Do I Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

We are often asked by potential clients whether or not they need to hire a lawyer for their personal injury case. The answer depends upon a number of considerations.

#1: How significant were the injuries?

If a potential client has very minor injuries that resolved in a few days or weeks, for example, I will tell them they probably don’t need legal representation.

The exception is when some other complicating factor is involved (e.g., liability dispute or coverage issue).

#2: How complicated is the claim?

If a potential client has a complex claim that involves extensive injuries, numerous medical providers, liens, and/or coverage issues, I always recommend having at least a thorough consultation with a competent lawyer. Sometimes clients will underestimate just how complicated their claim is and end up hurting their chances of making a good recovery in the long run.

#3: Is the insurance adjuster being difficult?

Sometimes it is advisable to hire a personal injury lawyer when the insurance adjuster assigned to the claim is simply being unreasonable and/or rude. (This happens a lot.) This is one of the primary reasons people seek representation. I often let people know that in my experience rude insurance adjusters often make unreasonable settlement offers, so it is advisable to retain counsel and better their odds. The other advantage here, of course, is simply not having to deal with the rude adjuster and instead letting your attorney deal with the adjuster.

While the above factors are in no way exhaustive, asking these questions should help you make a sensible determination of whether to consult a personal injury attorney in your own situation. If you’d like a free evaluation of your case, call us at 513-737-5180 or contact us online via our website.