7 Signs You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Every year in the U.S., accidents and unintentional injuries send 39.5 million Americans to the doctor's office and 29.2 million to the emergency room.

Have you experienced an injury, such as a slip, trip, or fall, recently? Are you unsure of how to proceed and get compensated for your troubles?

It's not always easy to tell if you should hire an attorney for personal injuries.

If you're on the fence, evaluate your situation and consider whether or not any of these signs are present. If they are, there's a good chance that hiring an attorney will work in your favor.

Signs You Need to Hire an Attorney for Personal Injuries

After experiencing an accidental injury, a lot of people are hesitant to contact an attorney. There are many situations in which getting an attorney's help is the best thing you can do, though.

Here are some signs to look out for that indicate hiring an attorney is the next best step for you to take:

1. You Have Severe Injuries

Did you have to spend a lot of time in the hospital following your accident? Have you had to have surgery? Have you had to make multiple trips to the doctor's office to get them treated? 

If this is the case, your injuries are likely severe and will cost a lot of money to cover. This is a sign that a personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you need.

2. You Have Long-Term or Disabling Injuries

Is it going to be possible for you to make a full recovery from your injuries? Will they cause long-term, chronic pain? Will they impede you from participating in certain activities?

If this is true for you, especially if they prevent you from doing your job to the best of your abilities, that's a good sign an attorney's services are required to secure an adequate settlement. 

3. Liability for Your Injuries Is Unclear

Sometimes, the at-fault party isn't clear when you're dealing with a personal injury case. For example, if there were multiple cars involved in the accident, it can be hard to determine who caused it and who's insurance company should be responsible for covering the damages.

When this happens, you can find yourself caught in the crosshairs and unable to get the compensation you deserve. An attorney will help to speed the process up and ensure you get compensated no matter who's ultimately found guilty.

4. The Insurance Company Is Refusing to Pay

If the insurance company has refused to provide you with a payout to cover the cost of your injuries, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Whether they're refusing to pay because they think someone else is at-fault or because they are casting doubt on the severity of your injuries, an attorney will help to get things sorted out and ensure you get paid. 

5. Your Settlement Seems too Low

Maybe the insurance company has agreed to pay, but the amount they're paying you is insultingly low. If they haven't offered you a settlement that will cover your injuries and long-term treatment, you'll need to counter their settlement with a new number.

Working with an attorney can make this process a lot easier and increase the likelihood that you'll be taken seriously.

6. The Other Parties Have Hired Lawyers  

If other parties who were involved in your accident have lawyered up, you ought to as well.

In a perfect world, you'd be able to get everything resolved without a lawyer's help. If they've invested in professional counsel, though, you need to, too, if you want to have a chance of getting the settlement you deserve. 

7. You're Overwhelmed with Your Case

Finally, if you're just flat-out overwhelmed with your case and don't know how to proceed, it might be worth it for you to hire an attorney. They can help you through the claims filing process and ensure you do everything correctly the first time around.

Having someone advocate for you is invaluable after you've been involved in an accident. 

Tips for Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

If any of these signs apply to your case, it'll be in your best interest to hire an attorney. Keep these tips in mind to ensure you're hiring the right one for the job:

Ask for Referrals

Start by reaching out to friends and family members. Ask if they know of or have worked with any personal injury attorneys who can assist you. 

Do Your Research

Once you have a list of candidates, do some research on your own to learn more about them. Find out where they went to school and how long they've been practicing.

Consider Their Specialty

Consider each candidate's specialty, too. Do they have knowledge of things like digital forensic imaging? Do they specialize in a particular type of personal injury law (car accident, slip-and-fall, dog bite, etc.)? 

Discuss Fee Schedules

Reach out to the attorneys you're considering and ask about their fee schedule. How do they charge for their services? When do they require you to pay? 

Schedule a Consultation

Ask to schedule a consultation to talk over the phone or in-person before you make a decision. This gives you a chance to get to know the attorney and see how well you get along.

Trust Your Gut

Finally, trust your gut. Pay attention to how you feel and how you're treated when you meet with each attorney. This is an indicator of how you'll be treated throughout your case, so it's important to make sure you like and trust this person before hiring them.

Is Hiring an Attorney Right for You?

Now that you know more about what an attorney for personal injuries can do for you, as well as how you can choose one who's qualified to assist with your case, it's time to take action.

Do any of the signs listed above resonate with you? If so, keep these tips in mind and begin your search for an attorney who will help you get the settlement you deserve.

If you need more assistance hiring an attorney or handling your personal injury claim with ease, check out some of the other personal injury-related articles on our site today.