This is one of the most common questions that arises after someone has been in an accident. There’s the all-important choice between hiring an attorney and taking care of the legal matters on your own.
However, there are some situations that do warrant the expert hand of an accident attorney.
When To Hire a Lawyer Checklist
Can you handle your own claim, or should you hire an attorney? Use this worksheet to determine when you should consider hiring a personal injury or workers' comp lawyer.
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Serious injuries can require extensive hospital stays, lost time at work, or long-term health effects. If your injury takes a similar toll, it can be best to hire an attorney. Since the cost of these medical treatments will be high, insurance companies will put up more of a fight against paying for the bill, and an attorney can help negotiate.
If your insurance company fails to answer questions you have, changes your policy without your knowledge, or denies a claim covered by your policy, they may be trying to avoid paying your compensation. Accident attorneys can help you communicate and negotiate with your insurance company in order to reverse these wrongs.
Sometimes it isn’t clear who exactly is to blame for your accident, especially in accidents involving multiple cars or questionable areas like construction zones. That being said, liability disputes can turn complicated very quickly, and an attorney can help resolve the issues.
If the details of the police or medical reports contradict one another, it can be an easy reason for insurance companies to lower your compensation or deny your claim altogether. If any details conflict, it’s best to let a personal injury lawyer iron out the kinks.
Check back on the blog for more answers to your legal questions. If you want to know more about when you should call a personal injury lawyer, check out our article “When Do I Need a Lawyer after an Accident?”