When You Should Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

We all face what I call the “curve balls” of life at some point in our lives.

When you are the victim of accidents and incidents which cause you serious financial, physical and emotional harm and pain and suffering, you should consider a personal injury claim.

For some interesting statistics on personal injury in the USA, click here.

If you are in Illinois, you would be well advised to look at ZayedLawOffices.com. You will note that there are many specialty areas within personal injury law.

Let’s look at some of the areas of personal injury law together.

Initial Considerations

The most important consideration is the nature and extent of your injuries.

If your injuries are severe, you need to see a lawyer and appoint someone to represent you.

This will ensure that:

• You claim for the full spectrum of damages you are entitled to;
• The insurance company will take your matter much more seriously;
• You will get the maximum amount possible from negotiations.

However, if your injuries are inconsequential, appointing an attorney may not be necessary. For example, you suffered a small scratch on your arm when in a car accident, and there are no or meager costs associated with treatment and no long-term effects.

Be mindful that your injuries may be more severe than they first appear. For example, a rear-end collision may leave you feeling shaken with no apparent injuries. However, weeks or even months later, you may discover that you require extensive treatment for whiplash.

Your Insurance Company is Not Your Ally

Do not be fooled into thinking that the insurance company has your best interest at heart.

In any claim, you would be asking for the maximum possible amount. The insurance company will be looking to pay out the minimum amount as all payouts affect their bottom line, as they are profit-seeking institutions.

Personal injury attorneys spend a lot of time negotiating with insurance companies. As a result, they are aware of the tactics used to reduce claims.

It is best to allow your attorney to handle all communications with the insurance company. This will ensure that you are taken more seriously and will maximize the settlement amount.

The Thorny Issue of Fees

You need to bank the highest amount possible at the end of the day. Lawyers charge fees to represent you.

Almost all personal injury lawyers are prepared to work on a contingency fee basis. However, you only pay them after successful recovery on your claim.

You are far more likely to receive a significantly higher settlement by appointing a specialist personal injury attorney than if you decided to “go it alone”.

The first consultation usually is free. If the attorney elects to take your case, you will not be required to fund the case as the firm will take on that responsibility, and expenses and fees will be deducted at the successful conclusion of the case,

In Summary

Personal injury claims are complex and require the training and experience of professionals to maximize your claim.

Since the first consultation is free and fees are charged on a contingency basis, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer before deciding whether to appoint an attorney in your matter.