Anyone who gets into an accident and is injured by the negligence of someone else may have a personal injury case on their hands. Under personal injury law, you can seek compensation for the financial losses you’ve incurred from these events to make your life as whole again as possible.
If you’re in this situation, you’ve likely wondered if you need a personal injury lawyer for your case. There is no law in Texas that states you must have legal representation. However, you may want to consider the following factors to make the best decision in your circumstances.
The Severity of Your Injuries
After seeking medical treatment, you may discover that you will need multiple surgeries or you will never fully recover from your injuries. When your injuries are serious, it’s better to work with an attorney. Your case will be much stronger and a personal injury lawyer will be working in your best interests to get you the maximum compensation.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
If you’ve spent $2,000 or less out of pocket, you may be able to handle your settlement with the insurance company. For high bills and expenses caused by your injuries, working with an attorney will ensure you don’t make a mistake that denies you a sufficient settlement.
It’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies always look out for their bottom line. They will look for ways to reduce their payout to you by assigning you some of the blame or taking advantage of you if you do not have legal representation.
Your Liability
In Texas, the modified comparative negligence rule means you could share some fault for the accident with the other party. Your percentage of fault could drastically reduce your payout. A personal injury lawyer will investigate your claim and present evidence to prevent you from incurring more liability than you deserve.
Peace of Mind
One of the best reasons to work with a personal injury lawyer is that you’ve been through a lot of stress and turmoil since you were hurt. If you represent yourself in your case, you will have to spend hours researching the applicable laws, make numerous phone calls, gather evidence, and negotiate on your own.
Personal injury attorneys do this for their clients, and they have access to resources that their clients don’t. Plus, they’re not doing all these things while recovering from painful and debilitating injuries.
Most personal injury attorneys will not collect any fees from you upfront and will only get paid if they win your case. Since they can strengthen your case and increase your compensation, you will generally get more than you would have if you handled your case without an attorney.
The best thing you can do is sit down for a free initial consultation with a lawyer soon after you’ve received medical treatment. They will be able to assess your case and see if you have a valid claim, then present your legal options.
