Do I Really Need to Hire a Lawyer?

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is often a big decision.

If you are in a position to consider taking legal action, there is probably a good reason for it. However, not every accident is worth the time, effort, and energy. If you were involved in a fender-bender that was not your fault and need help with car repairs, you should not have to take on the expense yourself, but, it is often more prudent to work with your insurance than to spend months litigating a property damage case with an uncertain outcome.

This calculus changes considerably when and where serious injuries are involved.

A broken bone, concussion, or other potentially life-altering injury all but demands unfair sacrifice. Treatment costs money you will never see again; recovery takes time you cannot get back. The effect of an accident can quickly become overwhelming, wiping out savings accounts and upending your career. You cannot always power through or fall back on insurance.

Hiring a lawyer is often the best way to protect your rights after a serious accident, but it is not a decision to make lightly. If you think you could have a case, contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at 1-716-839-3939 to speak to a personal injury lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Do You Really Need A Lawyer?

You do not always need a lawyer to assert your rights.

You may not need representation if all of the following are true:

1. You were not seriously injured;
2. You did not sustain significant or extensive damage; and
3. You have received an offer of settlements that meets your existing and reasonably foreseeable needs.

If you were involved in a minor accident and nobody was injured, hiring an attorney might cost more than any potential payout. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they only accept payment as a percentage of a settlement or court award, but they might charge a flat fee if your injuries seem minor and your damages are limited.

3 Signs You Are Better Off With a Personal Injury Lawyer

You may need to consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney if:

1. You Have Been Seriously Injured

A serious injury is an injury that has a significant impact on your day-to-day life. The more severe your injuries are, the more money you will likely need to regain your financial footing. This means that you could be entitled to a broader range of damages, but it also gives the insurance company a strong incentive to settle early and for much less money than your claim is worth.

2. Another Person’s Negligence Caused Your Accident

You can only file a personal injury lawsuit if another person’s negligence caused your injuries. Proving causation is simple in theory but difficult in practice. Even cases that seem straightforward could quickly become complex if there is inadequate evidence or unanswered questions about shared liability.

3. You Need A Second Opinion

Some early-stage settlements are surprisingly fair, but most are structured with the insurance company’s profit margins in mind. It can be difficult to tell which is which, but once you make a decision, you cannot take it back.

If you are on the fence, it pays to speak to an attorney.

Contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today to schedule your free consultation and find out how much your case could be worth.