Good afternoon. I wanted to speak on some important reasons why you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney if you’ve been injured.
Number one is the proper evaluation of your case. Every case is unique, even two car wrecks that may look substantially similar at first glance may vary widely in potential evaluation. You might’ve incurred outstanding medical bills. You may have lost wages. You may have also suffered some intangible damages, such as physical pain and mental anguish. It’s important that all these aspects have been considered and properly valued. An experienced attorney will be able to properly analyze these factors. So you were in the best position to be fairly compensated.
Number two is experience in negotiations. The opposing side can be tough to negotiate with and we’ll generally scrutinize certain aspects of your case. With a case properly valued, an attorney will be able to articulate your specific case issues and fight for a fair settlement.
This next point goes hand in hand with negotiations, and that’s the threat of a lawsuit. When you have an attorney on your side, there is an ever threat of litigation. And this is going to add leverage to your negotiation position. Remember, there is less incentive for the opposing side to be reasonable when they have no repercussions. If negotiations fail, filing a lawsuit may be the next step in the process.
If a lawsuit needs to be filed, it can be a complicated process. Certain questions may arise, like who are the proper parties that need to be included? Are there commercial entities at play, which depositions should be taken? Are there experts that need to be consulted? Is mediation a good option or is trial the best strategy? These are just a few examples of what might need to be considered. An experienced attorney will be able to help you navigate through those litigation waters.
Now, most personal injury attorneys work on what’s called a contingency fee basis. It means that if a settlement or judgment is obtained, a percentage of that will go to the attorney. What this means for you is there are no upfront costs. And if there is no settlement or judgment, you do not owe any money.
Being injured can be an overwhelming and scary event. At the end of the day, it never hurts to consult with an attorney and weigh your options. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
Thank you for all and I wish you the best of luck.