(Newswire.net — March 21, 2018) — When you’re hurt in a personal injury accident, you want to do everything that you can to receive fair compensation for your injuries, resolve your case as quickly as possible and rebuild your life. You might wonder if you should try to go it alone or work with an attorney. If your case is simple or if the responsible party quickly offers you a settlement that covers your losses, you may be able to go it alone. Other times, your best bet is to work with an experienced attorney.
Here’s how to know when you should let a personal injury lawyer take over your case:
When there are factual disagreements about the case
Sometimes, it might not be clear what happened in the case. The other side may not want to admit the truth. If there are disagreements about what happened to cause your injuries, it’s critical to build the evidence that supports your version of events.
You might need to contact witnesses and collect their statements. You may need to conduct depositions, examine a scene, look at tangible pieces of evidence or work with an expert witness. An experienced attorney can help you put the evidence together in a way that builds a strong case.
If you’re not sure how to value your damages
When you’re the victim of a personal injury accident, there’s a wide range of damages that might be applicable in your case. Many people make the mistake of assuming that you can only recover for your medical bills. There are many other types of damages that may be an option. If you’re not sure what damages are available in your case or if you’re not sure how to put a dollar value on your damages, allowing a lawyer to take over can be what you need to make sure that you don’t miss out.
When there are legal issues that are hard to understand
Sometimes, a case comes down to a complicated legal issue. The parties might disagree about whether certain pieces of evidence are admissible at trial. They might disagree about what the law says or how the law applies to the case. If the other side makes a pretrial motion to the court, you have to respond to it appropriately.
If these issues arise in your case, it’s a good time to let a lawyer take over. A lawyer can help you with the legal arguments and the procedural questions to make sure that you don’t make critical errors. They can also work with you to make sure that you can take advantage of legal procedures that can help you build your case.
If you’re frustrated by dealing with the other side
Most personal injury cases resolve before the case gets to a jury trial. That makes it critical to negotiate appropriately with the other side. It’s critical to know when to send a demand letter and when to reject a settlement offer. The other side might try to intimidate you and tell you things that are untrue. An attorney can help you sort out the truth and negotiate with the other side on your behalf.
Knowing when to hire an attorney
Suffering from a personal injury accident is a stressful event. If you’re facing stress or uncertainty in your case, allowing a lawyer to take over can allow you to focus your energies on your recovery. While you still control the decisions in your case, an attorney can help you plan and implement a strategy that’s calculated to build a strong case and rebuild your life as fast as you can.