After an accident, should you hire a personal injury lawyer? Many accident victims struggle with this question. Usually, they are concerned that hiring a lawyer will make the process adversarial, or that it will take too long to find out if they will recover compensation for their injuries. In some cases, they simply do not understand their legal rights; or, worse, they assume that they are to blame for their own accident-related losses. Then, there are questions about costs: Isn’t hiring an attorney expensive? Wouldn’t I be better off not paying a lawyer and trying to deal with the insurance companies on my own?
But, the truth of the matter is, in serious accident cases, many victims simply cannot afford to go without legal representation. The long-term effects of traumatic injuries can be substantial, and accident victims can face significant financial burdens if they fail to recover just compensation. Hiring a lawyer not only gives you the best chance of securing a financial recovery, but it also helps ensure that you will not unknowingly settle for less than you deserve.
When Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
A personal injury lawyer can help you if you have suffered serious injuries in an accident that was someone else’s fault. In legal terms, this is known as “negligence.” If another person’s or company’s negligence is to blame for your injuries, under Florida law, you are entitled to full and fair compensation for the financial, physical and emotional costs of your injuries. Some of the most-common situations in which accident victims will benefit from legal representation include:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Construction accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slips, trips and falls on public or private property
What are the Risks if I Don’t Hire an Attorney?
If you do not hire an attorney, you are not likely to recover full compensation for your injuries. There are a number of reasons why. An experienced attorney will be able to accurately calculate your current and future losses to determine what your case is worth. Your attorney will also be able to collect the evidence needed to prove your claim and dispute any allegations the insurance companies may try to use to reduce or deny your financial recovery. Hiring an attorney also lets the insurance companies know that you are serious about securing just compensation, and that you are prepared to go to court if necessary.
Isn’t it Expensive to Hire an Attorney?
Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that your attorney only gets paid if he or she wins your case – either through a negotiated insurance settlement or a favorable verdict at trial. It should cost you nothing out of pocket to hire a personal injury lawyer. If a personal injury lawyer asks you for a retainer fee, you should seek alternate legal representation.
More Questions? Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you have more questions about the benefits of seeking legal representation after an accident in Orange Park, FL, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with one of our personal injury attorneys in confidence, please call (904) 737-4700 or request an appointment online today.
