If you or someone you love was involved in an automobile accident, a slip-and-fall accident, or another type of personal injury matter, can you handle the claim on your own or should you hire a personal injury attorney? The answer depends largely on the facts and circumstances of the injury. In situations where someone else was responsible for causing your injuries and those injuries are more severe than run-of-the-mill bumps and bruises from which you are likely to heal quickly and without medical care, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer may help you obtain a better result.
Determining When to Seek Legal Help
Knowing when to call an attorney for help and when you can handle a claim on your own isn’t intuitive. Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to these, schedule a consultation with a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and advise you on recommended next steps.
- Were your injuries someone else’s fault, at least mostly?
- Did your injuries require medical treatment?
- Did your injuries keep you from being able to work?
- Are you likely to have a long recovery time?
- Were you offered a settlement amount from the other party’s insurance company that you don’t feel is fair or that will not adequately compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing treatment?
When You May Not Need a Lawyer
If your injuries were limited to scrapes and bruises and if the only damage was to your vehicle or other personal property, you probably don’t need a personal injury attorney. In these situations, the responsible party’s insurance company (or your insurer, in some cases) will likely offer a settlement amount to compensate you for the damage. Having said that, remember that once a case is settled it is almost impossible to reopen a case. Sometimes the full extent of an injury cannot be known in a short amount of time.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
When you hire a Wisconsin personal injury attorney, you will have an experienced advocate in your corner who understands Wisconsin law and isn’t afraid to fight for your rights and best interests. Your attorney will work to gather relevant evidence, build your case, and will handle all of the communications and interactions with the other party and that party’s insurance company.
Hiring an attorney does not necessarily mean your case will have to go to court. In fact, most personal injury claims are settled out of court. When you work with an attorney, you’ll have a skilled negotiator working behind the scenes toward the best possible outcome for your case. If your case does go before a judge, having an experienced, knowledgeable personal injury attorney arguing on your behalf may help you obtain more compensation.
Contact GCW
If you were injured in a personal injury accident, you owe it to yourself to explore all of your options. Before you sign any kind of a release or agree to a settlement from an insurance company, contact GCW Lawyers in Madison, Milwaukee, or Eau Claire to schedule a free consultation for your case.
