You’ve been in an accident, and you want to pursue the compensation you deserve. But instead of hiring a lawyer to handle your claim, you consider going it alone. After all, why hire a lawyer if you don’t have to, right?
There are many stigmas attached to lawyers. So pervasive are these myths that some people believe them even though they have never hired an attorney before. Unfortunately, these false beliefs result in victims of injuries (due to someone else’s negligence) not getting the compensation they deserve and wondering what went wrong.
Don’t become a statistic. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths surrounding hiring a personal injury lawyer so that you can get the compassionate legal counsel you need to win your case and get the compensation you deserve.
Myth #1: You Don’t Need A Lawyer to File A Claim
The above sentiment is true: filing a claim with an insurance company can be done without legal counsel. But there’s a big difference between filing a claim and filing an effective claim. That’s where having a personal injury lawyer becomes invaluable.
The job of the insurance adjuster is to save their client’s (and, by proxy their own) money and pay out as little as possible. So when they’re talking to you, they’ll use everything you say (or don’t) to bend your words to their advantage and reduce the amount of money the insurance company will pay. It’s very easy to become confused and overwhelmed by their tactics, and without legal counsel in your corner, you could diminish or destroy your case.
Before filing a claim, you should first contact a personal injury lawyer to represent you. They will guide you through the entire claim process, including coaching you on what to say to the adjuster. If you follow your lawyer’s advice, you’re much less likely to make a costly mistake with your claim.
Myth #2: Attorneys Are Too Expensive
Some people who choose to forgo an attorney do so because they feel like they have to. They believe that they can’t afford to hire an attorney, even if they have a strong case. In addition, they may worry that, even if they win, they’ll be stuck paying the bill long afterward.
While it’s true that legal fees can be expensive, the final bill doesn’t have to come as a surprise. An experienced personal injury lawyer will tell you their costs upfront before you hire them. Moreover, most personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency basis and only bill you if your claim succeeds.
If you think that hiring a personal injury attorney is still too expensive, consider how much work they do for every client. Tracking down records, gathering evidence, talking with adjusters, filing paperwork, and negotiating settlements are all complex procedures they do on behalf of their clients.
Myth #3: My Injuries Don’t Warrant A Claim
All too often, people who suffer an accident never file a claim. For whatever reason, they think that their injuries are typical, minor, or otherwise not worth a settlement. They believe there’s some sort of standard that they don’t meet and choose to leave money on the table.
No matter how minor your injuries are, you need to consider the cost of treating them. Additionally, the full extent of your injuries may not reveal themselves at the time of the accident. Finally, even injuries that seem minor can worsen over days and weeks.
Before deciding on filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should seek medical treatment to determine the severity of your injuries. A personal injury attorney can then help you maximize your claim. You can recoup any costs related to your visit and treatment (even future treatment) by filing a claim.
Myth #4: An Attorney Will Take Most of My Settlement
Even if you can afford an attorney, you might be worried that you’ll have to pay them the majority of your final settlement. After all that time and work, you fear what you get won’t be worth the time and effort. If that’s the case, why bother filing a claim at all?
The above worry is especially prevalent among those who have never hired a lawyer before. In truth, as part of hiring your lawyer, you need to sign an agreement. You can negotiate the terms before signing, including what percentage of the final award you’ll pay them. You’re paying them to do the heavy lifting for you, and often their fees will be a small fraction of the settlement you win.
The point is, at no point should you be surprised by what your lawyer charges so long as you carefully examine the contract. You should feel comfortable negotiating the terms. You’ll find most lawyers can be pretty flexible with their clients.
Trust Hann Law Firm to Handle Your Personal Injury Claim
Choosing to file your claim without an attorney is a massive gamble that’s not likely to pay off. A lawyer can help you get the most out of your claim so you can get your life back on track. But how do you know which lawyers have the experience you need?
Don’t risk making the wrong decision. Choose Hann Law Firm instead.
At Hann Law Firm, we take a personal approach from the start. Listening to our clients is at the heart of our success in the courtroom. When you work with us, we’ll address your specific challenges, prepare diligently for the best possible outcome, and create a personalized approach to help achieve your goals.
While other firms see a case number and a bottom line, we see each client as a human being who deserves to be heard. We know your case is important to you, and we’ll take it just as personally. You and your case matters to us.
We serve the communities of San Jose and help clients with personal injury claims, civil suits, family law, criminal defense, and business law.
Contact us for your free consultation and get quality, compassionate legal help today.
