If you’ve been injured in an accident, you might be asking yourself, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” While some cases can be handled without an attorney, others require the support of a personal injury lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation. The right decision depends on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries and how insurance companies are treating your claim. To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- Are my injuries severe?
- Is the insurance company denying or shifting blame for my injuries?
- Has my injury affected my ability to work?
- Have I suffered physical pain or emotional distress?
- Do I know who was really at fault?
- Can I negotiate with the insurance company myself?
- How long has it been since the injury?
- What will Attorney Jim Glaser do for my case?
Are my injuries severe?
The severity of your injuries is a key factor in deciding whether to hire a personal injury lawyer. Minor injuries may not require legal assistance, but more serious ones—like broken bones, head trauma, or anything needing surgery or long-term care—can lead to high medical costs and long recovery times. These injuries can also prevent you from working, resulting in lost wages and added financial stress.
Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim or offer a quick, low settlement. A lawyer can help ensure that all your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impacts like pain and suffering are fully accounted for in your compensation.
Is the insurance company denying or shifting blame for my injuries?
If the insurance company has denied your personal injury claim or is attempting to shift the blame onto you, it’s time to consider legal help. Insurance companies often dispute claims by questioning liability or arguing that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed. In Massachusetts, if they succeed in proving you’re more than 50% responsible for the accident, you could be denied compensation entirely. A lawyer can fight back against these tactics by gathering evidence to challenge unfair claims and negotiate for the compensation you may deserve.
Has my injury affected my ability to work?
Missing time off work due to your injuries can have a huge financial impact, especially if you’re dealing with mounting medical bills on top of lost wages. Whether your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or result in a long-term disability, a personal injury claim can include compensation for lost income. However, calculating lost wages can be complicated, especially if you are self-employed or your future earning capacity has been affected.
Without legal guidance, you might miss out on recovering the full amount of wages tied to your injury.
Have I suffered physical pain or emotional distress?
Physical pain and emotional distress often extend far beyond the immediate aftermath of an accident. If you’re dealing with ongoing physical pain, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, these are important factors in your personal injury case. In addition to covering medical bills and lost wages, a claim can seek pain and suffering damages, which account for the non-economic impacts of your injury.
However, these damages can be difficult to quantify, and insurance companies often attempt to downplay or deny them. A personal injury lawyer can help document the extent of your pain and emotional suffering through medical records, psychological evaluations, and witness statements, helping you pursue compensation for the full scope of your suffering.
Do I know who was really at fault?
Determining who is truly at fault for your injury can be complicated. In some cases, it’s clear who caused the accident, but in others, multiple parties might share responsibility, or the cause may not be immediately obvious. For example, you might think another driver is responsible, but poor road conditions, faulty traffic signals, or defective products could also play a role. In such cases, you may even need to sue the city or another third party responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
Without a clear understanding of who is at fault, you could miss out on pursuing compensation from the correct parties. A personal injury lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is legally responsible for your injuries.
Can I negotiate with the insurance company myself?
While it’s possible to negotiate with the insurance company on your own, it can be a challenging and often frustrating process. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts, and they may use tactics such as offering low initial settlements, delaying the process, or disputing the extent of your injuries. If you don’t have experience handling these negotiations, you might not know the full value of your claim, and it’s easy to accept less than what you may deserve.
A personal injury lawyer understands how insurance adjusters operate and can handle these negotiations on your behalf. They know the tactics used by adjusters and can push for a fair settlement based on the full extent of your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and other damages like pain and suffering. Having legal representation levels the playing field and helps ensure you’re not shortchanged by insurance companies focused on protecting their bottom line.
How long has it been since the injury?
The amount of time that has passed since your injury is an important factor in determining whether you should consult a personal injury lawyer. In Massachusetts, there is a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing a personal injury claim. Typically, you have 3 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, but waiting too long can weaken your case. Over time, evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and witnesses may become harder to track down.
Even if you’re still within the time limit, the earlier you consult a lawyer, the stronger your case may be. A lawyer can gather evidence, review medical records, and handle negotiations while your case is still fresh. If too much time has passed, you risk losing the opportunity to pursue compensation altogether.
What will Attorney Jim Glaser do for my case?
Attorney Jim Glaser and his team are committed to guiding you through every step of your personal injury case. From the moment you reach out, they’ll work to protect your rights and help pursue the compensation you may deserve. Here’s what they offer:
- Thorough Case Investigation: We will collect all the necessary evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case that clearly outlines the extent of your personal injury and its impact.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Your attorney will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring that you’re not pressured into accepting a low settlement. They know how insurance companies operate and will work to protect your interests.
- Fighting for Maximum Compensation: Jim Glaser and his team evaluate the full scope of the damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs, to fight for the maximum compensation you are legally owed.
- Legal Guidance Every Step of the Way: Throughout your personal injury case, your attorney will provide clear, personalized legal advice, helping you make informed decisions and understand every part of the process.
If you’re ready to explore your options, fill out our online form for a free case review, and Jim Glaser Law will help you take the next steps toward recovering what you may deserve.
