Sometimes when individuals suffer personal injuries, they believe that they can pursue a claim by themselves without hiring a lawyer. Insurance companies may offer to settle the claim before lawsuits are contemplated, and people may think that it will be easier and cheaper to resolve their claim without counsel. Nevertheless, residents of Pennsylvania and other states should know the benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney.
Valuing a case
One of the most important reasons you should hire a personal injury attorney is because lawyers should have a good sense of the value of a personal injury case. Insurance companies often only offer a small sum to settle a claim, and individuals may be tempted to accept such money because they do not know how much money they should recover for their injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney should know the proper compensation for a claim and can help ensure that clients receive a fair amount of damages for their injuries.
Bigger offers
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can also improve the offer a client receives to settle a claim. Insurance companies may think that they can boss around an unrepresented individual because they may not be experienced in legal matters. However, hiring a lawyer shows that you are serious about your claim and are willing to take a matte to court if necessary, and this can increase the amount of money that is offered to resolve a dispute.
Preserve your options
Hiring a lawyer also ensures that you are capable of taking all available steps to prosecute a claim and recover damages. It is very difficult to file a lawsuit without the help of a lawyer, and hiring counsel helps ensure that your legal rights are preserved.
Advice
A lawyer can also provide critical advice relating to prosecuting a claim, including which physicians may be consulted to treat injuries, how individuals can preserve evidence that may be relevant to a claim, and other matters. In order to have an advocate in your corner during all parts of the claim-resolution process, individuals should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer after suffering personal injuries caused by the negligence of another.