If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering whether or not you need to hire a personal injury lawyer. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every situation is different, and the best way to know whether you need legal representation is to speak with an attorney.
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we offer free case reviews to accident victims throughout Tampa Bay and its surrounding areas. We will evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of action. Contact us today to get started.
Is It Worth Hiring an Attorney For Your Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injuries whether in the workplace or from a car accident can alter your life in drastic ways. Generally, if you’ve suffered injuries of any kind, it is beneficial to hire a personal injury attorney.
If you’re unsure about whether it’s worth it, you can ask for referrals to help you find an experienced attorney that will give you peace of mind that you’re making the right choice.
7 Reasons To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to hire a personal injury lawyer, consider these seven reasons why it may be in your best interest:
1. You Suffered Injuries or a Permanent Disability
If you’ve suffered injuries, it doesn’t matter what they are; it’s best to have an attorney on your side who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Often, clients don’t consider the full extent of their injuries or the costs that may be associated with them both in the past and future when they file their claim.
You should hire a lawyer if you’ve suffered:
- Severe injury
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Temporary disability
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Long-term care expenses
An experienced personal injury attorney will not only help you calculate the monetary value of these damages, but they will also know how to negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available to you.
2. Fault is Unclear, or You Were Partially at Fault
If liability is unclear or you were partially at fault for the accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer is in your best interests. In Florida, if you are partially at fault, you may still recover damages from the other party. Personal injury attorneys help you determine whether or not you have a case and what your best options are for pursuing a claim if either of these situations arises.
Still, even in cases where the liability is clear, the other party’s insurance company may try to minimize the amount of money they have to pay. An attorney will gather evidence to help prove your claim.
3. The Insurance Company Refuses to Negotiate in Good Faith
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, but insurance companies sometimes refuse to offer a fair settlement. If this happens, you may have no choice but to take them to court in a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer will know what it takes to file your claim, present your case in court, and fight for the best possible outcome.
The insurance company may also try to take advantage of you if you don’t have an attorney by offering a lowball settlement offer or dragging out the claims process. Hiring an attorney can help ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company and receive the total compensation you are entitled to.
4. You May Get a Larger Settlement Offer With an Attorney
While no one can guarantee you will get a larger settlement offer with an attorney, it is often the case. Attorneys generally have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies. They know how to build a strong case and what evidence to look for. This may give you an advantage when it comes time to negotiate a settlement.
5. There’s No Cost to You if You Don’t Win
Most people are worried about the costs of hiring a lawyer, and rightfully so. Claims and lawsuits can be expensive ventures. However, when working with a personal injury law firm, you don’t have to pay the attorney anything unless they win your case.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if you win your case. If you don’t win, you don’t owe them anything. This is a risk-free way to hire an attorney and get the compensation you deserve.
6. Multiple Parties Are Involved
In some accidents, there may be multiple parties that are at fault. For example, if you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck, the truck driver and the trucking company may be liable. If multiple parties are involved, negotiating a settlement can be more complicated.
A personal injury lawyer will handle communication with insurance companies to try to reach a fair settlement.
7. The Claim Involves a Government Entity
In some cases, the government may be liable for your injuries. For example, if you were injured in a car accident caused by a defective road, you may be able to sue the government. If you were involved in an accident with a USPS truck, you might be able to sue the Postal Service.
Claims against the government are different than other personal injury claims. You usually have a shorter period to file a claim, and special rules may apply. An attorney will know how to navigate these rules and help you get your claim filed and settled within the time limit.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
In Florida, you have two years to file or settle a personal injury claim. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file or settle a claim. If you do not file within this time period, you will be barred from pursuing any compensation for your injuries.
We realize this may seem like a long time, but it is important to remember that various factors impact the length of time it will take your case to settle. Talking to an attorney as soon as possible ensures that they can begin investigating your claim and gathering evidence.
What The Fran Haasch Law Group Can Do For Your Personal Injury Case
The Fran Haasch Law Group focuses on helping you and your family recover. We pursue personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims to obtain full compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, and more.
With over 21 years of experience, we draw on constant legal and medical research to help clients recover after being injured in auto accidents in Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. Founding personal injury attorney, Fran Haasch, is a lifetime member of the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum and a member of the American Association for Justice, the Florida Justice Association, and the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association.
Our attorneys are skilled and experienced litigators. We are not afraid to take your lawsuit to trial if necessary. No matter how complicated your case, our firm is here to help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we have over 21 years of helping injury victims in various areas in the Tampa Bay Area. We handle claims such as:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Wrongful Death Claims
- Semi-Truck Accidents
- Scooter Accidents
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we are committed to fighting for your fair recovery. We strive to help injured individuals and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed secure the full, fair recovery they are owed. We offer dedicated legal representation for injury victims.
Our attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the legal process and work toward securing the maximum compensation you are owed. Call (727) 784-8191 or contact us online to get started on receiving maximum compensation for your personal injury case.
