Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured by the actions or negligence of another, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected. You may feel that you can save attorney’s fees by negotiating a settlement yourself, but the potential for disaster is enormous for the layman acting as his own counsel. There’s a reason for the old adage, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”

A personal injury case is incredibly complex. Even a seemingly minor injury can lead to significant expenses down the road, and the slightest misstep can do tremendous damage to your case. You need an experienced professional to handle issues like these:

• Filing a lawsuit requires compliance with very specific rules that vary from state to state. You can even lose your rights forever if the statute of limitations expires before you file.
• Negotiating a settlement requires extensive knowledge of insurance policies and provisions. The insurance company will try to procure a settlement as quickly and for as little money as possible. The mere fact that you don’t have an attorney will cause them to lower their settlement offer.
• You may be entitled to damages you are not even aware of. In addition to medical expenses, many states allow compensation for pain and suffering, mental duress, and loss of income. Knowing how much to demand in a settlement or at trial is impossible if you have no legal experience.
• Proving a case in court is extremely difficult and costly. In addition to legal expertise, you need access to substantial financial resources to cover your expenses until your case is resolved.

Studies have shown that the average insurance payout is three and a half times higher for clients who have hired an attorney than for those without one. It may turn out that you don’t need an attorney, but it’s in your best interest to find out. Contact Wendt Law Firm P.C. today for a free consultation. We will only receive a fee in the event of a successful resolution of your case.