You don't always need a lawyer

While it is often a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer about your accident case, it doesn't always make sense to hire a lawyer.  The truth is you may not need a lawyer.  Here are some top reasons why you might not need a lawyer to handle your injury case:

1) If your injuries are minor or non-existent, you shouldn't hire a personal injury lawyer.  The inverse is true, if you have serious injuries (broken bones, herniated discs, surgery is required, major bruising...) then it might be a good idea to get a lawyer on board.  

2) If all you care about is getting your car fixed, getting a lawyer is not going to make much difference. Remember, personal injury lawyers focus on "injury" cases...not property damage.  Most injury attorneys will not handle a case that's only about property damage.

3) If you are upset with the insurance adjuster, or they are rude to you, getting a lawyer isn't going to make much difference.  In other words, if you are getting a lawyer simply because you are trying get even with the insurance company, then it probably won't make much difference unless you have very serious injuries.

4) If the accident was your fault, getting a personal injury lawyer will be a waste of time. If you are afraid of getting sued for causing the accident, then inform your auto insurance company.  In many cases, they will provide you with a lawyer to defend you if you are sued. 

5) If the police report is against you, then a lawyer isn't going to do much good unless you have some compelling evidence the other party actually caused the accident.  An independent witness may be helpful but they are rare.  That being said, if you are partly responsible for the accident but the other party is also partly responsible, you might consider getting a lawyer if you have severe and dramatic injuries.  

Getting a lawyer on board doesn't always make sense.  Generally speaking, the more serious your injuries are, the more you should consider hiring a lawyer to help you with your case.  From the attorney's perspective, my basic question to myself is this: "Can I bring value to this client's case?"  If not, then I will let you know.  Remember, some lawyers will take any case because they know they are going to have some kind of pay day, no matter how small.  Whether it's a good idea or not is a secondary concern.  

However, we are glad to offer clients advice, even if we cannot take their case.  If you've been seriously injured in a bad accident, give us a call so we might be able to assist you.  Call (661) 414-7100.  We also encourage you to explore our site for answers to your questions.