Is My Case Big Enough To Hire An Attorney?

When injured in an accident, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is whether you should seek legal counsel.  Maybe you decide not to hire counsel because you mistakenly think that the insurance company is there to help you through the process (find out why this isn’t the case).  Perhaps you want help but believe you can’t afford an attorney (see why “contingency basis” is good news for you.).  Or you may simply find yourself asking: Is my case big enough to hire an attorney?

While it is always smart to call an attorney when in doubt, this question is one that should not be answered too quickly.  There are various indicators that a qualified attorney will initially assess, but often it is the specific details of your case that will ultimately determine whether it makes sense for you to pursue litigation further.  If you have suffered more than a minor injury, a thorough consultation is usually the best way to determine the real potential of your case.

Let’s consider a few aspects to be considered when analyzing a personal injury case:

• Is your injury minor or major?
• Have you sought professional treatment for your injury?
• How well is your injury responding to treatment thus far?
• Does your doctor foresee future treatment as necessary?
• Are you dealing with a lot of medical costs as a result of the accident?
• Is the at-fault party insured and what are the policy limits?

These are just a few of the questions whose answers will determine whether your case would benefit from hiring an attorney.

Often personal injury cases that appear small at the onset become big cases when the injured starts treatment.  That minor neck sprain turns out to be a herniated disc; a shoulder sprain may be a torn rotator cuff; or a swollen knee is really a damaged meniscus.  If your minor injuries turn out to be major ones and you accepted a quick settlement there will be no way for you to seek further compensation.  A good attorney will counsel you to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries before negotiating any claim.

If you were not at fault in an accident and you are injured, your case is important.  Before making any final decisions on representation, it is always a good idea to sit down with an attorney and discuss your options.  At the very least, you will gain knowledge and feel confident about making the best decisions for you and your loved ones.

Find out more about What To Do After A Personal Injury Accident.