About 97.9 million people have to visit an emergency department due to unintentional injuries each year. If you were recently in an accident, you might ask yourself, “Do I need a lawyer?” An attorney can help you fight for compensation to cover your medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
Not sure if you need an attorney? Here are five signs the answer is yes! After reviewing this guide, you can look into Houston law firms to find the best attorney for your case.
Read on to discover the top signs you need to hire the best lawyer in Houston today.
1. You’ve Sustained Injuries
Remember, nearly 98 million people visit an ER after sustaining accidental injuries every year. About three million people in the US are injured in car accidents every year, resulting in two million people sustaining permanent injuries.
If you were recently in an accident and sustained injuries, contact a lawyer right away. They can help you fight for compensation. In the meantime, keep track of your:
- Medical bills
- Treatments
- Medications
- Specialists you visit (chiropractor, pain management specialist, etc.)
- Surgeries
- Lost wages
If your injuries are serious, you might have to stay home to heal, causing you to miss out on work. Sustaining a permanent injury might impact your capacity to work as well. You might have to take on a different role at work, resulting in a lower wage.
As you heal, your lost wages and medical expenses will begin to stack up. Stress could impact your ability to heal quickly. Instead of feeling stressed, contact an attorney.
They can help you fight for compensation. They’ll calculate your losses to determine the full amount of compensation you’re due. Then, you can use your winnings to cover your medical bills and other expenses.
2. Liability Isn’t Clear
In order to win your lawsuit, you’ll need to prove the other party’s negligence caused the accident. Then, you’ll need to prove they caused you bodily harm. If you can’t prove the other party was liable, you could struggle to receive compensation.
In some instances, the other party will even try to prove you were at fault for the accident.
If liability isn’t clear, hire the best lawyer in Houston. They can gather evidence to prove the other party was negligent.
For example, they might hire a private investigator, talk to witnesses, or gather surveillance footage. They might ask a medical expert to discuss your injuries, too. A medical expert can discuss how you sustained your injuries as a result of the accident.
They can also indicate how your injuries will impact your mobility, ability to work, or quality of life in the future.
Proving the other party was liable can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
3. The Insurance Company is Stalling
The insurance company won’t have your best interests in mind as they review your claim. In fact, they’ll likely want an open and shut case.
Sometimes, the insurance company will delay paying off your claim. In other instances, they might use your injured state against you. For example, if you’re on strong painkillers, you might not think clearly when talking to the insurer.
You might say something that makes it sound like you were responsible for the accident.
Don’t talk to the insurance company alone. Instead, let your Houston lawyer handle these negotiations. They can keep the insurance company from stalling.
If the insurance company tries to send you a lowball offer, your lawyer can also keep you from accepting prematurely. They’ll make sure you don’t leave money on the table.
4. You’re Not Sure What To Do
How much experience do you have with your specific situation? If you’ve never filed a personal injury claim before, don’t do it alone.
Even an issue with the paperwork can get your claim tossed out. Meanwhile, the insurance company will try to take advantage of your lack of experience. Hiring an attorney can protect you.
Your attorney will help you review your legal options. Then, they’ll make sure you make an informed decision with your best interests in mind.
With their help, you can avoid making any costly mistakes that might impact your personal injury claim.
Before searching for a “personal injury lawyer near me,” take the time to consider your situation. For example, maybe your case involved:
- An auto accident (car, bike, motorcycle, truck, etc.)
- Medical malpractice (misdiagnosis, birthing error, medication error, etc.)
- Premise liability (slip and falls)
- Product liability (inadequate warning, breach of warranty, design defects, etc.)
- Elderly abuse or neglect
- Animal attack (dog bites)
Look for a personal injury attorney who specializes in cases like yours. You can leverage their relevant experience and expertise to maximize your payout.
With their help, you can cover your medical bills and expenses while you heal. You won’t have to worry about the stress of negotiating with insurance companies, either. Instead, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your attorney is fighting for you.
5. You’re Being Sued
In some cases, the other party will try to blame you for the accident. Without a lawyer, you might have to pay for their medical bills and other expenses.
Whether or not you were at fault, hiring an attorney. They’ll protect your best interests.
If the case goes to court, a judge might not take you seriously if you’re representing yourself. Having a lawyer present can strengthen your claim. Your attorney will protect you if there are any counter- or cross-claims, too.
Do I Need a Lawyer?: Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Houston Today
You don’t have to keep asking yourself, “Do I need a lawyer?” Instead, talk to a personal injury attorney in Houston, TX. You can leverage their experience and expertise to make informed decisions regarding your situation.
With their help, you can fight for compensation or protect yourself from a lawsuit.
Want to discuss your case with a member of our team? We’re here for you.
Contact us today to get started.