Following an accident, many people wonder, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” It’s an important question to ask, and the answer is almost always yes. Injuries, even ones that don’t seem serious at first, can have long-lasting effects on you and your loved ones’ lives. 

Working with a personal injury lawyer gives you the best chance of seeking compensation for the losses you’ve suffered as a result of your injury. Your lawyer will handle the details of your case, go to bat for you against insurance companies and legal teams, and fight aggressively on your behalf every step of the way. 

If you are still wondering, “Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?” the following information can help answer your question. 

Do you know the extent of your injuries?

Did you slip and fall in a grocery store and bruise your tailbone? Or, did you suffer whiplash from getting rear-ended? These may seem like minor incidents from which you can move on without seeking compensation. Many people believe that they don’t need to get a second opinion on these seemingly lesser injuries. 

However, unless you know the true extent of your injuries, it’s a good idea to consult with both a doctor and a personal injury lawyer. Injuries such as whiplash can lead to more complex medical problems down the road. 

If you’ve suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or head trauma, it’s critical that you consult with a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case. These kinds of injuries can leave you with expensive hospital bills, long recovery timelines, and a loss of income. 

What was the cause of your accident? 

A personal injury claim requires that you prove that another party’s negligence or actions caused your injuries. If you believe that you were injured as a result of another’s wrongdoing, contact a personal injury lawyer who can handle your case.

Even if you’re not 100% sure if your injuries were caused by someone else, or if there’s a chance that they partially caused the injuries, you should still seek legal representation. A skilled lawyer can not only determine the cause of your accident and collect evidence to prove this, but they will also investigate if there were other parties responsible for the accident as well. 

In personal injury cases, it’s not uncommon for there to be more than one responsible party. Take commercial truck accidents, for example. These accidents are rarely as cut-and-dry as passenger vehicle crashes. In addition to the truck driver’s negligence, there’s a high possibility that the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, or another third party had a role in the accident as well.

A skilled truck accident lawyer is able to fully investigate the true cause of the accident and hold all liable parties responsible. 

Have you spoken with an insurance company?

Many accident victims don’t realize that an insurance company is not on their side. It’s an insurance company’s job to maximize profits, not ensure that the victim is fully compensated for their losses.

You don’t have to speak with an insurance company right away after an accident. In fact, it’s best to have legal representation handle all of the communications with the liable party’s insurance company. Insurance representatives are more likely to offer you a poor settlement if you don’t have a personal injury lawyer on your side. 

Insurance companies have been known to deny claims, delay payments on claims, issue low settlement offers, and negotiate in poor faith. It’s easy to be taken advantage of, especially because you’re already in a vulnerable position. It might be tempting to accept an initial settlement offer when you have hospital bills, medical expenses, and other losses that keep piling up after an accident. 

Find a personal injury lawyer with strong negotiation skills. They can fight for the compensation you deserve and, if needed, will take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to play ball. 

Consult an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve been victimized by someone else’s negligence, we urge you to contact our skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyers today. Schedule a risk-free consultation by calling 404-800-1156. We look forward to learning more about your case.