Whether you need to obtain compensation for a car accident, a dog bite, an intentional tort, or some other injury caused by a person's negligence, a major decision you would have to make in either case is whether to hire an attorney or not. Are there cases you can handle on your own? Do you always need a personal injury lawyer? Read on to find out.

First of all, there are some cases where you may not need an attorney to represent you, even though consulting a lawyer would still be invaluable. If you live in a no-fault state, for example, this means injuries have to be severe enough to file a personal injury lawsuit; you should simply be covered by an insurance policy. But if you think that your injuries just might be severe enough to warrant a lawsuit, then you should consult a lawyer on the matter, someone who could then help you pursue your claim.

Then there is the scenario of an insurance company offering you the full extent of their policy limit. For example, a driver who caused a vehicle accident may have a policy maximum of $100,000. If this is the offer you are getting from the company, then you cannot ask them for any more. If you deserve more in compensation, then you would have to sue that driver personally. That only makes sense if they have enough net worth and if you truly have a case against them to receive more in compensation. In some cases, it is best to go with the settlement.

Now if you have seemingly minor injuries, you may not think that you need an attorney to help you in your case. If nothing else, it may be a good idea to consult a lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and the strength of your claim if you were to file one. One big reason why is that minor injuries can quickly turn into major injuries. In fact, severe symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after an accident. You may want to wait before you accept a settlement offer from insurance, because if your injuries get worse, you cannot ask for any more in compensation if you have already accepted the offer. You do not want to find yourself with less compensation than you need. Consulting with a lawyer can help you know when the right time to accept an offer is, and when is the right time to hold off.

Also, you may need the assistance of a legal expert to help you obtain the full damages that you are owed. For example, emotional anguish and physical pain and suffering are two types of damages that you might be entitled to. If a settlement from insurance offers you nothing for such types of damages, for example, then you may want to take your case to a trial. In that case, you definitely want an experienced legal advocate on your side.

If you have suffered severe injuries, then you certainly need a personal injury lawyer who can help you successfully negotiate for the full compensation you deserve. Plus, when defendants and an insurance company see that they are faced with a lawyer, they would be more inclined to treat your case with the seriousness it deserves.

And if you think that your insurance company has your back, you may need to think again. While you are seeking full compensation, an insurance company is seeking to save as much money as they can. If you want to get the full amount you deserve from an injury claim, it would be invaluable to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer advocating on your behalf. You can find the attorney you need on our directory today!