Being injured in an accident can be devastating and may result in mounting medical bills, lost wages, the need for ongoing medical treatment, and temporary or permanent disability.
The good news, however, is that in most cases, you may recover compensation for your injuries and losses by filing a personal injury claim against those responsible for the accident (or circumstances) that led to your injuries.
When You’ve Suffered a Serious Injury
While you are not required to hire an attorney to assist you with your personal injury claim, there are many occasions when it would be in your best interest to do so. This is especially the case If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of an accident caused by someone else.
If your injuries require ongoing treatment, surgical procedures, or result in a temporary or permanent disability, a great deal more proof will be required to legally support each component of your claim. Medical experts (to support claims of disability) and economists and vocational and rehabilitation experts (to support loss of income and earning capacity) are just some examples of the level of proof required in these types of cases.
Without such proof, you will have little chance to receive the compensation you need to fully cover the cost of your treatment and recovery. Personal injury attorneys routinely work with these types of experts. But, people who are unfamiliar with the law will most often do not know what proof is required nor how it can be acquired.
On the other hand, if your injuries only required an emergency room visit and a follow-up visit with your family doctor, you may be better off handling the claim on your own. Under those circumstances, there is not much that an attorney can do to significantly enhance the value of your claim and justify his or her fees and compensation.
Other Factors to Consider
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How Much Money is at Stake?
If you have a straightforward personal injury claim where the amount of money at stake is so small that it won’t change your financial outlook one way or the other, then perhaps you should handle the claim on your own.
However, if you have a case in which you may be entitled to a significant amount of money and one that is important to your financial outlook, then you should absolutely hire an attorney to represent you. If you choose to handle the case on your own, you risk losing an awful lot more money than you might save.
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How Well Do You Understand the Personal Injury Claim Process?
In addition to the amount of money at stake, you may simply not understand the personal injury process. Lawsuits and personal injury claims can be very complicated.
The process may seem simple enough, but do you know, for example:
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- How to get your medical records and billing statements?
- How to prepare and send a demand letter?
- What the statute of limitations is for filing a personal injury claim?
- What proof you will need to support your claim for compensation?
These are but a few of the many things you need to know to successfully navigate a personal injury claim, and why you may need the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.
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Do You Need Help With Your Medical Bills?
Your attorney may be able to help you find doctors who are willing to wait to be paid until your case is over, so you don’t have to worry about paying medical bills or expensive co-pays while you pursue compensation for your injuries.
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Can You Handle The Time and Stress?
- Can you take the time away from your busy life to pursue your personal injury claim?
- Do you have the mental and physical energy to pursue the claim all the way to the end?
If the answer to either of these questions is no, then perhaps you should let an attorney handle the claim for you.
A good attorney will do most of the busy work for you, such as gathering evidence and communicating with insurance companies. This will save you a lot of time and stress, so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting on with your life.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident in New Jersey, and are not sure if you need an attorney’s assistance, call our law firm. We offer a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney who can let you know if and how we can help. Call us today.