If you have recently been injured on the job or in a vehicular accident, you might be wondering whether you should pursue legal action or not. Maybe you are afraid of consulting a lawyer because you believe you may have been responsible for the accident, you are nervous about filing a claim in case the defendant retaliates, or simply because you aren’t sure whether you actually have a case.
On the other hand, many people might shy away from involving a lawyer due to a few misconceptions regarding the length and complexity of legal procedures and how expensive attorneys are likely to be. Depending on your situation, you may wish to avoid legal action. Here are a few reasons it would be greatly advisable to seek legal counsel. The process of filing a claim will vary by state, but personal injury lawyers in New Jersey and other states suggest that you contact an attorney as soon as you possibly can. Don’t wait. If you can file a claim within a few days of the accident, that’s usually best.
- Your injury was severe.
Did your injuries require hospitalization? Were you temporarily or permanently disabled? Some victims require constant supervision by a personal support worker or a stay in a long-term care facility. If your injury rendered you unable to work or live independently, it is in your best interest to seek legal representation and file a case as soon as possible.
Even if you recovered from the initial injury, you might find yourself burdened with very costly medical bills. Surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, psychiatric treatment, and occupational therapy are only some of the expenses you might wind up with following a very serious work or vehicular accident, and you might be surprised to learn that you are legally entitled to representation should either of these disrupt your normal daily life in any significant way.
- Insurance companies are calling you repeatedly.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it’s not uncommon to start receiving lots of calls from a variety of insurance companies. In fact, you should expect them. Immediately following an accident you are likely to hear from a bodily injury adjuster from your own insurance company and the adjuster from any and all third parties’ insurance companies. If you’re not sure who to trust, you can always check who is calling by doing a reverse phone lookup.
However, the best way to handle this particular situation is to hire a personal injury attorney right away. You can avoid speaking to adjusters directly by forwarding them to your lawyer, who will advocate on your behalf. A personal injury lawyer is better equipped to answer all the questions you may have difficulty answering, and will help you fill out accident benefit claims forms. Keep in mind that if you attempt to fill out the forms without a lawyer’s help, you may end up saying something that doesn’t paint you in the best light.
- Your employer is offering you compensation for your injury.
We like to believe that other people are generally good and that our employers are trustworthy, but sometimes our bosses don’t really have our best interests at heart. If your employer is offering you compensation, monetary or otherwise, as a means of “apology,” they are likely trying to dissuade you from taking legal action against them.
Every state’s laws ensure that workers have rights in the case of an injury. Especially if your employer is found to be responsible for your accident, you have the right to pursue a case against them. A personal injury lawyer will be able to guide you through this process, no matter how frustrating it might be.
