There is no legal requirement to have an attorney working on your behalf in a personal injury case. In fact, for some types of injuries, including minor slip and fall accidents or by vehicle accidents with no injuries or only very limited injuries, settling the claim directly with the insurance company can be simple, straightforward and relatively easy to complete on your own.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
However, if the injury is significant, or if there is a risk of ongoing disability, inability to enjoy life or a problem with returning to work due to the accident, working with a St. Paul attorney should be a priority.
The difference between the two types of cases all boils down to the complexity of the case and the amount of money in the settlement. Small settlement amounts are typically easy to negotiate with the insurance company, but the larger the settlement, the more the insurance company attempts to limit the payment.
The Benefits
Working with a personal injury attorney has several benefits and advantages. While the obvious benefit is having the legal representation you need to deal with the insurance companies or to pursue litigation options, there are other advantages as well.
People who have a personal injury attorney receive higher settlement amounts than those not represented. This is a logical outcome as the attorney is well-versed in what other cases have settled for, and also about the long-term costs of ongoing medical care, lost wages, inability to work, or other factors.
A personal injury attorney is also knowledgeable about the times of damages that can be included in a settlement. Even if the case never goes in front of a St. Paul court, it is a powerful tool to use in direct negotiation, mediation or arbitration, helping to get the maximum compensation possible for the client.
