If you’ve been seriously injured, chances are you would like to get fair compensation from anyone who was at fault.

You may have incurred hefty medical bills or become permanently disabled. Whatever the case may be, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.

Some victims never do because they think they can’t afford one. But the truth is that a personal injury lawyer could actually help you come out financially ahead. 

Here’s why:

• Personal injury claims are complicated. 

If you don’t know the law, you could end up making costly mistakes or settling for a resolution that is less than you deserve.

That’s why it pays to have a good lawyer. They know the law and can help you navigate the complex legal system to ensure you get a good settlement. Their legal guidance is indispensable. 

• They can help relieve some of your stress.

Experiencing a serious injury comes with all sorts of pain, discomfort, and stress. Instead of trying to fight a legal battle, hire a personal injury attorney to do the work for you. Being injured (or disabled) is hard enough.

Let a professional deal with your legal and financial issues while you focus on recovering so you can slowly get back to normal life. You’ll appreciate all the time and effort it will save you.

• They offer an outside perspective.

As a personal injury victim, your judgment might be clouded by your emotions. Maybe you harbor resentment against the party responsible for your predicament. 

A personal injury lawyer will help you not let these feelings get in the way of (and possibly hurt) your case. They can steer you in the right direction and make sure you only say and do things that are appropriate.

• You don’t know what your claim is worth.

While it’s easy to put a value on medical bills and lost income, it’s not as easy when it comes to injuries and other damages. 

A personal injury lawyer has dealt with cases like yours before. So they know what you can expect in terms of compensation. And they’ll fight for you until you get the payout you deserve.

• Your insurance company will take you more seriously.

Insurance companies want to provide the lowest payout possible to maximize their profits. So if they can make you a lowball offer, they will. 

However, if you have a lawyer on your side, they’ll think twice before doing this. They don’t want to risk being taken to court and losing. 

In short, a personal injury lawyer will help add credibility to your case. They will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so you don’t have to settle for a low payout.

• The defendant may have their own lawyer.

If the other side has its own lawyer, then you definitely need one. 

By representing yourself, you are at greater risk of the defendant’s lawyer taking advantage of you and exploiting any mistakes you make. Things could get messy fast, and you could end up with a much smaller settlement than you expected. 

Have a personal injury lawyer on your side to make it a fair fight. They’ll know how to defend your case in front of a judge and jury and have a better chance of winning you a favorable outcome.

• They don’t make money unless you win your case.

Lastly, most lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means they charge you a percentage of whatever compensation you win (usually about 30%). If you don’t win, you don’t owe anything.

It also means that your personal injury lawyer is incentivized to build the strongest case possible because the more you make, the more they make. So they want to win as badly as you do.

Plus, most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations that require no commitment. So there’s really no reason not to at least consult one. They can tell you how much they think your case is worth and what you can expect at zero risk to you.

The bottom line

Getting injured is never fun, but it’s even worse without legal protection. 

If you need a personal injury lawyer, shop around in your local area. Look for someone with a lot of experience and a good track record. Then give them a call. It couldn’t hurt.