Sustaining an injury at the fault of another person is bad enough.

But when it comes to deciding whether or not to hire an attorney? Now we’re adding insult to injury.

Confusion runs rampant among people who haven’t been in this position before. Most don’t understand the signs that show they need to hire legal help… or when they can handle a case on their own.

Here’s what’s happening:

Making the wrong decision in this situation can cost you thousands of dollars. Oftentimes tens of thousands.

In this article, we’re going to reveal the tell-tale signs that you need to get professional representation. No more trying to decipher if your case is too simple to warrant an attorney. This guide is going to lay out every situation where hiring a lawyer is the right call.

What you’re going to discover:

  • How Legal Representation Matters
  • 5 Signs It’s Time To Hire A Lawyer
  • 5 Situations Where You May Not Need Help
  • The True Cost Of Handling A Case Alone

How Legal Representation Matters

Personal injury law in New York can be incredibly complex. From dealing with strict filing deadlines to understanding confusing paperwork and requirements… to handling insurance companies that push every boundary they can find. Having a handle on when to bring in professional legal help could be the difference between fair compensation and getting short-changed.

Statistically speaking, the proof is in the pudding.

According to research by Nolo, injured victims who hired a lawyer received an average of $77,600. By contrast, claimants who represented themselves ended up receiving just $17,600. The discrepancy is massive, and difficult to ignore.

But we’re not done yet…

Further study found that 91% of claimants with lawyers received some sort of settlement. By contrast, when no legal representation was involved, only 51% ended up collecting any compensation whatsoever.

If you need more proof…

Numbers don’t lie. Working with experienced New York personal injury lawyers can make a drastic difference both in terms of the likelihood of success and the final compensation figure you can expect. Insurance companies know it too. Which is precisely why they prefer unrepresented claimants.

5 Signs It’s Time To Hire A Lawyer

A little skin in a game doesn’t require an attorney. Mild injuries with no long-term effect can sometimes be settled without the costs associated with hiring a lawyer.

There are times however where your own interests will suffer if you don’t bring professional legal help on board.

Here are 5 tell-tale signs you need a lawyer:

Your Injuries Are Serious Or Long-Term

Minor cuts, scrapes, and bruising? In most cases, it’s safe to navigate these types of injuries alone.

Severe injury or damage however is a whole different story. Broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and surgeries all equate to medical bills adding up quickly. Treatment and rehabilitation down the road becomes an unknown variable.

The issue here is:

Insurance companies prefer to settle as early in the process as possible. This is before the full extent of injuries have been completely identified. But an attorney makes sure nothing gets overlooked and future medical needs are accounted for.

Fault Is Being Disputed

Occasionally the other party will outright admit fault. Other times they’ll try to shift blame.

If the question of who is at fault becomes the center of discussion… then hiring a lawyer becomes the right move. Collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building a case all takes time and legal expertise. Trying to take on insurance adjusters and investigators alone puts you at a huge disadvantage.

The Insurance Company Is Playing Games

Insurance companies aren’t your friends. In fact, their goal is to reduce the size of your settlement as much as possible. Period.

Look out for the following red flags:

  • Delay tactics that drag cases out for months
  • Low-ball offers that don’t come close to covering medical expenses
  • Requests for recorded statements that can be twisted around
  • Denying valid claims for flimsy reasons

If any of these sound familiar… it’s time to get a lawyer.

Multiple Parties Are Involved

A multi-car collision? Or maybe a workplace injury involving a subcontractor. What about a construction accident with numerous companies present on the job site?

If more than one party is potentially at-fault then it gets complicated. Determining who owes what, and to what degree requires extensive legal analysis. Every company’s insurance firm will be quick to blame the other parties instead of their client. Without a lawyer handling communication, many valuable claims can get lost.

The Statute Of Limitations Is Approaching

Time is not on your side when it comes to filing personal injury claims. The state of New York places hard deadlines on cases and if they aren’t met, the right to pursue compensation is lost forever.

Expect different types of cases to have different filing deadlines. Medical malpractice, car accidents, and slip-and-fall injuries all have varying time limits. Working with an attorney makes sure things are filed correctly and on time.

5 Situations Where You May Not Need Help

Sometimes hiring a lawyer is just not necessary. This might apply if you have small claims with straightforward liability. Legal fees often eat into settlements making them undesirable for small matters.

Try handling these cases alone if:

  • The injuries are minor and recovery is fast
  • Medical bills amount to a couple thousand dollars
  • The other person clearly accepts fault and responsibility
  • The insurance company is making reasonable and fair offers
  • No long-term disability or permanent damage occurred

Even for these simpler cases however, it’s always a good idea to get a free consultation from a personal injury attorney. Most offer them without obligation. Even just a 15-minute phone call can make it clear if going it alone is actually a smart move.

The True Cost Of Handling A Case Alone

Skipping out on hiring a lawyer saves money right? Sounds logical but does it hold up to the math?

Lawyer fees will typically cost you about 33% of your settlement. But consider the statistics we discussed earlier. Claimants with attorneys collected an average of $77,600. Self represented claimants? A measly $17,600 on average.

Do you know how much $17,600 is after legal fees have been paid? In most cases… nothing.

But let’s not forget about:

  • Lost wages from taking time off to deal with the legal process
  • Stress and time involved with having to learn complex procedures
  • Errors that can irreparably damage the case
  • Lowball settlements that fail to cover all medical needs

The “savings” from avoiding attorney fees end up costing more money than you’ll ever see. Don’t fall into this trap.

Red Flags That Shout “Call An Attorney”

There are some situations that scream “get a lawyer” immediately. Don’t hesitate if any of these circumstances sound familiar to you.

  • Being offered a settlement within a few days of the accident (they want you to act now)
  • The insurance company retained an attorney for their own side (time to level the playing field)
  • Pressure to sign releases before fully recovering from an injury
  • Pushy and aggressive negotiating to accept lowball offers
  • Late-onset injuries that take weeks or months to manifest

Almost all these cases require immediate professional representation. Insurance companies play these games for a reason. Leveling the playing field with an experienced attorney means everything.

Wrapping It All Up

Figuring out when you need to hire a personal injury attorney doesn’t have to be difficult.

Serious injuries, disputed fault, insurance company games, multiple liable parties, and looming deadlines all make clear the time for a lawyer has come. Small cases with minimal injury and obvious liability can be handled alone.

The most important points to take away are:

  • Professional legal representation can dramatically increase the amount of your settlement
  • Insurance companies prefer claimants without an attorney for a reason
  • Free consultations make it easy to seek expert legal advice
  • The cost of handling a case alone usually far exceeds legal fees

Don’t let a single mistake cost you the right to fair compensation. When the warning signs point to it being the right time to hire… trust them.