[Personal Injury] Why You Need a Lawyer for Personal Injury Cases

If you have been seriously injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, it is essential to seek legal representation as soon as possible. If you are the victim of an accident caused by another party, it is critical to consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately. Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney at the earliest opportunity will help you avoid making serious mistakes during the legal process. By allowing your lawyer to represent you, you can avoid the common pitfalls that can occur when handling an injury claim on your own.

Mistakes Made When Handling a Personal Injury Case Without a Lawyer

When involved in a personal injury accident, insurance companies will often try to engage you in conversations with their adjusters before you have consulted with a lawyer. This can happen regardless of whether you were at fault, partially responsible, or completely innocent and the accident was caused by another party's negligence or intentional actions.

Here are some mistakes to avoid when dealing with insurance adjusters:

• Do not agree to a phone interview.
  In some states, it is legal for one party to record a conversation without the other party's consent. This means the adjuster can record your conversation without your permission, and the recorded answers can be edited to distort the truth. Be polite, request an in-person interview, but do not allow yourself to be recorded. When you have a lawyer handling your case, you won’t have to worry about this.

• Do not give a blanket release of your medical records.
  Insurance adjusters will attempt to investigate whether any pre-existing medical conditions could have contributed to the accident. By providing a blanket release of your medical records, you waive your HIPAA rights, allowing the adjuster to contact your doctor and ask questions that may frame the incident in their favor. A lawyer managing your case ensures that your medical privacy is protected.

• Do not answer hypothetical questions.
  Speculating about the facts allows the insurance company’s lawyers to challenge your story. If you do not know something, it is best to admit it rather than guessing.

• Do not volunteer information during a medical examination by the insurance company's doctor.
  Allow them to conduct their exam, but avoid giving them reasons to interpret your condition in ways that shift blame to you. In many states, you are entitled to a copy of the insurance company doctor’s report. Having a lawyer in charge of your case ensures this process goes smoothly.

• Do not speak to adjusters while in the hospital.
  Insurance adjusters may sometimes chase ambulances or approach accident victims shortly after the incident, trying to secure a quick settlement while the victim is still in shock or pain. In some cases, adjusters have even tried to get accident victims to sign settlement agreements while under anesthesia. When a lawyer is handling everything for you, you don't need to worry about these tactics.

• Do not accept a lowball offer to move on with your life if it doesn’t cover your losses.
  Insurance companies will often make you wait until you are desperate, hoping that you will settle for less. When you have a lawyer on your side, you can rest assured that your case will be handled properly, and you will receive a fair settlement.

All of these issues can be avoided by allowing your attorney to manage communications with insurance companies and other parties involved in your accident.