Why do I need an attorney?

You see those ads for lawyers on television all the time. They say they’re committed to the fight for justice and getting you the compensation you deserve. But they don’t always address your first questions: “Why do I need an attorney? Aren’t they expensive? I have no reason to get involved in a lawsuit… right?”

The truth is that if you’ve been injured or suffered other damages, you could benefit from having an attorney. Hiring an attorney will allow you to get back on track and move forward after a difficult situation without having to pay a cent out of your own pocket.

Learning more about why attorneys are useful will help you make a decision on whether or not you’re going to hire one.

Attorney Myths and Facts

There are many myths about attorneys floating around out there. To make your decision, you’ll have to learn the truth first.

For instance, some may say that attorneys are in it for themselves, and they bring about legal action unnecessarily. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, attorneys are in it for their clients. They protect their clients from predators who want to rip them off and not give them what they deserve. 

Without attorneys, people would be much more vulnerable.

Additionally, many lawyers work on contingency. For instance, personal injury lawyers will either give you a free or low-cost consultation to discuss your case and will only take a commission out of a settlement they win for you. 

Essentially, you don’t have to pay them anything out of pocket. Lawyers will only take on cases they are confident they can win because they are looking for a percentage of the award.

Another myth is that all attorneys are very aggressive and tough. You can certainly find a lawyer like that if you want, but they’re not going to behave that way toward you. If lawyers were contentious with clients, it would be bad for business. 

Good attorneys are willing to fight for justice and the compensation you deserve, which may mean getting assertive with a tough plaintiff. But they aren’t there to challenge or intimidate you. 

You may have heard people call lawyers ambulance chasers, or claim they all go to the scene of an accident or the emergency room to coerce victims to file a lawsuit. This is an unethical practice and most lawyers do not do this. 

If you want to learn more about the myths and facts about lawyers and lawsuits, visit Haug Law Group’s Personal Injury Legal Definitions and Terms page.

Now, here’s why you need an attorney.  

You’ve Been Injured

If you were recently in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then calling an attorney is a good idea. Right now, you probably have medical bills to pay and maybe even damage to your car and personal belongings. It’s not fair that you should have to pay for all these expenses that came out of nowhere when the accident was not your fault.

A personal injury attorney will collect the details of your case, along with your medical records, witness statements, police record, photographs, and other evidence to try and get a settlement for you. 

As a result, your medical bills and other damages would be taken care of, and you can focus on healing instead.

An Insurance Company Offered You a Low Settlement

Many times, after an accident, the responsible party’s insurance company will call you and attempt to offer you a settlement. But keep in mind that this settlement is going to be low. Insurance companies are not in the business of paying out and typically offer very low settlements to people who don’t know any better. 

If you’re thinking, “Why do I need an attorney? I’ll just ask for more money,” you should know that an attorney is there to negotiate a higher settlement for you. You will not be given what you think you need just because you asked for it. 

Don’t accept any settlement from an insurance company, even if it seems like enough. You never know how high your medical bills are going to be and you may need a much bigger settlement than you previously thought.

You Can’t Afford Your Medical Bills and Car Repairs

Unfortunately, many people are uninsured or underinsured and cannot pay their medical bills and car repairs. A lawyer will work with you so that you can get the medical care you need as well as pay for your car repair so you don’t sink into debt. 

You’re Busy

Are you too busy to fight with the defendant’s insurance company? Or, are you simply too tired because you’re dealing with an injury? A lawyer will take the burden off of your shoulders and do the negotiating for you. All you have to do is hand over notes about what happened as well as any evidence you may have.

Contact Haug Law Group Today

Now that you know the answer to “Why do I need an attorney?” call Haug Law Group today for your free consultation. We’re standing by and ready to help.