How Do You Know When To Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm?

If given the choice, most people wouldn’t decide to spend money to hire an attorney if they’re able to make do without one. That said, when the situation truly does require the services of an attorney, it’s always in your best interest to seek out an experienced and reputable lawyer to help you with your case. One circumstance where people often aren’t sure whether or not they need a lawyer is a personal injury claim. It’s natural to feel unsure of how to move forward if you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence. 
 
If you’ve recently been injured and are asking, “Do I need an attorney for a personal injury claim?”, “When should I contact a personal injury attorney?”, or “How can a personal injury attorney help me with my case?” reach out to me right away. At Hess Law LLC, I’m able to uphold your rights and help you move forward with confidence.  

Set up a one-on-one consultation with me today. I’m able to serve clients in Wichita, Kansas, and throughout Sedgwick County. 

Common Personal Injuries

Any time you’re injured as the result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim to pursue compensation. Sadly, these accidents happen far more often than you may think and can cover a wide variety of situations: 

• Dog bites 

• Slip and fall accidents 

• Car accidents 

• Pedestrian accidents 

• Premises liability cases 

• Work-related accidents 

• Product liability 

• Assault and battery 

• Medical malpractice 

Knowing When to Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm

Not all of these cases will require you to work with a personal injury attorney—but the majority of the time, you can increase your chances of winning a settlement as well as increasing your total compensation when you do. Below are some factors to consider if you’re undecided about calling a lawyer.  

• Fault state vs No-fault: One important question you should be able to answer is, “Is Kansas a fault state?” and the answer is yes. This means that whoever caused the accident is also the one who’s required to pay damages that stem from it. Because of this, you can immediately file a claim against the other party without having to go through your own insurance first. 

• Injuries are Serious: Anytime you’ve sustained serious injuries, you should enlist the help of an attorney. Injuries that require multiple doctor visits, surgeries, or ongoing care such as physical therapy can be incredibly costly and can go on for months or even years. A skilled attorney can ensure all your future medical expenses are factored into your settlement so you’re not left paying out-of-pocket down the road.  

• You Don’t Know Your Options: If you feel confused or overwhelmed about your options or what step to take next, a lawyer can be a tremendous help in reducing this stress and pursuing the compensation you deserve.  

• Dealing with Insurance: Let’s face it—no one likes dealing with insurance companies, and going back and forth with an insurance adjuster about your claim can be time-consuming and frustrating. An attorney can act as your advocate and negotiate on your behalf during this process.    

• Proof of Negligence Isn’t Easy: Lastly, any solid claim will need sufficient documentation to support it. This isn’t always easy to find. A lawyer will help you find and organize evidence that clearly shows the other party is legally liable for the accident and should therefore be responsible for paying your expenses. 

What To Ask a Personal Injury Attorney

When you’re trying to hire a lawyer for the first time, it’s common to feel anxious or unsure of what’s going to happen, or how to make sure you pick the right attorney. Preparing questions ahead of time can make this initial process easier and ensure you get the best legal representation possible.  

So, what should you ask a potential personal injury attorney? Here are some ideas: 

• Who will be my primary contact on a day-to-day basis? 

• What is your fee structure and when will I be required to pay you? 

• Do you still get paid even if I lose my case? 

• What do you think my chances are of winning my case? 

• Will you be working on my case or will most of the work be done by an assistant? 

• Have you handled cases like mine in the past, and if so how did they turn out? 

• Do you have any references I can call? 

One important thing to mention about these questions is that you shouldn’t always expect a definitive answer. For example, an attorney should never promise you upfront that you’ll be awarded a certain amount of money or tell you that you’ll absolutely win your case. If this does happen, it should be a red flag that you should look elsewhere. Instead, a skilled lawyer should give you a general idea of what to expect and lay out different scenarios based on their knowledge of your case. 

Compassionate Legal Guidance 

If you’d like to pursue a personal injury claim, but aren’t sure if you need a lawyer to help you, reach out to me at Hess Law LLC in Wichita, Kansas, to discuss your options.