Not always. In many cases, your injuries may be limited, your medical bills low, and your property damage minimal. Generally speaking, it may not be necessary to retain a lawyer under these circumstances, as the legal fees alone could eat up most of the settlement funds. That leaves you, the injured party, with very little left over. But, you would be well advised to talk to an attorney before making that decision. At my firm, we provide obligation-free consultations at no charge, and we'll help you to determine whether or not hiring an attorney is in your best interest given the facts of your case.

If your injuries and/or property damages are more substantial, you should, without question, discuss your case with a qualified attorney to help you determine if legal representation is appropriate. And you don’t have to take my word for it - insurance industry studies confirm that insurance company payouts in cases for injured persons who are represented by an attorney are substantially higher than for those who are not.

"But my case is a slam dunk! The other guy was at fault! There's no way that the insurance company isn't going to pay up! Why would I need to hire a lawyer?"

Unfortunately, what may appear to be a “slam dunk” to someone who is not trained and experienced in negligence law often isn’t always a slam dunk, so be forewarned. If your case involves serious injuries, we recommend that you discuss your case with a qualified attorney and keep an open mind. There may be circumstances or factors that you have not considered, and having competent, experienced representation could make all the difference in ensuring that you receive a settlement that is fair and appropriate for your injuries.