When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer? (And What Do They Actually Do?)

Many people in Ohio do not know when to hire a personal injury lawyer, whether their accident was serious enough to require an attorney, or whether they will end up in a more complicated situation after hiring one.

While not every person may need an attorney after a personal injury accident, there are many instances in which hiring one can benefit the victim. Knowing when to hire a personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case.

At Wendy Lee Law, I serve as a personal injury attorney, investigating accidents, developing litigation strategies, collecting supporting records, and maintaining regular contact with clients about their cases.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Actually Do?

A personal injury lawyer is someone who helps those who have been injured due to the negligence of another individual. What does a personal injury lawyer do during a legal claim? They investigate the incident, handle the insurance company, assess the value of the claim, and fight to get the best possible outcome for their client.

That work can include a lot more than most people realize. A personal injury lawyer may be responsible for:

• Investigating the accident itself
• Gathering evidence and documentation of the injury
• Communicating with insurance companies
• Calculating the client’s losses (medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering)
• Filing a lawsuit and appearing in court on the client’s behalf

The lawyer begins the case with an initial consultation, formulates a strategy, communicates throughout the legal process, and gathers evidence to help prove the client’s case. In addition, the lawyers anticipate and respond to the tactics insurance companies and opposing parties use to limit recovery.

When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident

The big question is: When to hire a personal injury lawyer? It depends on the severity and type of your personal injuries, the complexity of the situation, and how difficult the insurance company is being. If any of the situations below sound like you or someone you care about, it may be time to speak with a personal injury lawyer.

You’ve Been Seriously Injured

If you have suffered from broken bones, a head injury, back damage, pain, or any injury that may last for months or longer, consider speaking to a lawyer regarding your case. Any type of serious injury will usually lead to medical bills, lost income, and potential disagreements as to the value of your personal injury case.

The more serious the injury, the more compensation you may receive, but the case becomes more complex, and medical records will be critical if you have suffered any type of serious injury. One of the main duties of the personal injury lawyer is to gather the medical records regarding your injuries and treatment.

Liability Is Unclear or Disputed

Some cases are very simple. In other cases, multiple parties are involved, the other driver denies fault, or the facts of the incident are in dispute. In these situations, having legal help from a personal injury lawyer becomes even more important.

Legal help is critical for proving liability through crash reports, eyewitness accounts, photos and video of the crash scene, and medical reports and treatments following the crash. One of the main reasons personal injury victims should hire an attorney is to ensure their rights are protected during these complex legal processes.

The Insurance Company Is Pushing Back

If the insurance company is ignoring you, downplaying or denying your injury, or making you feel like you need to prove yourself to them twice, then you should not be handling your claim with the insurance company yourself.

Insurance companies may ask for your recorded statement, they may ask you to speak with them before you’ve fully understood your injuries, or they may even offer you less than the value of your personal injury claim. These are all tactics that can harm your case and minimize the amount the insurance company pays out.

By working with a reputable personal injury lawyer like Wendy Lee Law, you’ll have someone who understands insurance company tactics and how to maximize your chance of winning your case.

You’re Being Offered a Settlement

While settlement offers can bring relief to those suffering from serious injuries and facing mounting medical bills and lost income, those offers are not always fair.

Once you accept a settlement offer, you generally can’t go back and ask for more money later on if your treatment for the injury took longer than expected or if you developed more pain over time. A lawyer can review the settlement offer and determine whether the offer is fair based on your injuries and costs.

Your Injuries Are Long-Term or Affect Your Ability to Work

If the accident has changed your ability to work, even temporarily, your case may be worth more than you think. The loss of time off from work is just one component of determining the worth of your case. In more serious cases, your claim may include ongoing and future treatment costs, work-related expenses, and lost earning potential.

Should your injuries become disabling enough to impact your ability to work in the long term, Ohio law recognizes both wage loss and future damages in tort actions, as well as non-economic loss (such as pain and suffering) in appropriate cases.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for Minor Accidents?

Not always. If the accident was truly minor, where no one was injured, and there was small property damage, handling it without a lawyer may be sufficient. However, even “minor” accidents can lead to injuries that are not immediately obvious.

Concussion symptoms can take several hours or even days to develop after the accident. Similarly, symptoms associated with whiplash may not be apparent right away. Even if you feel okay after an accident, taking photos of the crash and any visible injuries, plus seeing a doctor for an examination, can save time and money if injuries appear later.

If you are unsure as to whether you should seek medical attention or legal counsel after the accident, it is always best to consult with an attorney or medical professional who can provide you with more information and guidance for your situation.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Maximizes Your Compensation

One of the biggest reasons that people hire an attorney is that they don’t want to leave any money on the table. Lower payouts can happen when an individual represents themselves and focuses only on obvious damages. An attorney can look at the case as a whole, rather than just guessing the costs from your first bill or settling with the first offer you receive.

Depending on the case, a personal injury claim may involve compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future treatment or future care needs
• Other losses tied to how the injury changed your day-to-day life

Ohio law recognizes both economic losses, such as lost earnings, disability, and medical expenses, and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. An attorney will understand how to negotiate with the insurance company and can file suit on behalf of the individual if the insurance company refuses to do so.

What to Expect When You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Most lawyers will begin with a free consultation to learn more about your case. Wendy Lee Law, for instance, invites potential clients to call for a free consultation and meet with them to discuss the details of their case.

Most lawyers will review what happened in your case, ask for any records or photos related to the incident, and then begin communicating with the individuals involved in your case. They’ll keep in touch with clients to let them know of any developments in their cases.

Many personal injury attorneys will handle cases on a contingency fee agreement, meaning there’s no upfront cost. In Ohio, any contingent-fee agreement related to a tort claim must be written and signed by the attorney and the client. Attorneys will tell you if there are any costs related to the case, whether the case is settled or goes to court.

Some cases will be settled quickly by the attorneys, while some may take much longer to resolve. However, regardless of the case, the attorney should be able to communicate with you what stage your case is in and what the next step in the process is.

What to Do Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Even if you have not yet hired anyone to handle your case for you, there are still a few things that you can do to protect yourself.

Collect whatever you already have, such as:

• Photos of the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, and any injuries
• Insurance information
• Accident reports
• Medical records
• Records of any missed work
• Names and contact information for witnesses

Do not give statements to insurance adjusters until you have a good understanding of your injuries and your legal options. If you are receiving medical treatment for the injuries you suffered in the accident, make sure to keep all medical records and notes about your treatment of those injuries.

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Not every lawyer is the right fit for every individual’s personal injury case. If you are considering multiple lawyers to handle your case, consider the following tips:

1. Look for experienced Ohio personal injury lawyers
2. Ask how the lawyer handles communication
3. Find an attorney with a track record of negotiating and litigating injury claims
4. Be cautious of guarantees, pressure, or poor communication early on

Are they pushing you for a decision or offering guarantees about the outcome of your case? Be cautious with these promises from lawyers. Your attorney’s firm should review personal injury laws and deadlines, offer personalized attention, and provide honest communication and updates about your case.

Need Support? Work with Wendy Lee Law

If you’re still wondering when to hire a personal injury lawyer, the safest answer is to speak to one sooner than you think you need to. Early guidance can help you avoid mistakes, preserve evidence, and prevent insurance companies from getting the upper hand.

Wendy Lee Law helps injured clients in Cleveland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas. I take on cases that involve injuries and medical bills and are here for my clients every step of the way. If you need a personal injury lawyer to represent you, do not hesitate to request a free consultation directly with me.

FAQs About When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

When should I contact a lawyer after an accident?
As soon as possible after you have addressed your medical needs following the accident. Contacting a lawyer soon after an accident can help to ensure that your case is handled properly from the beginning.

Is it worth getting a personal injury lawyer?
For personal injury cases, it is often worth it to hire an attorney to investigate the case, determine its value, and take any necessary legal action to ensure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
The fee structure for personal injury lawyers can vary from attorney to attorney. In Ohio, any contingent fee agreement for a tort case must be documented in writing and signed by both the plaintiff and the attorney representing the plaintiff in court. A contingent fee means the lawyer’s payment is contingent upon winning the case; the fee is paid out of the settlement or judgment, and you pay nothing upfront.

Can I switch lawyers later?
In most cases, yes. Ohio’s Rules of Professional Conduct state that a lawyer must withdraw from the representation of a client if the client discharges their lawyer, though permission from the court may be required. In most cases, a lawyer and client can simply discuss the situation and agree on who the client wants to work with.

Interested in Learning More?

Wendy Lee Law dedicates itself to representing our clients in Ohio and beyond with professionalism and expertise. Should you suffer an injury at work or due to someone else’s negligence, or if you are suffering from a disability that prevents you from being able to work, I am ready to assist you.

Call today to speak with me about your case and how I can assist you.