February 3, 2023 - John McMullin, JD

Should I retain legal counsel for my personal injury claim? It is a valid inquiry. A personal injury lawyer can help in the following ways:

1)     They understand the medical issues that happen after a motor vehicle accident. There are no medical designations for “car accidentist.” While surgeons, physiotherapists, family doctors, and other medical professionals are able to give you the treatment that you need, your lawyer is going to be your number one advocate for your return to health, including reviewing your medical records for potential issues or checking up on your symptoms.

2)     Your claim is handled by your lawyer. If you handle the litigation yourself, it could feel like a part-time job. Give it to someone else to do full-time. It can be quite beneficial to be able to avoid the worry and work of dealing with the other driver's insurance company, particularly if that insurance company has a lawyer.

3)     On a related point, a lawyer can advise you on what to do as they are familiar with how this operates. A lawyer will be aware of what actions you must take in court and when to take them, from submitting a Statement of Claim through conducting a trial.

4)     Lawyers tend to make personal injury clients money. According to a 2016 study by the research company Martindale-Nolo, clients who had a lawyer on their side made more than four times as much money ($77,600 to $17,600) as those who didn't. The Insurance Research Council's Attorney Involvement in Car Injury Claims study, among others, concluded that hiring a lawyer boosts compensation in personal injury cases. Although nobody can promise you'll earn more money as a result of hiring a lawyer, it doesn't appear to hurt.

5)     Your claim's value can be calculated with the assistance of a lawyer. A lawyer can help with problems like lost wages or scarring, as well as general damages awards in personal injury cases. They can also put you in touch with financial and occupational health professionals who can estimate how much you've lost in terms of money.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a big commitment, but it can come with big benefits. Contact our office at 403-329-4311 for a free consultation to find out if hiring a personal injury lawyer is right for you.  Learn more about John McMullin, JD here.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.