Article Written By: Christine Jackson
If you've been involved in an accident you may be wondering if you have to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney. On one hand, there are the advertisements by attorneys on television which insist that you need their assistance to protect your rights. On the other hand, the insurance company that's handling your claim may insist that they're doing everything necessary for your interest and health. Who should you believe?In most cases it is advisable to seek the counsel of an attorney. Even if you don't wind up hiring him or her to represent you, it's a wise decision to at least seek advice from them to ensure that you understand all the legal repercussions of your injury. Often times, some laws or rights could be unknown to you, or worse, the insurance company might not willingly inform you of all your rights.To be able to get what you deserve and need from any accident settlement, it's essential to follow a couple of standard guidelines. First, when possible after the accident, even when you think it may have been your fault, you have to at least seek an initial consultation with an attorney. Even though you may feel as though you can't afford legal assistance, it could be more expensive to ignore your case or try to process it alone. Through an initial consultation a lawyer can help you determine whether you even have a case, who is at fault if you do, what actions could be taken and advise you regarding any time limits you face before your case would be invalid. It's also a great idea to talk with a lawyer before speaking to anyone else concerning the case. This includes any one at your place of employment, the other party's insurance companies and their lawyers.By deciding not to retain a lawyer, you can also lose some money in the future. For instance, what happens if any of the symptoms return after your initial treatment? Since you've already settled with the insurance they're not likely to come back and pick up the tab for further medical or hospital bills. Another disadvantage to settling with an insurance company without first talking to a lawyer is that in some cases you may not notice or feel the consequences of your injuries till months after the accident. In these cases, lawyers are experienced enough to know what the long-term effects of certain injuries can be and they can help to protect you from future financial problems due to medical issues or setbacks.In the case of an automobile accident, it's always a great idea to retain the services of an attorney, even when you were the only party injured in the accident or if you feel that the accident was certainly your fault. Many times what victims of an accident say at the time of the incident will change as soon as they have had a chance to talk to their attorney, insurance company or perhaps friends. To be able to protect yourself from further fault, you should hire an attorney to defend you against any false claims.In the case of a work related accident, you should always seek legal advice. Most workmen's compensation cases are very complex and the outcome of any trial could greatly affect your future workload and financial security.Any other type of accident which doesn't belong to these guidelines must also be taken to a lawyer, at least for an initial review. Only an attorney can tell you for certain if legal representation is needed in your case.
This Article Has Been Published on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 and Read 273 Times