In an attorney's perfect world, everyone who was injured due to someone else's negligence or actions would contact a personal injury lawyer such as Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan immediately after the incident occurred or when they realized they were injured. However, not everyone wants to contact an attorney immediately, nor does everyone decide to use a lawyer for their case. This is always a choice you have to make if you were injured. But, in some cases, it makes a lot of sense to hire a personal injury attorney rather than to attempt to handle the case on your own. Here are a few of the signs that you should hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you for your personal injury case.

If You Are Unsure Whether You Have a Viable Personal Injury Case
One of the signs that you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer is being unsure whether you have a viable personal injury case. Liability and fault are key factors that come into play in every personal injury case. Unfortunately, most people do not have a legal background and do not understand what may or may not be a viable personal injury case. An attorney can work with you to determine if someone else's actions or negligence may have led to your accident and injuries, and whether they can be held legal responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering due to their actions or lack of action.

When You Have Questions About the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
When it comes to personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is extremely important. If you fail to file a personal injury case before the statute of limitations expires, you may forever give up your right to bring a lawsuit against the other party for your injuries. The personal injury statute of limitations varies from state to state and may vary based on the age of the injured party and whether it is a federal, state, county or individual that the case is being brought against. A personal injury lawyer can help you to understand the statute of limitations in your case and ensure your case is filed prior to the statute expiring.

If There Are Disputes About Fault and Liability
In some personal injury cases, it is clear who is at fault for your injuries and why. In other cases, there may be disputes about fault and liability. For example, if someone rear ends you, the driver who hit you is typically at fault. But, if you were going through an intersection and a car t-bones you, they state that you ran a red light or failed to stop at a stop sign, while you may be saying the same thing about them. If there are disputes about fault and liability, getting an attorney involved is important. An attorney can talk to witnesses and obtain video footage which may help to prove who is at fault and liable for the accident.

When There Are Multiple Possible Defendants
Filing a case against one party is challenging enough. If there are multiple defendants that may be responsible for or liable for your injuries, you should always work with an attorney. A personal injury lawyer can identify whether there are multiple parties that you should name in your personal injury case, and ensure each party is properly added to the lawsuit and served.

If the Insurance Company Has Denied Your Case
Insurance companies are not always looking out for your best interests. If you were injured in a car accident case or slipped and fell on someone's property, they may handle the case on behalf of their insured. After talking to you and their insured, they may deny your case for a number of reasons. If they deny the claim, you need to involve a personal injury lawyer. You may have a limited period of time to take action after the claim was denied. You also need someone familiar with insurance companies fighting to help you get your claim accepted, which ultimately allows you to recover money.

When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed or Confused
Personal injury cases can be confusing or overwhelming to handle on your own. Legal jargon may be thrown around that you do not understand. You also may be recovering from injuries and may be stressed out about money. If you are feeling overwhelmed or confused in regards to a personal injury case, it is time to have a personal injury attorney involved. The attorney can take the case over so you can focus on your recovery, rather than trying to handle everything on your own.

If You Have Suffered Major Injuries
The final sign that you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your personal injury case is suffering major injuries. If you have sustained relatively minor injuries that you are expected to heal fully from in a short period of time with minimal medical intervention, it may be easy for you to determine how much money you should be compensated for your injuries. If you have sustained major injuries, putting a price tag on your pain and suffering and future medical expenses is a lot more challenging. A personal injury attorney has the experience needed to properly value your case and work to recover the maximum amount of money for you.

It is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney immediately after an accident or incident occurred which left you injured and may be someone's fault. This is because a personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you file the case before the statute of limitations occurs, can guide you on your interactions with the insurance company, can help you to get the medical treatment you need, and can work to obtain evidence which can help to prove fault and liability. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer if you suspect you may a viable personal injury case to get the help and guidance you deserve with your case.