Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Fatal Mistake #5 – Not Hiring a Lawyer or Not Hiring the Right Lawyer (Part A)
This is an excerpt from the 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Massachusetts Accident Case by the Boston car accident lawyer, Thomas M. Kiley.
Though it is true that a lawyer will usually get a portion of the money you collect from the insurance company for your injuries, it is also true that a good lawyer can dramatically increase your chances of getting a larger settlement. And, while it seems that most people should know it is important to seek advice when they are injured, statistics show that many people don’t do so.
Here are four reasons why people don’t hire a personal injury lawyer immediately after an injury:
- They don’t know if they really need a lawyer, so they are hesitant to talk to one.
- They don’t know a lawyer personally, so they don’t bother to look for one.
- They aren’t sure whether they can trust a lawyer, so they don’t want to use one.
- They believe it when the insurance companies tell them that they will end up with less money if they hire an attorney. (By the way, that is absolutely NOT true!)
Why You Should Avoid This Mistake
These reasons are not good enough. In spite of all the lawyer jokes you may have heard, there are many honest, hardworking, ethical lawyers who can help you deal with an insurance company claim.
Many accident victims, already in distressed physical, mental, and financial circumstances, understandably choose to delay what they consider to be the hassles involved in retaining a personal injury attorney. Some may have had a bad experience with an attorney (in a divorce, for example), or they simply do not like or trust attorneys. These people may attempt to represent themselves.
Some accident victims, in an attempt to avoid paying legal fees, initially try to represent themselves and call an attorney only after they realize that they’ve gotten in over their heads.
Unfortunately, there are many mistakes (such as providing damaging statements to adjusters) that cannot be “undone” even by the most experienced personal injury attorney.
Also, if you wait too long to get legal help, it will be harder to find evidence and witnesses. You also risk losing your claim because the deadline for filing a lawsuit has expired.
If you have been involved in an accident and injured due to someone else’s negligence, the Boston personal injury attorney Thomas Kiley from the Kiley Law Group, can help you win the best settlement you deserve for the injuries suffered in an accident.
Call (888) 208-1695 today for a Free Case Evaluation.
Continue to Fatal Mistake #5 – Not Hiring a Lawyer or Not Hiring the Right Lawyer (Part B)
