Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?

After being injured in an accident, many people question whether they are better off hiring an attorney or representing themselves. Self-representation can pose issues to a person unfamiliar with the insurance claims process. However, depending on the facts surrounding the case, it may be advantageous for the injured party to handle their case personally. At Gross & Schuster, we will let you during your initial consultation if we believe you are better off without an attorney. Many people mistakenly believe that they can show the insurance company medical records, an accident report and tell them about how bad they are hurt and the insurance company will open up its pocketbook. Well, that is not typically the case. Insurance companies make money by paying out as little as possible on each claim. The less they have to pay, the more money the company makes. There are also many loopholes and traps that self-representation present which can irreparably harm a case. Having an experienced attorney on your side can often be the pivotal component needed to ensure you are justly compensated for your injuries.

 

Will I be able to recover more on my own?

Depending on the type of case and the complexity an attorney can be very beneficial in helping a client obtain a reasonable settlement for their injury claim. Attorneys don’t only help in negotiating a fair settlement, but they also help negotiate medical bills. This ultimately results in the client netting more money once the case is resolved. There are cases where a client may be better off without an attorney. The attorneys at Gross & Schuster do not accept cases unless they believe the representation will benefit the client. Both Terence Gross and Charles Schuster have over 37 years of experience and are Board Certified Civil Trial attorneys specializing in personal injury law.

How much money is my case worth?

Almost every injury victim will not know how to accurately attach a monetary value to his or her case. However, an experienced attorney can give a good evaluation of the case. A personal injury lawyer has to take into account: liability issues, amount of medical bills, amount of bills written off, amount of bills paid by other sources,future medical costs, life expectancy, pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, past and future lost wages, and insurance coverage amongst other factors in order to give a fair evaluation of a case. An experienced attorney can help ensure that you do not settle your case for less than it is worth.

Personal injury lawyers can also assist a person with his or her injury claim by determining the amount of insurance coverage available. It sounds simple and straight forward, but often it is not. Many individuals believe the recovery is limited to the amount of liability insurance coverage from the defendant driver’s policy. However, there are often other avenues and mechanisms available that knowledgeable and experienced attorneysmay explore to locate additional coverage. Experienced attorneys know how to obtain liability coverage from the driver, owner, employer or any other responsible party. Furthermore, a qualified personal injury attorney knows how to seek uninsured or underinsured motorist’s coverage from various sources. Personal injury lawyers can also occasionally obtain uninsured coverage even when it is not on the uninsured/underinsured party’s personal policy. Settling a case with the defendant owner without knowing the full amount of coverage available can be a tragic and irreparable mistake.

Other questions unrepresented individuals often have include:

• When should I settle?
• What information do I need to provide to the insurance company?
• Should I provide a recorded statement to the insurance company?
• Should I allow the insurance company access to all of my medical records?
• How much are my medical bills?
• Do I have to pay my medical bills back?
• What happens if I do not pay my medical bills back?
• What are the consequences if I release an at-fault party?
• Should I accept an offer?
• Should I file a law suit?

These are all issues that the attorneys at Gross & Schuster handle on daily basis and can help injured individuals understand. Remember, all attorneys are not the same. Many attorneys are general practitioners that do not specialize in personal injury law. Other attorneys are from out of the area and are often not as knowledgeable about local practices. We believe injury victims can greatly benefit by utilizing a local attorney that specializes in personal injury law.

The attorneys at Gross & Schuster are equipped to represent you on your personal injury case. Both Terence Gross and Charles Schuster have practiced personal injury law for over 37 years and are Board Certified Civil Trial Attorneys. Our practice and reputation has been built not only on our accomplishments, knowledge, and experience, but on our dedication to our clients and our personalized approach to each individual case. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of another’s negligence, please give Gross & Schuster a call today to see how we can help. Our consultations are free and there is no fee unless we recover.