I recently settled a personal injury case for an individual, who suffered a serious neck and shoulder injury in a car accident in Worcester, Massachusetts. This person came to see us a year after his car accident, but already had a lawyer. Unfortunately, he was not happy with his attorney and the lack of progress in his case.
He originally hired that lawyer because his family recommended him. That attorney had been their family lawyer for estate planning and real estate transactions. Although that lawyer may have been a great estate planning or real estate attorney, he did not have much experience with personal injury cases. It was apparent from reviewing the file and case that the lawyer was unfamiliar with personal injury cases from motor vehicle accidents. Our office took over the handling of the case and we were able to settle it in just over one month.
It is Important to Hire An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney for Accident Cases
One of the most important decisions an individual, who was injured in an auto accident, can make is to hire an experienced and qualified personal injury lawyer. While there are many attorneys out there that engage in the general practice of law (they handle a wide array of legal matters), when it comes to accident and injury cases, a specialized and experienced personal injury attorney should be used.
There are many general practice lawyers that suggest that they can handle a personal injury case. Although, these same attorneys may contend that all personal injury cases are the same, nothing is further from the truth. When it comes to personal injury cases there are specific Massachusetts statutes, prior precedent cases and legal nuances that must be known, understood and considered when representing an injured person. You could be putting your future at risk if you do not have an experienced injury attorney on your side.
By way of analogy, if you had a leaky faucet at home you would call a plumber, right? You wouldn’t hire an electrician or carpenter. Although a general builder, contractor or an electrician may be familiar with some plumbing matters, you’d want to use an experienced plumber to fix your leaky faucet so it doesn’t cause more damage than it may have already done. Well, the same goes for personal injury cases. If you are seriously injured in a car accident you should have an experienced personal injury attorney handling your case, not a divorce or real estate attorney.
When selecting a lawyer to represent you in your case, scan through their website, see what type of cases they've handled before and check out their personal injury case results. These are all good ways to start to narrow down the right lawyer for your accident case.
Here’s How an Experienced Accident Attorney Can Help
If you are hurt in an accident, whether it is a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or a work related accident, you should hire a lawyer that is experienced and familiar with your type of case. An experienced attorney will know how to deal with the insurance companies, protect you from some of the insurance companies’ tactics that may hurt your case, explain the personal injury process and negotiate and fight for the financial compensation and benefits you deserve.
When you have been seriously hurt in an accident you may have medical bills piling up, lose time at work and money and experience severe pain and suffering. A lawyer or law office that specializes in personal injury cases will know how to make sure your medical bills get paid, fight to get you your lost wages or earnings and negotiate for full and fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
In cases where liability may be an issue, an experienced attorney can evaluate your case right away and make sure to collect or obtain evidence to help pursue your case. Furthermore, an experienced personal injury lawyer will know when, how and where to file a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company is not willing to accept liability or offer a fair settlement.
There have been studies that show that accident victims who use injury attorneys ended up receiving more money than those that don’t. This is even after taking into account the legal fee and expenses of the case. So, do yourself and your family a favor and consult with an experienced injury attorney or law office if you are injured in an accident.
Speak With An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been hurt in an accident in Massachusetts you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. This will at least get you the information and advice you need to take the appropriate and necessary action. If you are reading this, you have taken a great first step towards educating yourself about personal injury cases. Do yourself a favor, and take the next step. Sit down with a personal injury lawyer and learn how these cases are filed, handled and settled.
We offer free initial meetings where we will review your case, answer your questions, and explain your rights and legal options. Feel free to call (508) 879-3500 or contact us online.