Each year millions of people suffer accidents – 24.5 million people go to the emergency department annually for unintentional injuries. What happens if you are involved in an accident that isn’t your fault?

Depending on what happened, you may want to consider working with a personal injury attorney. How do you know if it makes sense to contact a lawyer, and how can you find the right one for your case?

Do you need a personal injury lawyer? 

Minor accidents can usually be resolved without legal help, but accidents that cause serious harm, such as broken bones or a head injury, are another story. 

If another party is responsible for your accident, you have the right to work with a lawyer to help you receive a settlement. Common areas of personal injury law include:

• Medical malpractice
• Car accidents
• Falls
• Assault 

How can you start your search?

Finding a lawyer in the wake of an accident can be overwhelming, particularly if you are struggling with pain and visits to the doctor. The internet is an easy place to start. You can look up local attorneys online and see if any specialize in the kind of accident you’ve experienced.

You also have the option of turning to your family and friends. Has anyone you know experienced an accident and needed a lawyer? Do you know any lawyers? Even if the lawyer you know does not take on personal injury cases, they may be able to point you in the direction of a reputable colleague or firm.

 What should you look for in a personal injury lawyer?

A simple search online and a request for recommendations from your social circle can yield dozens of options. How do you narrow down your list of potential lawyers?

First, consider their specialty. Does the law firm you are talking to have experience handling cases similar to yours? If you have been in a car accident, you will want to know your lawyer has successfully helped other victims of car crashes.

 In most cases, you can schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer without any fees. Consider setting up meetings with your top choices to get a better understanding of how they will handle your case.

Keep in mind, a consultation does not guarantee that a lawyer will agree to take your case.

How can a personal injury lawyer help?

Accidents can seriously affect your quality of life, resulting in medical bills, physical pain, lost work hours and emotional turmoil. A personal injury lawyer can be your advocate as you work to receive a settlement to help cover medical bills and other damages related to the accident.

The party liable for your injury, whether a company or an individual, may have insurance that will handle your personal injury claim. But, an insurance company may delay payment, give a low settlement offer or outright deny your claim.

An experienced personal injury attorney will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible settlement offer.

This article is intended to convey generally useful information only and does not constitute legal advice. Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author, not LawChamps.