If you get injured in an accident in Kansas City, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Whether or not you need to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you during the claim depends on the details of your case. Although no law requires you to hire a lawyer, it can be beneficial to plaintiffs and defendants alike. Find out the best circumstances to hire a personal injury attorney.
Cases That Often Require Professional Legal Assistance
You are not obligated to hire an attorney in a civil lawsuit in Missouri. Doing so, however, could be integral to the success of your case. Most people can handle simple or small injury claims on their own to save on legal fees. If you have a serious or complicated personal injury case, however, you could benefit from hiring an attorney. Some examples of cases that may require an attorney include:
- High-stakes cases, such as those involving catastrophic injuries
- Claims that are worth more than $10,000
- Cases with liability disputes or multiple defendants
- Cases where the plaintiff shares liability
- Claims where the insurance company is taking advantage of the claimant
- Cases involving the wrongful death of a victim
In general, you should hire a personal injury lawyer if you suffered serious injuries, you have already maxed out the available insurance limits, you need assistance negotiating with an insurance company or you don’t wish to research the law on your own. You can always schedule a free consultation in Kansas City to learn more about your case and the surrounding laws at no cost or obligation.
Can I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Small Claims in Missouri?
In most instances, you do not need an attorney for a small claim, or a claim that is worth less than $10,000. You should be able to handle this type of case on your own and still recover fair financial compensation for your losses. That being said, there are situations when consulting with an attorney can be beneficial. If you are unsure of the value of your claim or whether an insurance company is offering an adequate settlement, for example, an attorney can answer these questions for you.
You may need to hire a lawyer for a small claim if you run into obstacles during your claim or if the other side of your case has hired a lawyer. Certain personal injury lawyers will not take on clients in the small claims court. This is because the payout would not be worth the attorney’s time, as most personal injury lawyers work for a percentage of the client’s final payout. You will have to search for an attorney who specifically accepts small claims.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’re on the fence about hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you, consider the pros and cons. Although each case is unique, in general, having an attorney represent you can lead to the following advantages:
- You can rest and relax while an attorney does the legal work for you.
- You don’t have to understand the law or how to navigate a lawsuit.
- You won’t rush into a settlement that undervalues your injuries.
- You will have the means to fight for maximum financial compensation for a serious injury.
- You will increase the chances of a successful case outcome.
If you want to hire a lawyer but are worried about how much one will cost, find an attorney who is willing to take your case on a contingency fee basis. At Dickerson Oxton, for example, our personal injury lawyers only charge if they win the case. If we succeed in securing financial compensation for you, you will pay out of your settlement or judgment award. This means you’ll never pay out of pocket for your attorney.
To find out if hiring a personal injury attorney is right for you and your claim, contact us to request a free consultation. We will give you our honest opinion on whether or not we can help.