Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
- Burnside Brankamp Law
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Key Points
A lawyer protects you from insurance company tactics
Legal help often increases your total compensation
Most injury attorneys charge no upfront fees
You don’t have to be “sue-happy” to get help
You’re Unsure About Calling a Lawyer; You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been hurt in an accident and you’re not sure what to do next.
Maybe it was a car crash, a fall, a medical mistake, or a problem at a nursing home.
You might be thinking, “I’m not the suing type,” or “What if this makes everything worse?” That hesitation is completely normal, and you’re far from the only one who feels this way.
This blog is for you if you’re on the fence and just want honest, plain‑English answers.
We’re going to walk through what personal injury attorneys actually do, how they get paid, when you might not need one, and when it’s risky to move forward alone.
By the end, you’ll be in a much better position to decide what’s right for you and your family.
What a Personal Injury Attorney Actually Does
A personal injury attorney’s job is to handle the legal and insurance side of your accident so you don’t have to.
That means investigating what happened, collecting evidence like photos, police reports, and medical records, and figuring out who is legally responsible.
They also calculate how much your case may actually be worth; not just today, but in the future.
On top of that, your attorney deals directly with the insurance company for you.
They handle the calls, the letters, the paperwork, and the negotiations.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
While you focus on getting better and living your life, your attorney focuses on protecting your rights and building your case.
Common Misconceptions About Hiring an Injury Attorney
A lot of people avoid calling a lawyer because they’ve heard things that simply aren’t true.
You might think, “My case is too small,” “Lawyers just stir up trouble,” or “If I hire a lawyer, it means I’m greedy.”
These beliefs are understandable, but they don’t reflect how personal injury law actually works for most people.
In reality, many attorneys will honestly tell you if your case is too minor to need legal help.
Their role isn’t to create conflict, it’s to level the playing field between you and the insurance company.
And asking to be treated fairly after someone else’s negligence hurt you isn’t greed; it’s protecting yourself from being left with bills and losses that shouldn’t be yours alone.
Why Handling a Claim Alone Can Backfire
Insurance companies handle claims every day, and they know exactly how to protect their own bottom line.
If you’re not used to this process, it’s easy to say something in a recorded statement that gets twisted and used against you.
You might sign forms you don’t fully understand or accept a quick settlement without realizing you’re giving up the right to more money later.
Another problem is that most people don’t know what their claim is truly worth.
You may think only about today’s medical bills and a few missed days of work.
But what if you need more treatment?
What if your pain lingers?
What if you can’t return to the same kind of job?
Without legal guidance, you risk settling for far less than you actually need and deserve.
How an Attorney Can Increase the Value of Your Claim
An experienced personal injury attorney looks at your case in a much more complete way than most people do on their own.
They consider your past and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning potential, pain and suffering, and how your injuries affect your day‑to‑day life.
Instead of guessing, they use the law, past cases, and evidence to build a realistic picture of your damages.
Attorneys also know how to present your case in a way insurance companies take seriously.
That might include detailed medical summaries, reports from your doctors, expert opinions, and documentation that shows how your injuries have changed your life.
A strong, well‑organized case often leads to better settlement offers since it’s harder for the insurance company to ignore or minimize your losses.
How Contingency Fees Really Work
Money is one of the main reasons people hesitate to call a lawyer.
The good news is that most personal injury attorneys work on a “contingency fee” basis.
This means you don’t pay them upfront or by the hour.
Instead, their fee is a percentage of the amount they recover for you. If they don’t recover money for you, they typically don’t get paid an attorney’s fee.
During your consultation, the attorney should explain exactly how this percentage works, when it’s taken out, and what other case costs may be involved.
You’re allowed to ask questions like, “What happens if we don’t win?” and “How are expenses handled?”
The goal is for you to understand the arrangement clearly so you can feel comfortable moving forward without worrying about surprise bills.
Emotional and Moral Concerns
Another big hesitation is emotional: you don’t want to cause drama, hurt someone personally, or feel like you’re “out to get” anybody.
It helps to know that most injury cases are handled through insurance, not by taking money directly from an individual’s pocket.
You are usually dealing with a company that has already been paid premiums to cover situations like yours.
Hiring a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re declaring war or signing up for a nasty court battle.
In fact, most personal injury cases settle outside of court through negotiation.
Your attorney’s job is to handle those conversations professionally so you don’t have to.
You’re not trying to be difficult; you’re trying to be made whole after being harmed, and that’s a reasonable, responsible thing to do.
When You Might Not Need a Personal Injury Attorney
There are some situations where you may not actually need a lawyer.
For example, if you were in a very minor accident, have little to no physical injury, and your medical bills are extremely low and straightforward, you may be able to handle the claim on your own.
In those cases, hiring an attorney might not significantly change the outcome.
That said, it can still be smart to at least talk to an attorney briefly.
Many offer free consultations and will tell you honestly if your case is simple enough to manage yourself.
Even a quick conversation can give you peace of mind and a few tips on how to talk to the insurance company and what to watch out for in the paperwork.
When You Definitely Should Talk to an Attorney
There are other times when trying to handle things alone can be risky.
If you suffered serious injuries, needed surgery, face a long recovery, or may have permanent limitations, you should absolutely speak with a personal injury attorney.
In these situations, the potential value of your claim is higher and the consequences of a mistake can be much more serious.
You should also involve an attorney if fault is being disputed, multiple vehicles or parties are involved, or your case includes issues like medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, or defective products.
These cases can involve complex laws, lots of evidence, and aggressive defense from insurance companies.
Having a lawyer in your corner can make a major difference in both the process and the outcome.
What to Expect After You Hire an Attorney
Many people imagine that hiring a lawyer means endless meetings, paperwork, and court dates.
In reality, your first step is usually a free consultation where you talk through what happened, your injuries, and any documents you already have.
If you both agree to move forward, you’ll sign some paperwork, and your attorney will start gathering information and evidence.
From there, your lawyer takes over communication with the insurance company and begins building your case.
They may send a detailed demand letter that lays out your injuries and what you’re seeking.
Often, there’s a period of negotiation where offers go back and forth.
If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit, but even then, many cases settle before ever reaching a trial.
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney for You
Not every attorney is the right fit for every person, and that’s okay.
When you’re considering who to hire, ask about their experience with cases like yours; car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, product injuries, and so on.
It can also help to know whether they regularly practice in your area and understand local courts and procedures.
Pay attention to how you feel during your conversation.
Do they listen more than they talk?
Do they explain things in plain English?
Do you feel rushed or pressured?
Ask about how they communicate, how often you’ll get updates, and who will be your main point of contact.
The right attorney should make you feel informed, respected, and supported from the beginning.
Real-World Scenarios: With and Without an Attorney
Imagine one person who is injured in a crash and quickly accepts the first offer the insurance company makes.
At the time, it feels like relief; money in hand, case closed.
But months later, they’re still in pain, need more treatment, and are missing more work.
The settlement money is gone, and they can’t go back and ask for more, even though their situation has clearly changed.
Now picture someone in a similar accident who consults a personal injury attorney before settling.
Their lawyer waits until the full extent of the injuries is clearer, gathers records and opinions from doctors, and documents future treatment needs and lost income.
When they negotiate, they’re working from solid proof, not guesses.
The final settlement reflects not just today’s bills, but the months or years of recovery ahead.
FAQs from People Unsure About Hiring a Lawyer
People who are on the fence about calling a lawyer tend to ask the same questions.
“What if my injuries get better quickly, does that ruin my case?”
“Will I have to go to court?”
“How long does this whole process take?”
These are completely reasonable questions, and a good attorney should be willing to answer them clearly before you decide anything.
In general, if your injuries improve faster than expected, that information just becomes part of your case; it doesn’t automatically “ruin” it.
Most cases never go to trial and are resolved through settlement instead.
As for timing, some claims resolve in a few months, while more complex cases can take a year or longer.
The point is, you don’t have to guess.
You can talk to a lawyer and get answers based on your specific situation.
Your Next Step If You’re Still on the Fence
If you’re still unsure about hiring a personal injury attorney, that’s okay.
You don’t have to decide anything today. Your next step can simply be gathering more information by speaking to a lawyer in a free, no‑pressure consultation.
You can ask questions, share what happened, and get a clearer picture of your options without committing to a lawsuit or to hiring anyone.
If you’re in Ohio or Kentucky and want to talk to a firm that focuses on compassionate, clear, and experienced personal injury representation, Burnside Brankamp Law is available to help.
You can call or visit their website to request a free case review.
Their team is dedicated to defending your rights and protecting your future so you don’t have to face this process alone.
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