1. Are You Dealing with Serious Injuries?
If you’ve sustained serious or long-term injuries, hiring a personal injury attorney is strongly recommended. Injuries that result in extended medical treatment, permanent disability, or impact your ability to work often warrant more compensation than the insurance company initially offers.
An attorney can help ensure you’re fairly compensated not just for your current medical bills, but for future expenses, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering.
2. Was Someone Else Clearly at Fault? Or Is the Fault Unclear?
Wisconsin is a comparative negligence state, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you’re not more at fault than the party you’re making a claim against. However, the insurance company may try to shift more blame to you to reduce your payout.
An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and advocate for your side to make sure fault is determined fairly.
3. Are You Struggling to Handle the Insurance Company?
Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their job is to minimize payouts. If you feel pressured to accept a quick settlement, or if you’re being asked to provide a recorded statement or sign forms you don’t fully understand, that’s a red flag.
A personal injury attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company, protect your rights, and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
4. Are There Multiple Parties Involved?
Accidents involving multiple vehicles, commercial trucks, or third-party contractors can quickly become complicated. Sorting out liability and negotiating with several insurance carriers is a legal maze.
An attorney will know how to navigate complex claims and identify all potential sources of compensation.
5. Has Your Claim Been Denied or Delayed?
If your insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, you shouldn’t have to fight alone. Insurance companies count on injured people giving up out of frustration.
A personal injury lawyer can appeal the denial, escalate the claim, and if necessary, file a lawsuit to fight for the compensation you’re owed.
6. Are You Unsure What Your Case Is Worth?
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are difficult to quantify without experience. Attorneys use industry standards, medical evaluations, and past case results to accurately calculate damages and build a strong case for full compensation.
Without that insight, you risk leaving money on the table.
7. Are there large medical/insurance liens?
If you have large outstanding medical bills that no insurance company has paid, or if your insurance company is telling you you owe them out of the settlement, or if you are not sure whether either of these things is true, you likely need an experienced attorney to help you sort these things out.
When You Might Not Need an Attorney
In some cases, hiring a lawyer may not be necessary:
- Your injuries are very minor and require little to no treatment
- There is no dispute over fault
- The insurance company offers full reimbursement for all expenses (and you’re confident in the amount)
Even then, many attorneys offer free consultations, so it’s still worth getting a professional opinion before making any decisions.
Bottom Line: When in Doubt, Reach Out
Personal injury law in Wisconsin is complex, and insurance companies aren’t on your side. If you’re unsure about whether to hire an attorney, take advantage of a free consultation. You’ll get a clearer picture of your options and your case’s value, at no cost and no obligation.
At the end of the day, your health and financial future are too important to risk.