Should I Look for a Personal Injury Law Firm for a Minor Accident in Texas?

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Should I Look for a Personal Injury Law Firm for a Minor Accident in Texas?

The severity of resulting injuries in an accident determines the disruption it causes to life and the value of damages you can claim in a personal injury lawsuit. 

With minor injuries, the recoverable damages may seem insignificant at face value, so for most people, it’s a question of whether the injuries are worth getting a lawyer for. 

This guide explores situations where you may need or not need to hire a lawyer and can help you in decision-making, keep reading to learn more. 

What Is a Minor Injury?

The most basic definition of a minor injury is an injury that doesn’t cause much bodily harm. The term can be relative in the context of a personal injury claim. To you, your injuries may be minor, but a doctor may look at them differently, so it’s best to leave the classification of an injury to medical professionals. 

As such, there is no single answer to whether you should get a lawyer for a minor injury. The best approach would be to approach each case individually and let the case facts guide the decision. 

Why You May Need a Lawyer for Minor Injuries

Damages May Be More Than You Think

“The most common mistake people make after an accident is settling a case with the at-fault insurer, thinking their injuries are minor. The problem with settling is that you sign release papers, meaning you can’t hold them liable for additional damages resulting from the accident,” says Texas personal injury attorney Felix Gonzalez.

If you develop complications after settling a claim for seemingly minor injuries, you may not have a way of recovering them from the at-fault party. So, as a rule of thumb, never rule your injuries as minor until the doctor rules them as such, as you take your time to be sure the injuries do not cause future complications. 

The Severity of Physical Injury May Not Be the Only Measure

Most people rely on physical injuries to determine the level of damage suffered in an accident. However, physical damage is not the only measure for damages suffered. In some cases, emotional damage resulting from an accident can be quite significant, even when the physical injuries are not as significant. 

For example, an accident can cause PTSD or anxiety that requires lengthy therapy to treat. In such cases, the cost of therapy can add up to huge amounts even when the cost of treating physical injuries may not.

When You May Not Need To Involve a Lawyer

Involving a lawyer in your claim aims to maximize recoverable damages. You may not need to hire a lawyer when there isn’t much in terms of damages. However, it’s still important to consult one before ruling your damages as insignificant. Lawyers will only take on a case if they are sure it is worth the effort since their pay is a percentage of the payout. 

So, if they rule it as not worth getting a lawyer for, you probably do not need to hire one. Lawyers consider two main types of damages when determining whether your case is worth taking: economic and non-economic. 

Most personal injury lawyers do not charge an initial consultation fee, so you do not have to worry about the cost of involving one. Even when you engage one, you only pay if they win your case, creating a win-win situation.