Most people will make it through their entire lives without ever needing an attorney. Thankfully, most of us will never have to deal with something like this. But if you do, it’s important that you understand that personal injury attorneys don’t accept every single case that walks through their door.
A competent personal injury lawyer in Augusta will only cases that have merit. Nobody wants to waste their time on a case that has no value. However, some people think that personal injury attorneys will take any case, regardless of how big or small it may be.
In reality, if a case isn’t worth more than a few thousand dollars, it’s not in a lawyer’s best interest to take it. It’s going to cost the lawyer at least a few hundred dollars to file your case and gather evidence. They want to know that there’s a good chance they’ll get their money back.
Since most, if not all, personal injury attorneys in Augusta work on a contingency basis, they like to evaluate a case before they take it. If the lawyer you meet with chooses not to represent you, don’t take it personally. But just because they don’t want to file a lawsuit for you doesn’t mean they can’t help you.
What Does it Mean for a Case to Have Merit?
Some people think they can sue someone just because they’re angry or because they hurt their feelings. In reality, you need to suffer an injury in order to file a suit. You can’t sue someone if you can’t prove that you suffered damages.
When you first meet with your Augusta personal injury lawyer, they’ll ask you questions about your case. Some of the things they’ll want to know include:
- How long ago did the incident happen?
- Were there any witnesses to the event?
- Were you hurt? What kind of injuries did you suffer?
- Do you have medical documentation of your injuries?
- Did you suffer any out of pocket expenses?
Based on your answer, they’ll decide whether your case is worth taking. If you suffered legitimate injuries, your case probably has merit. The question will then become, do you have evidence to prove it.
Can You Prove Your Injuries?
In order for your attorney to get you damages, they have to be able to prove your damages. This means you need evidence proving you were hurt. If you don’t have this, you don’t have a case.
One reason it’s so important that you go to the hospital immediately after your accident is to get documentation. When the doctors examine you, they’ll make notations of any injuries you’ve suffered. They’ll also indicate what kind of medical treatment you’re going to need.
You also need to have receipts for any out of pocket expenses you’ve experienced. If you had to pay copays or fees for medical equipment rentals, keep receipts. If you lost wages because of your injuries, make sure you can produce timesheets.
Reasons Personal Injury Attorneys Might Not Accept a Case
If you’ve been hurt, you’re going to want justice. The problem is, you may not realize how much your case is really worth. Or, you may think your word is enough to prove your case. This isn’t true.
Some of the reasons why an Augusta personal injury lawyer wouldn’t want to accept your case are:
- Your injuries took place too long ago. If your case is beyond the statute of limitations, there’s nothing your lawyer can do to help you.
- You weren’t injured. If you didn’t get hurt, you’re not entitled to any damages.
- You don’t have evidence. If you can’t prove your damages, your case will not have merit.
- The defendant has no assets or resources. If there’s no insurance company involved, there may be no money to go after.
Contact Our Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys in Augusta
If you’ve been injured in any sort of accident, you may be entitled to damages. In order to know for sure, you need to meet with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Augusta. They can review your case and let you know what it may be worth.
Call our car crash and injury attorneys today and schedule your free initial consultation. Let our experienced personal injury attorneys answer any questions you may have. Be honest with them and they’ll be honest with you. If they don’t believe your case has merit, they’ll let you know.
The good news is, they may be able to help you some other way. A lot of smaller cases can be resolved with a simple demand letter. Call and speak with an attorney today to find out for sure.
