Thankfully, many people go through most of their life without ever needing to hire a personal injury lawyer. This is a wonderful thing because it means they also go through most of their life without suffering any serious injuries as the result of an accident. Unfortunately, it can also mean that they are not very knowledgeable when the time comes for them to seek out these legal services.

If you have found yourself in this same position, continue reading to learn five facts that you really should know about hiring a personal injury lawyer. 

Fact #1: There Are Time Limits Associated With Your Ability To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer

All personal injury cases come with a statute of limitations which is established by law. When this legal time limit expires, you will no longer be able to seek damages in your injury case. Consequently, it is never a good idea to put off consulting a lawyer if you have suffered injuries as the result of an accident. 

Fact #2: A Personal Injury Lawyer Cannot Help If You Already Accepted Payment For Your Injuries 

The law seeks to protect people from frivolous lawsuits by limiting your ability to collect compensation in an injury case. Once you have accepted payment for your injuries, you will no longer be able to seek further compensation even if you were initially underpaid. That is why it is always a good idea to consult a lawyer before you have accepted any payment. 

Fact #3: Personal Injury Lawyers Handle More Than Car Accident Claims 

Many people mistakenly believe that personal injury lawyers exclusively handle car accident claims. The truth, however, is that these lawyers handle a wide variety of accident claims including dog bites, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, and worker's compensation claims. Many personal injury lawyers also handle medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. 

Fact #4: There Is No Upfront Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer 

Personal injury lawyers differ from many other types of lawyers in the fact that they do not require any upfront payment for their services. Instead, these lawyers will collect their payment from any settlement you receive. Furthermore, you will not be required to pay any legal fees unless your lawyer is able to win your case. 

Fact #5: Consulting A Personal Injury Lawyer Does Not Eliminate Your Right To Handle Your Own Claim

Just because you choose to consult an attorney does not mean that you have to retain their services. If you feel as though these services are not the right fit for you, you can always choose to continue moving forward with your case on your own. Consequently, you truly do not have anything to lose by choosing to at least meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.