Personal Injury Lawyer | Car Accident Attorney in Gulfport, MS
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Motorcycle Accident
    • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Aviation Accident
    • Neck Injuries
    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • More Cases >
      • Brain Injuries
      • Back Injuries
      • Spinal Cord Injuries
      • Amputation, Disfigurement, Paralysis
      • Chemical Exposure and Industrial Accident Attorneys
      • Electrocutions, Burns and Explosions
      • Car Accident
      • Truck Accident
      • Boating Accident
      • Dangerous Defective Products
  • Other Cases
    • Social Security Disability
    • Premises Liability
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Maritime Injury >
      • What Does the Jones Act Mean for Injured Seamen?
      • Offshore/Oil Rig Accidents
    • Jones Act
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Employment Attorney
    • Labor Relations
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Blog
  • About
    • Contact us
  • Location
    • Biloxi, MS
    • Gulfport, MS
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Motorcycle Accident
    • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Aviation Accident
    • Neck Injuries
    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • More Cases >
      • Brain Injuries
      • Back Injuries
      • Spinal Cord Injuries
      • Amputation, Disfigurement, Paralysis
      • Chemical Exposure and Industrial Accident Attorneys
      • Electrocutions, Burns and Explosions
      • Car Accident
      • Truck Accident
      • Boating Accident
      • Dangerous Defective Products
  • Other Cases
    • Social Security Disability
    • Premises Liability
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Maritime Injury >
      • What Does the Jones Act Mean for Injured Seamen?
      • Offshore/Oil Rig Accidents
    • Jones Act
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Employment Attorney
    • Labor Relations
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Blog
  • About
    • Contact us
  • Location
    • Biloxi, MS
    • Gulfport, MS

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident?
​​

After being injured in an accident, the most important question you need to ask is, "Do I need a personal injury lawyer?" Many people don't know what personal injury attorneys do and assume that they can't afford one. However, the truth is that hiring an attorney for your personal injury case can actually save you money in the long run.
In this article, we will explain what personal injury lawyers do, the benefits of hiring one and how to find the best lawyer for your needs. If you have been injured in an accident, it's always best to consult with an attorney to see if you have a case.

What do personal injury lawyers do?

Personal injury lawyers are attorneys who specialize in cases involving injuries to the body or mind. These types of cases can include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, defective products and more. If you've been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to investigate your case, gather evidence and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If you do not have a personal injury lawyer, the insurance company may try to low-ball you on your settlement or deny your claim altogether.

What are the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer?

There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer. Perhaps the most important benefit is that an attorney will be able to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers who work to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out on claims.
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Another benefit of hiring a personal injury lawyer is that they will handle all the paperwork and phone calls for you. After an accident, you probably have enough on your plate without having to deal with the insurance company.
A personal injury lawyer will take care of everything for you so that you can focus on your recovery.

How do I find the best personal injury lawyer for my needs?

There are a few things you should look for when finding the best personal injury lawyer to handle your case.
  • Make sure that the attorney specializes in personal injury law. There are many different types of lawyers out there, but not all of them have experience handling personal injury cases.
  • Look for an attorney who has experience handling cases similar to yours. If you were in a car accident, find a lawyer who has experience with car accident cases.
  • Make sure the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state. You do not want to hire a lawyer who is not licensed to practice law in the state where your accident occurred. Finally, you should look for an attorney who offers a free consultation. This will allow you to meet with the lawyer and get more information about their services before deciding whether or not to hire them.

When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

You should hire an attorney for personal injury as soon as possible. After an accident, you do not want to wait too long to hire a lawyer. There are many deadlines that must be met in order to file a personal injury claim, and if you miss one of these deadlines, you may lose your right to sues.
Additionally, the sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can begin working on your case. If you wait too long to hire an attorney, important evidence may be lost or witnesses may forget what happened.
You should also consider the statute of limitations. This is the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within this timeframe, you will not be able to sue for your injuries.
The statute of limitations varies from state to state, so it's important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What should I look for in a personal injury attorney?

When looking for a personal injury attorney, you should consider the following:
  • The attorney's experience. Make sure they have experience handling cases similar to yours.
  • The attorney's reputation. Ask around and see what other people think of the lawyer.
  • How much the attorney charges. Some lawyers charge by the hour while others work on a contingency basis. Make sure you know how much you will be expected to pay before hiring an attorney.
  • An attorney who is a good communicator. You should be able to communicate with your lawyer easily. An attorney who is responsive to your needs. Your lawyer should return your phone calls and emails in a timely manner.
  • You should also make sure that you feel comfortable with the attorney. You will be working with this person for a while, so it's important that you feel like you can trust them.
  • The attorney's success rate. Make sure the lawyer has a good track record of winning personal injury cases.
  • Whether or not the attorney offers a free consultation. This will allow you to meet with the lawyer and get more information about their services before deciding whether or not to hire them.
  • The geographic location of the lawyer's office. You may want to hire a lawyer who is located near you so that it's easy to meet with them in person.
  • Make sure the lawyer you are considering is licensed to practice law in your state. You can do this by contacting your state's bar association.
  • Ask the lawyer for references from past clients. These references can give you an idea of what it is like to work with the lawyer and whether or not they were able to get their clients the compensation they deserved.

What are the pros and cons of hiring a lawyer for personal injury?

There are a few pros and cons to consider before hiring a personal injury lawyer.
One of the pros is that an attorney can handle all the paperwork and negotiations for you. This can be beneficial if you're not sure how to navigate the legal system or if you do not have the time to do this yourself.
Another pro is that a lawyer can help you determine how much your case is worth. An attorney will have experience dealing with insurance companies and will know how to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
One of the cons of hiring a personal injury lawyer is that you will have to pay the attorney's fees. These fees can be expensive, and they may be a percentage of the settlement you receive.
Another con is that it may take longer to settle your case if you have an attorney. This is because your case will have to go through the lawyer's office and may take longer to get to court.

Can you file a personal injury claim without a lawyer?

You can file a personal injury claim without a lawyer, but it is not recommended. This is because insurance companies are likely to take advantage of you if you do not have an attorney.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to deal with the insurance companies and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer will also be able to help you if your case goes to trial.
If you do not have a lawyer, you will be at a disadvantage when dealing with the legal system.
When don't you need a personal injury attorney?
There are a few instances when you may not need a personal injury attorney.
  • The accident was minor and you only suffered minor injuries.
  • If the other party involved in the accident has admitted fault and there is no dispute over who is at fault.
  • If the other party has insurance and is willing to pay for your damages.
  • If you do not have a lot of assets, so there is not much the other party could take from you if they were to sue.
  • If you do not want to go through the hassle of dealing with a lawyer.

Deciding to hire a lawyer for personal injury is important

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a big decision. However, if you've been injured in an accident that was not your fault, it's important to consider all of your options. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries and take care of all the paperwork and phone calls for you.
The experienced team at Wetzel Law Firm has helped many people who have been injured in accidents. We offer a free consultation so that you can get all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not to hire us. Contact us today. We'll help you understand your rights and options and fight for the compensation you deserve. ​
Wetzel Law Firm logo
©2025 Wetzel Law Firm
Privacy Policy
James K. Wetzel is licensed in Mississippi. Garner J. Wetzel is licensed in Mississippi and Louisiana.
​Free background information available upon request.
​Wetzel Law Firm on the Internet
Wetzel Law Firm
1701 24th Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 864-6400
​
​[email protected]

1084 Judge Sekul Avenue
Suite D
Biloxi, MS 39530

(228) 273-4883
​
​[email protected]