You can handle some personal injury cases on your own. Others require skilled and experienced legal representation. Below are some of the complex cases that require a personal injury lawyer.

Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim arises if a negligent act or omission leads to the death of a person. For example, you can file a wrongful death claim if your loved one dies after a DUI (driving under the influence) accident. A wrongful death claim is complicated since:

• The primary victim is deceased, and others must file the claim on their behalf
• The law limits those who can file a wrongful death claim
• You may need two lawsuits — a wrongful death claim for the deceased and survival actions for the deceased survivors
• The potential damages are high

An experienced lawyer will know how to navigate all these issues.

Multi-Car Accidents

Any accident that involves more than one car is complicated. Reasons include:

• Complicated liability determination
• The possibility of shared liability
• Possibility of counterclaims

You might struggle to handle the claim if you don't have the relevant experience

Product Liability Claims

A product liability claim arises if a defective product causes an injury. Here are some of the reasons you need a lawyer for a product liability claim:

• The possibility of multiple liable parties, such as the manufacturer, retailer, designer, and marketer, among others
• The difficulty of proving liability — you might need an expert witness
• The various laws that apply in product liability cases — strict liability, breach of warranty, and misrepresentation

Otherwise, you might instigate a claim only to find that you are relying on the wrong legal theories.

Medical Malpractice Claims

You have a medical malpractice claim if you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of medical malpractice. An example is if a surgeon has operated on the wrong part of your body. Medical malpractice claims are complex because:

• They must go through a review board first
• The potential damages are high
• They have a relatively short statute of limitations  
• They involve complex issues that the average person might not understand

Some lawyers specialize in personal injury claims. At the very least, look for a lawyer with experience in medical malpractice cases.

As you can see, some cases are too complex for you to handle on your own. In some cases, you might not even know that a case is complex before you consult an attorney. Thus, you should always consult an attorney before you file an injury case.

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