A person who has been injured often faces a difficult choice: Should I hire a lawyer, or handle it myself? Although you might expect a lawyer to tell you that you should always hire an attorney, the answer is that it is not always necessary.

In the case of a car accident, if the collision was a small one, you probably do not need a car wreck lawyer. For example, if the only damage was to the car, a fair settlement would cover the cost of repairs plus any other damages attributable to your car being out of commission, such as the cost of a rental car. You know what these damages are, and you probably do not need a lawyer to recover them.

However, if you have been injured, you should seriously consider talking to a lawyer. It is important to remember that the insurance company does not work for you and is not your "friend." To repeat: The insurance company is not your friend--in fact, it has a financial interest in getting you to accept as little money as possible. Therefore, the insurer's first offer is probably not its best offer, no matter what it says.

If you are unsure whether you have received a fair offer, or if you are sure that you have not, it is time to consider hiring a lawyer. A lawyer can help you evaluate offers, and, even though the lawyer does not work for free, he or she can often help you increase the offer enough that you will still end up putting more in your pocket than otherwise. Finally, if the insurer will not deal with you fairly, a lawyer can help you file and win a lawsuit.

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