You have just been involved in a traffic accident caused by another motorist. Amidst the pain and stress of treatment and paying bills, you must file a claim.
You may be asking yourself, “is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident?” The answer is most likely, yes. Hiring a car accident attorney is beneficial, especially if you were hurt in a crash. But the specific details count.
There are occasions in which hiring an attorney is helpful, and other times when doing it alone would put you at a significant disadvantage.
This post will discuss the importance of hiring a car accident lawyer and the circumstances under which you should get legal representation.
What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do for You?
After an accident, insurance firms will have a whole team of adjusters to dispute your injury claim. These insurance adjusters are efficient at analyzing a claim and seeking opportunities to pay the least amount.
Even if they seem to be acting in your best interests, they will always strive to protect the insurance company’s profits, even if it means giving you the minimum compensation.
Having a car accident attorney on your side can help you level the playing field. A lawyer will start an investigation immediately and collect evidence of the accident and the resulting damages. This includes:
- Obtaining the car accident’s police report
- investigating the scene of the accident
- communicating with eyewitnesses
- estimating your total damages
- managing any correspondence with third parties on your behalf
Your attorney will intervene if the insurance company attempts to persuade you to accept a settlement far below what you are entitled to. Your lawyer can also help negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get you reasonable compensation.
Big insurance companies are armed with the resources and experience needed to handle claims made against them. More often than not, it is not recommended to face them without legal counsel.
Without a skilled attorney, you will have difficulty understanding your legal options, what you are entitled to in terms of compensation for your damages, and your complete range of legal rights.
Signs That Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Is Worth It
You have been involved in a car accident and suffered an injury or property damage. You sought medical treatment and are now in the process of filing a personal injury claim.
However, you are not fully decided on whether to engage a lawyer. You could ask, “is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident?
The answer to this question is yes. The skills and expertise of a car accident lawyer are helpful in several situations, and you should especially consider hiring one if:
· You don’t understand personal injury law
Most people know little about personal injury and auto accident law when they get involved in an auto accident.
The procedure for filing an insurance claim might also differ depending on where you reside. Knowing what to do or where to start may be difficult if you are unfamiliar with local laws.
In some states, like Georgia, the at-fault motorist is liable for covering the damages resulting from the accident they caused. So, if you are the victim of a car accident, you can rightfully file a claim for your injuries as provided in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-6.
But it is upon you to file the claim, provide evidence of the accident, prove the other driver was at fault, and that the other driver’s negligence caused your damages.
This is where lawyers come in. They have the knowledge and experience to handle legal claims. A lawyer will help you gather the evidence to prove your claim and negotiate the best settlement offer to cover your damages.
· You have numerous damages
After a car crash, you may be owed damages, including
- Medical costs
- Vehicle repairs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Motor vehicle accidents generally leave you with two main types of damages; special (economic) and general (non-economic) damages. Special damages are easy to calculate because they have a set dollar amount.
General damages, however, are hard to calculate without professional knowledge. If you have non-economic damages or have a lot of special damages, the best thing you can do is to work with a car accident lawyer. You may miss out on the compensation you deserve if you fail to hire one.
· Your claim is denied, or you get a lowball offer
Insurance companies frequently deny personal injury claims filed by car accident victims. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can increase your chances of being approved.
An attorney is vital if your claim is denied after filing or you get a low settlement offer. They understand the law and will know how to appeal a denial and fight for your rights.
· The insurance company won’t negotiate
In some circumstances, an insurance provider may refuse to negotiate with you. If this happens and you wish to pursue the case, you will need legal counsel to represent you in court.
Situations Where You Don’t Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident
It is not always necessary to hire a car accident attorney. If any of the following circumstances apply to you, you might not need the assistance of a car accident attorney.
· You did not suffer any injuries
You do not necessarily have to file a personal injury claim or seek the assistance of a lawyer if you suffered no injuries during your car accident. Even though it is rare to escape unscathed, it happens sometimes.
However, you may want to confirm that the accident did not harm you. Remember, some injuries take months to manifest. Visit a doctor to get examined even if you are not in pain after a car accident.
· The insurance company is offering a fair offer
You might not need to hire an auto accident lawyer if the insurance provider offers you a reasonable settlement sufficient to meet your costs. However, you will want to ensure that the amount you get will cover all your expenses.
Before proceeding, evaluate your damages thoroughly. You will probably need more money than expected if your costs are higher.
The best course of action is to arrange a meeting with a car accident attorney who can advise you on what’s fair. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so it will cost you nothing to speak with one.
· The case will foreseeably go to small claims court
There are other imaginable situations where the anticipated compensation would be negligible, that even if you pushed the case to litigation, it would end up in small claims court.
In small claims court, you are entitled to legal counsel to protect your rights. But since the estimated settlement would be so little, the law firm will probably ask for a fee rather than working on contingency. But it depends on the situation.
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, typically 33.3% of your settlement. To be compensated for their labor, they would get one-third of whatever compensation you received. If your potential recovery for a claim is so small, hiring a lawyer will not make sense.
How To Find a Good Car Accident Lawyer
Finding a skilled car accident attorney can be just as tricky as confronting the insurance firm. Regrettably, many unscrupulous and fraudulent law firms only care about how much money they can make from clients.
To avoid falling into the hands of rogue lawyers, consider the following qualities when searching for legal counsel:
- The law firm’s previous case outcomes
- The period the law firm has been in operation
- The reputation of the law firm, as shown in reviews and client testimonials
- Their responsiveness and commitment to your case
- Whether they provide a no-obligation consultation
When hiring, consider only those attorneys who accept contingency fees as payment. This is essential as it encourages you to seek legal representation and motivates your attorney to work tirelessly to succeed in your case.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today
If you were hurt in a car accident, Legal Giant is here to guide you through the claims process. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can answer any of your inquiries about hiring a car accident lawyer.
Call or contact us online to get started today.
