6 Important Reasons To Hire an Attorney After a Car Crash
Every year, more than three million people get injured in car accidents in the United States. That’s three million insurance claims that get filed in the hopes of getting a fair settlement for the cost of repairs and medical treatments.
Though it’s possible to handle the claims process on your own after a car crash, you don’t have to.
In fact, hiring an experienced car accident attorney is almost always in your best interest. They can make the process easier and less stressful no matter how minor or severe the accident is.
If you’re on the fence and aren’t sure if you need to hire a lawyer after a car crash, here are a few key reasons that will convince you otherwise.
1. You Might Not Know How Bad Things Are at First
The biggest concern you’ll have after a car accident is recovering as quickly as you can. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get back to life as normal. That’s why getting medical treatment as soon after the accident as possible is always in your best interest.
However, the injuries you get diagnosed with at first may not be all you have to worry about.
Believe it or not, it can take time for you to notice your injuries or understand how severe they really are. This makes it hard for you to guarantee that the insurance companies award you the settlement you truly deserve.
When you hire an attorney after a car crash, they’ll communicate with you to see exactly what’s going on. If your injuries are more severe later on or the repairs your car needs are more expensive than initially estimated, they’ll advocate on your behalf.
2. Insurance Companies Don’t Want to Pay
Insurance companies are in business to protect your financial interests, but they’re also in business to make money. When they have to pay out settlements, especially large ones, it hurts their bottom line.
That’s why it’s normal for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to stall or to refuse to pay a settlement in the first place.
Once this happens, you’ll need to hire an experienced attorney to represent your case. Your attorney works for you, not the insurance provider.
Even better, a truly reputable car accident attorney will only get paid if they win your case. This means they have even more reason to fight on your behalf and make sure insurance companies pay you what you’re owed.
3. Mistakes Can Happen During the Claims Process
Unfortunately, mistakes can happen at any point during the claims process. You may end up needing guidance to help get your claim back on track.
Your insurance agent can only do so much and they’re only able to administer insurance-related advice. If it comes down to a question of who is at fault in the accident or the other driver trying to downplay the accident in an attempt to reduce their insurance payout, they won’t be able to help.
Only an experienced attorney will be able to help you correct those mistakes or, when possible, prevent them in the first place.
4. Attorneys Can Prove Liability
Experienced attorneys know the law better than any insurance company. This means they’re better prepared to help you prove that the other driver is responsible for the accident.
They’ll look at the police report, witness statements, and any other information you can provide to get a clear picture of what happened. If the other driver is truly at-fault for the accident, they’ll do what they can to make sure the insurance company processes your claim correctly.
If that means going to court to fight for your settlement, they’ll do so happily.
5. Legal Counsel May Increase Your Settlement
Just as insurance companies don’t want to pay settlements in the first place, they’re also likely to offer a settlement amount that’s too small. Remember, it’s in their best interest to pay as little as they can for every car accident that happens.
This means they’ll do everything they can to dismiss the severity of your injuries.
When you hire an attorney, they’ll help hold insurance companies accountable. Remember, they understand the law and are better prepared to explain why you’re entitled to a larger settlement.
Even better, it shows the insurance company that you mean business. If you already have an attorney you’re working with, they’ll be more willing to settle your claim without going to court. Remember, going to court costs them more money and it’s money they don’t want to spend unless they have to.
6. They’ll Represent You in Court
Some insurance companies just keep fighting your claim. When this happens, you’ll need to take them to court to get the money you deserve.
While it’s possible to represent yourself in court, doing so isn’t the best option.
Think of it this way: insurance providers have legal experts on staff that they routinely work with to fight claims. They’ll be using attorneys to represent their interests.
You deserve to be able to do the same. With an experienced attorney, you won’t have to worry about accidentally saying something that makes the other driver’s liability less clear.
Hiring an Attorney After a Car Crash Is Best
If you’ve gotten injured in a car crash and are just starting with the insurance claims process, don’t handle things on your own. Speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you can.
They’ll review your case and help you decide the best course of action to help you get the most money possible. Just make sure to look for an attorney you can trust.
If you have to schedule consultations with several legal professionals before you can find the right person for your case, that’s okay. It’s better to take your time and work with someone you’re comfortable with than it is to choose the first attorney you find.
Looking for more helpful tips to make dealing with insurance claims easier? Check out our latest posts.