Car accidents are among the most common causes of unintentional death and injury in the United States. Some traffic accidents cause property damage only or minor injuries. However, a collision can result in life-altering injuries for accident victims.
Car accident victims often face substantial medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. However, proving your claim can be complex. Consulting with a car accident attorney can significantly increase your chances of securing a fair settlement.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney?
Some car accident claims might not need the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. However, it isn't easy to know if you require representation without legal advice. Injury lawyers offer free consultations, so you can ask an attorney whether you need a lawyer for your car accident claim.
When considering whether to retain an attorney after a car accident, remember the following benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Benefit: Personal Injury Lawyers Take Care of the Legal Matters
Car accident claims can be complex personal injury cases. Numerous issues may arise that require an in-depth knowledge of the law. Issues that could come up in your car accident case include, but are not limited to:
Contributory Fault – For example, the insurance company says you are partially to blame for the crash. Contributory fault can sometimes bar you from receiving any money for your claim. In other cases, being partly at fault can significantly reduce your claim's value.
Statute of Limitations – You have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case.
Mitigate Damages – For example, the insurance company claims that your failure to seek prompt medical care or follow your doctor’s treatment plan increases your damages. Therefore, they argue you should not receive compensation for the damages you could have avoided with reasonable effort.
Disputed Liability – You must prove the elements of negligence to recover money in a personal injury claim. If the other party disputes the cause of the crash, you must have evidence proving causation.
A personal injury attorney will handle all aspects of your case. They’ll investigate the cause of the crash and gather evidence proving the legal elements required to recover compensation. Your lawyer will also protect you from bad faith insurance practices and other tactics insurance companies use to deny valid car accident claims.
Benefit: Personal Injury Lawyers Evaluate Damages
The insurance adjuster will not tell you if you do not demand compensation for all damages. Likewise, the insurance company won’t explain that its settlement offer is lower than the value of your losses.
Typically, an accident victim can receive reimbursement for the financial losses associated with the accident (economic damages). However, they can also receive compensation for non-economic damages or “pain and suffering” damages.
A personal injury attorney understands damages. They know how to calculate the value of damages, including the factors that increase the value of a claim. Your attorney also has access to expert witnesses who can provide additional evidence to support demands for future damages and higher amounts.
Attorneys also evaluate cases for punitive damages and loss of consortium. Unfortunately, most individuals are unaware these damages might be available.
After talking with a lawyer, most people are surprised to learn that their car accident claim is worth more money than they thought. It is always worthwhile to meet with an attorney to ensure you are not accepting a settlement offer far below your case's value.
Benefit: Personal Injury Attorneys Are Skilled Negotiators
Most injury claims settle through negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters are highly trained professionals who understand how to effectively manipulate an accident victim into believing the adjuster is on their side. Claims adjusters cannot do that with an attorney.
A personal injury lawyer is an aggressive advocate for your best interest. They know how to present the facts and evidence to strengthen the argument for full compensation of all damages. Experienced attorneys have spent years negotiating claims, so they know all the tricks and tactics insurance companies use to avoid liability.
Benefit: Personal Injury Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
In the long run, hiring an attorney after a car accident can save you money. Hiring a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis costs no money upfront. The attorney’s fees are paid when the lawyer recovers money for your claim.
Since a contingency fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, the lawyer has a strong incentive to obtain the best possible settlement for your case. In most cases, an attorney can recover more money for a car accident case than a person could recover without a lawyer’s help.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation To Learn More
Even if you do not hire a lawyer for a car accident case, meeting with an attorney for a free consultation is worth your time. You learn about your legal rights and how the attorney could help you with your case. You also gain valuable information to help you decide what is best for your situation.
Michael Hall III founded Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, dedicated to advocating for injured victims in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota. He has successfully secured millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. Contact us for a free consultation today.
