Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident?
A car accident is bad enough, and the aftermath can be even worse. After a collision, when you are injured and stressed, you then have to deal with insurance, the medical system, and financial disruption. What happens next? Is it worth getting an attorney for your car accident? When your case is complicated, you may benefit from having an auto accident lawyer on your side, especially since they don’t charge high hourly fees.
Making the Right Decision After a Car Accident
Hiring a lawyer can be an intimidating and anxiety-riddled experience, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many reasons to get a lawyer after a car accident, although it’s not a requirement, and it is possible to settle your insurance claim without a lawyer. Ultimately, the decision is 100% yours. When cases are complex or confusing, involve severe or lasting injuries, or you’ve hit a wall negotiating, it’s time to consider hiring an attorney.
The good news is you can hire an attorney at any point during the settlement process. Still, many cases benefit from retaining the help of a legal professional sooner.
Evaluating Your Case’s Complexity
The specifics of your case must be considered if you’re considering hiring an attorney:
- Severe and/or permanent injuries
- Multiple injured parties
- Involvement of a commercial or government vehicle
- Fatalities
- Disputed fault
- Severe emotional trauma
- Construction zone
- Medical costs that exceed policy limits
- Unreasonable insurance
- When DIY-settlement negotiation might not be enough
Any of these factors make it worth hiring an attorney after a car accident. When legal matters get complicated, having someone who knows the law and how to negotiate with insurance companies from years of experience can be invaluable.
If your case involves severe injury, more compensation is needed to cover medical bills, lifestyle and work impact, and mental stress due to the car accident. If there are fatalities, the evidence must be handled carefully. A good car accident lawyer will know how to address these particular situations and can make the experience much less stressful for you and your family.
The Benefits of Legal Representation
Navigating all the legalities of a car accident claim can be frustrating and can leave you wondering what to do next. When you have the help of a good car accident lawyer, you can rest easily, knowing your case has been taken care of and that it will allow you to recover and rest.
Higher Settlements
A lawyer can use their skills and experience to leverage the circumstances of the claim and the evidence to get more compensation for your settlement. This is especially true when the case is complex, or the dollar amounts are large.
Legal Knowledge and Experience
A car accident attorney has in-depth knowledge and experience in the intricacies of filing personal injury claims. They understand the tactics insurance companies use to reduce settlements and the actions required to ensure you receive optimum compensation.
Investigative Abilities
A lawyer has a team to help investigate your claim and the circumstances surrounding the accident. They can obtain police reports, recreate the accident scene, speak to witnesses, and this will help increase your compensation.
Accurate Calculation of Damages
Copious damages indicate you should hire a lawyer after a car accident. They can determine the proper amount for non-economic damages, gather evidence of monetary damages, and calculate your settlement accurately without fear of missing something.
No Deadline Worries
A lawyer on your side means you won’t have to worry about missing a court or insurance deadline related to your case. The law firm will ensure no late filings or other time-sensitive matters that delay or otherwise affect the claim.
Resources
Car accident lawyers have resources they’ve carefully cultivated. They have expert witnesses, medical professionals, and accident investigators who can help build the case in your favor.
Ability to Negotiate A Bigger Settlement
A lawyer’s job is to argue on your behalf, so it’s no surprise they know how to negotiate with an insurance company. They also have the tenacity to take your case to trial.
Lawyers also handle communicating with insurance, saving you time and helping you recover without the stress of filing the claim yourself. And if you’re wondering if it is worth hiring a lawyer after a car accident financially, you might be surprised.
Is the Cost of an Attorney Worth the Benefits?
The cost of hiring a lawyer can seem scary. The reality is that hiring a lawyer for a car accident won’t cost anything upfront. Personal injury attorneys who handle car accidents often use contingency agreements to help potential clients afford their services even when they’re financially struggling.
Get The Car Accident Injury Compensation You Deserve!
Contingency Payment Arrangements
Almost any car accident lawyer accepts a contingency agreement for payment. You sign a contract where no money is exchanged up front, and instead, you and the lawyer draw up a contract specifying a percentage of your settlement as the payment to the lawyer.
The percentage you agree to pay can be steep, generally 30 to 45 percent of the settlement, depending on your claim’s complexity. This is a substantial portion of a settlement, so you need to consider this amount carefully.
Does a Contingency Always Benefit You?
Let’s say your settlement is worth $50,000 for your accident. You have already agreed to pay your attorney 33 percent, meaning that $15,000 of your settlement is gone right from the start.
Suppose you have a minor claim or can fully handle the situation alone. In that case, you may be unable to get enough to compensate you adequately for all damages. Contingencies work best when you have a complicated case and the possibility of getting a larger car accident settlement.
In those instances, the larger settlement amounts often negate the attorney fees, and in other situations, you’ll end up pocketing more money. For example, if the insurance company was offering you $50,000 and not budging, but you hire a lawyer to negotiate on your behalf, they could get you an $80,000 settlement. Even after the standard 33% contingency fee ($24,000), you’ll still end up $6,000 richer. Plus, you’ve saved all the time and effort of handling the claim yourself.
Finding the Right Attorney for Your Case
What lawyer is “right” will vary depending on the circumstances of your accident and, most importantly, whether or not you and the attorney communicate well and get along. You want to be confident in your choice and like the person you hire to represent you.
What to Look For When You Choose a Lawyer
There are several characteristics you want the lawyer you hire to have:
- At least five years of personal injury experience
- A high percentage of positive results for clients
- A good reputation with other lawyers, judges, and police
- Interest in what you have to say
- Evidence of positive negotiation outcomes
- Ability to determine compensation accurately
- Investigative experience
- Exemplary understanding of how the law applies in car accident settlements
- Ability to answer all questions thoroughly
Additionally, you can consult with different lawyers until you find the one you feel comfortable handling your case. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, during which you can meet, discuss your case, and see if they are a fit for you. Since car accident lawyers are paid on contingency, they also want to examine the facts of the accident to determine if it’s worth their time to take your case.
Making the Informed Choice
When you think you might need a lawyer to help you with a car accident claim, you need to make decisions that are well-researched and well-informed. If you have a complex case, hiring an attorney is an important step for getting a better settlement. When there are severe injuries or other confusing factors, a lawyer will provide you with knowledge and experience.
When you are realistic in your evaluation of your car accident claim and can make an informed choice about your need for an attorney, your claim will benefit. Always take the time to determine if hiring an attorney for a car accident is worth it and make the right choice for you. Being thorough in your reasoning provides the confidence to move forward after a car accident disrupts your life.