The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Getting into a car accident can be incredibly scary, and for many victims, the stress doesn’t stop as soon as the cars involved come to rest. There are immediate injuries, property damage, and often lasting trauma to deal with, all while simultaneously trying to manage insurance claims. Hiring an attorney after a motor vehicle accident won’t immediately alleviate all of that pain and stress, but it can confer a number of benefits on accident victims.
An In-Depth Understanding of Personal Injury Law
One of the great things about hiring an accident attorney is that they will know all about the laws related to handling the aftermath of the crash. Attorneys can help clients with collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, understanding case precedents, and getting to know the legal workings of the entire claim-filing process. All of this comes naturally to a practiced attorney, whereas the average car accident victim would need to devote many hours, days, or even weeks or months to understanding the ins and outs of the system.
A St. Petersburg car accident attorney or similar attorney in your area can help navigate the complex process of personal injury and maximize the compensation you’ll receive.
Help With Determining Legal Liability
Car accident cases aren’t always straightforward. Sometimes, one car hits another one due exclusively to the driver’s negligence and it’s obvious who to hold liable. More often than not, though, there are extenuating circumstances such as mechanical failures, road conditions, or other issues that complicate the case. A car accident attorney will be able to identify all potentially liable parties to maximize the client’s compensation.
Ability to Properly Analyze Damages
The average car accident victim doesn’t usually realize the full extent of the rights they have and the compensation they are entitled to receive. Attorneys can help clients identify damages that could apply to the case, including not just obvious ones like reparations for medical bills and property damage but also compensation for lost wages, disability, disfigurement, pain, and suffering. Because most people underestimate the level of damages incurred during car accidents, hiring an attorney is the best way to quantify the true costs of the accident and get fair compensation.
Potential to Negotiate Higher Settlements
Insurance companies are notorious for offering outrageously low initial deals to accident victims or even denying valid claims entirely. Working with a lawyer means that accident victims will have someone on their team to negotiate with insurance companies for higher settlements. Should the insurance company refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, an attorney can also provide courtroom representation.
Save Money in the Long Run
Some people are afraid to hire an attorney following a car crash because they think it will cost them too much money to be worthwhile. In reality, hiring a personal injury attorney usually saves people money in the long run. These attorneys usually charge fair fees and often work on contingency, meaning that they don’t get paid unless the client is compensated for their injuries. Accident victims are much more likely to obtain fair settlements with the help of attorneys, whereas refusing to seek legal help could lead to significant financial losses.
When to Seek a Lawyer
Right after a car accident, the top priority should always be to seek immediate medical care. Once an accident victim is stabilized, though, it’s time to start looking into lawyers. The best time to hire a car accident attorney is as soon as possible after the crash, so don’t put it off.
