The Advantages of Having an Attorney Represent You in Injury Settlement Negotiations
When it comes to resolving a vehicle accident claim without utilizing insurance, there are dangers and problems. There are risks and hazards to handling an accident claim (or automobile accident lawsuit) on your own, even after engaging the at-fault driver's insurance carrier.
To begin, let's look at the most typical reason people try to handle their claims on their own: financial worries. Because you're probably going to have a lot of medical expenses as a result of your car accident injuries, it may seem logical to save money by not hiring a lawyer and doing it yourself. However, in many situations, the reverse is true. Despite what you might think, hiring a lawyer is likely to save you money in the long run. This is because a skilled lawyer may frequently increase the value of your claim.
A qualified personal injury attorney can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs by negotiating a far higher settlement offer than you could have received on your own without the help of a private legal firm. While having a larger settlement value for your claim is unquestionably beneficial, it isn't the only benefit of engaging a car accident attorney. An attorney also provides a number of additional benefits.
It is possible to utilize experience to prove a point. You must be able to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident in order to be eligible for compensation, which can be challenging in multi-vehicle crashes. To assess culpability for injuries, physical evidence, medical records, police reports, traffic regulations, and insurance laws are all used. You can trust your lawyer to sift through dense legal jargon that is difficult for most laypeople to comprehend and use effectively.
Injury expertise is extensive. Because they don't understand how much their injuries are worth or don't anticipate the entire extent of their future costs and losses, car accident victims frequently accept inadequate settlements. An experienced attorney will have handled several cases involving injuries similar to yours and will know what is — and is not — a reasonable and acceptable amount to pay you for your present and future losses. Below are some instances of verdicts and settlements related to various types of injuries.
What is typical compensation for a brain injury in a car accident? $10,000-$20,000,000+
What is typical compensation for a neck injury in a car accident? $15,000-$2,750,000
What is typical compensation for a hand or foot injury in a car accident? $10,000-$2,500,000
What is typical compensation for a spinal cord injury in a car accident? $500,000-$12,000,000
There's also a financial advantage: Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not be charged legal costs until your attorney is successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf. There are no upfront payments to be concerned about.
To undervalue claims and mislead stressed, worried accident victims into accepting agreements that do not truly benefit them, the insurance business utilizes a number of tactics, some of which skirt or fully violate legal bounds (known as bad faith insurance). The claims adjuster is aware of your concerns about medical bills, and regrettably, he or she will most likely try to capitalize on them by offering you a cheap car accident settlement in the hopes that you would take it out of desperation.
A skilled attorney will protect you from being taken advantage of. Your car accident attorney has years or decades of experience, so he or she understands just which facts to stress — and, more importantly, how to back them up with persuasive evidence — to maximize the value of your claim. The size and location of any scars that result from the accident, the extent to which the disability limits your future earning capability, and even the quality of medical care you receive all go into determining the value of your claim.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills by negotiating a far greater settlement offer than you could have gotten on your own without the assistance of a private legal company. While having a higher settlement value for your claim is undoubtedly a plus, it isn't the sole advantage of hiring a car accident lawyer. An attorney also brings a few more advantages to the table, such as:
Better litigation preparation. Legal representation is required if you bring a lawsuit. The laws and procedures in civil courts are exceedingly strict and intricate. Your chances of succeeding against aggressive, skilled defense attorneys are little to none, especially given the short amount of time available to prepare.