Car accidents are, unfortunately, an everyday occurrence across the country. Families who lose loved ones and injured victims of car accidents must often face a drastically different future in light of their injuries.
If you were recently in a motor vehicle collision that was someone else’s fault, you may be wondering if you should hire a lawyer for assistance with your case. This blog post describes how an attorney can help you resolve your car accident claim.
When Should You Get an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim?
After a car accident, injury victims may feel unsure about the next steps in the process. You are likely still recovering from your injuries as insurance company representatives and other parties are attempting to contact you regarding your injury, the accident, and your pending claim. There are several situations in which hiring a car accident attorney can benefit you in successfully navigating a car accident claim.
When You Are Injured
Car accident injuries are costly and can have many impacts on your life, from your physical health and your mental well-being to your finances. Even an injury that at first seems minor can end up turning your life upside down as you face a painful recovery, missed work, and medical treatments. Any moderate to severe injury after a car accident could be worth a significant amount of damages. A car accident attorney understands the damages you may be entitled to under the law and can provide you with a reasonable estimate of the money you can seek for your losses.
You may not yet have a clear picture of the extent of your injuries or the future impacts your injuries will have on your ability to work and enjoy your everyday life, or the future medical expenses that may arise due to your injuries. Still, the actions you take now can impact your ability to recover compensation for these damages in the future.
When the Insurance Company Offers a Low Settlement
Often, a car accident victim will make a good faith attempt to resolve a car accident claim on their own. However, insurance companies and other parties don’t always act in good faith in return. If you attempted to negotiate a settlement offer on your own but face unreasonable delays by the insurance company or low settlement offers that don’t account for your injuries and other damages, contact a car accident attorney.
Keep in mind that if you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company you will be asked to sign a release of liability. Once you have signed, you can’t seek additional compensation from the insurance company even if you discover your injuries or damages are more than you anticipated.
With an attorney advocating for your rights, you may be more likely to reach a successful resolution and receive reasonable compensation for the damages you have suffered. A car accident lawyer has the resources and experience to navigate the insurance injury claim process successfully and fight for your rights.
When Your Claim Is Denied
Insurance companies are in the business of making money and their representatives often do everything possible to offer unreasonably low settlements or outright deny a car accident claim. If the insurance company denied your claim, a car accident attorney can evaluate your claim and determine if you can appeal your claim.
After the Wrongful Death of a Loved One
The loss of a loved one in a car accident is a tragedy that leaves a family with feelings of anger and frustration. If your loved one lost their life because of someone else’s negligent actions, you may pursue compensation for your loss and expenses related to your loved one’s accident-related medical care, funeral expenses, and burial. A wrongful death action is a complex process, so discuss the specifics of your case with a car accident lawyer.
How Soon After a Car Accident Should You Contact an Attorney?
To preserve your legal rights, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Insurance companies usually reach out immediately after an accident to start gathering information about your claim. All communication with an insurance company or its representatives is an opportunity for them to twist your words to deny your claim or reduce the damages they offer you.
A car accident attorney can protect your interests from the start. With the help of an attorney, you can protect your rights throughout the process, and you can avoid unnecessary delays or difficulties in your case that could put your financial recovery in jeopardy.
