When people get behind the wheel of their car to drive to work or run errands, few are worried about being involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, a car accident can happen in an instant without warning, and the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful, especially when injuries are involved.
One of the best things a person can do after being injured in a car accident is hire an attorney. Here are some of the top reasons to hire an attorney after you are injured in a car accident.
Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic, and when injuries are involved, resting and recovering are the most important things that a person can do. The last thing most people want to do while recuperating from injuries is field phone calls from an insurance agency and inquiries from claim adjusters.
When you retain an experienced attorney, you will not have to worry about filing a claim by yourself, speaking to the insurance company, or having to submit any evidence pertaining to the claim. Your attorney will take care of all the paperwork and communication for you.
It is no secret that insurance companies are in business to make money. One of the ways that they ensure that the company makes a profit is by offering low-ball settlement amounts to those who file a car accident injury claim without being represented by an attorney. The majority of people don't have a lot of experience filing personal injury claims, so few actually know what their claim is really worth.
A lot of people mistakenly believe that an insurance company will be fair and have their best interest in mind — this is not the case. An experienced auto accident attorney will review the police report, witness statements, and medical records of the plaintiff to determine what his or her client is entitled to to ensure that the client gets a fair settlement.
Even when a person is absolutely sure that his or her actions while driving did not cause the auto accident, liability is not always easy to prove if one has not retained an auto accident attorney. An attorney is able to analyze all of the evidence available and build a case that shows that the other driver was at fault for a car accident that caused injuries.
In some cases, having an experienced attorney may make the difference between having a claim denied or receiving a settlement that covers all of the expenses that come with being injured in an auto accident.
One of the main reasons people do not immediately hire an attorney after being injured in a car accident is because they fear that they can't afford attorney fees. Luckily, most auto accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not have to pay a retainer or incur hourly fees for service.
Instead of paying out-of-pocket for the services of a car accident injury attorney, the attorney will receive a percentage of your settlement. On average, that percentage is around 33 percent, although it can be lower if a settlement is reached before a lawsuit is filed and slightly higher if your case goes to trial.
Some people may think that these percentages sound steep, but a study has found that those who have an attorney representing them in an auto accident injury case may receive a settlement that is three times higher than someone who tries to negotiate a settlement on their own. Thus, even with attorney's fees, having an attorney is much more likely to result in an overall larger net settlement.
If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact Carlson, Blau, & Clemens SC for a consultation to review your case.
