Car Accident Claims: Do I Need My Own Lawyer?
A car accident is serious business. If you suffered property damages or injuries, you will need to make a claim for compensation. The insurance claims process is not always easy to maneuver without legal experience. If the claim is not settled with an insurance company, you face the prospect of filing a car accident lawsuit. The laws and court proceedings associated with these types of lawsuits are complicated.
You likely have many questions when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. If one of these questions is whether you should hire an attorney to represent you in your case, read on to find out the benefits a personal injury attorney could bring to your claim.
Maximizing Compensation
A common misconception is that retaining a DC personal injury lawyer in a car accident case lowers the total amount of money you receive in the case. A personal injury attorney does usually charge a contingency fee when it comes to a car accident case, meaning that the lawyer is paid a percentage of the settlement or judgment received in your case. However, you may take home more in your pocket if you hire an attorney to represent you.
Retaining an attorney nearly always increases the amount of money a person receives in a personal injury settlement. Although you end up paying attorney fees, you may receive a higher offer when your attorney negotiates a settlement on your behalf. An experienced attorney knows how to value a claim, and how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the most compensation possible.
Avoiding Mistakes
Because of the complexity of negligence law, and associated insurance claim processes and court proceedings, mistakes are remarkably easy to make. Indeed, there are some mistakes that are so serious they can result in the end of your case.
The statute of limitations represents a law that must be followed in your case, or your case will go nowhere. All states have a statute of limitations. This is a law that establishes a specific time frame during which a car accident lawsuit must be filed. The failure to file a lawsuit within that time frame results in you forever being precluded from pursuing a lawsuit to obtain compensation for damages and injuries.
Retaining an attorney may be key to protecting you from avoiding mistakes. This includes avoiding serious mistakes that can cause the permanent ending to your pursuit for just and necessary compensation.
Claims Against You
Even if you have been injured in a car accident, someone else may be able to bring a claim against. You could be sued, even as an injured person. Avoiding becoming the subject of a lawsuit, or a countersuit, in a car accident case represents another reason why you should consider hiring a lawyer. If you end up being sued, a lawyer may be the best way to ensure that your rights and interests are properly defended.
Negotiating a Settlement
A skilled, experienced attorney is in the best position to negotiate a settlement of your case. A reality of the U.S. judicial system is that the vast majority of accident cases are settled through negotiation and never go to trial. For this reason, your own rights and interests are best protected when the negotiation process is undertaken by a skilled lawyer.
When it comes to retaining a car accident attorney, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer. As a general rule, a car accident lawyer does not charge a fee for an initial consultation.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Cohen & Cohen, P.C.Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their insight into auto accident cases.