In most car accident injury cases, it is important to work with a lawyer. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you to determine what steps you need to take in order to receive just monetary compensation for your damages.
Otherwise, an insurance company may take advantage of you by querying your involvement in causing the accident or offering a low settlement.
When do you need a lawyer?
You are not required to hire a lawyer if you want to file and pursue a personal injury claim. If the injuries are minor and the case is straightforward, you may decide to complete the process on your own. Joe Stephens Law in Houston offers advice on how to settle a personal injury lawsuit without a lawyer.
If you are facing expenses that can compound over years due to serious injuries or permanent disability, it is in your interest to work with a lawyer. This is particularly true if there is any disagreement over which driver was at fault.
A lawyer will be able to negotiate on your behalf, guide you through all the steps of your claim and secure an appropriate settlement amount. Personal injury lawyers understand the nuances of personal injury claims and have experience representing injured victims.
They can demonstrate an accident wasn’t your fault
A personal injury lawyer can help demonstrate that a car accident was not your fault. In Texas, car accident victims are able to recover compensation for damages as long as their fault in an accident was 50% or less. The total amount they can recover depends on how much they were to blame.
Even if you are convinced you are not at fault, the other party can allege that it was your fault and you could lose out on the compensation money you deserve. Insurance companies may try to blame you for an accident, even if you haven’t done anything wrong.
A lawyer may be able to back up your claim by calling expert witnesses. A digital reconstruction of the accident or a biomechanical engineer’s report about the cause of injuries could help you to win your case.
You don’t have to accept a low settlement amount
Even if there is no dispute over fault, insurance providers are likely to offer the lowest amount they believe you will accept. They handle thousands of cases and their experience can give them a great advantage over you, especially as you probably have no idea how much you’re entitled to receive.
A lawyer can review any offers you receive and negotiate to reach an agreement that offers you better compensation.
The cost of hiring a lawyer who works as an effective advocate on your behalf may be negligible in comparison with the sum of money you receive as a result of the claim process, even after paying the legal fees.
You can focus on your recovery
Another reason to hire a lawyer is that you can focus on your recovery as the lawyer handles all the legal aspects for you. You are likely to have to follow a certain regime so that your injuries can heal properly. While you are doing so, your lawyer will gather evidence to support your claim, such as by interviewing witnesses.
Making sure no deadlines are missed and negotiating with the other party will be out of your hands. For instance, insurance companies may purposefully string you along until the statute of limitations has expired and lawyers do not delay to file suit if an insurance company is dragging its feet.