About three million people in the US are injured in the six million car accidents that occur each year. Around two million of these drivers sustain long-term injuries as well. Lost wages, medical bills, property damages, and other expenses can stack up as you heal.
The next time you’re in a car accident, don’t hesitate to hire an attorney. With their legal help, you can fight to maximize your car accident settlement. You won’t have to pay for your losses out of pocket.
On the fence? Read on to discover the top reasons you should hire a car accident attorney today.
If Fault Isn’t Clear
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In fatal crashes, at least one driver-related factor was recorded in 53% of passenger car and 33% of large truck drivers.
For passenger car drivers, the most common driver-related causes of fatalities included:
- Speeding (16.6%)
- Impairment (15.1%)
- Failure to yield the right-of-way (8.4%)
- Careless driving (6.6%)
- Distraction/inattention (6.3%)
In order to win your legal case, you’ll need to prove the other driver was at fault, and therefore caused the accident. You’ll also need to prove that their negligence led to your injuries or property damage. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to determine who was at fault.
For example, perhaps there wasn’t any footage of the accident. Maybe both drivers shared a portion of fault for the crash. If fault isn’t obvious in your case, don’t hesitate to hire a car accident attorney.
An experienced lawyer can gather the evidence necessary to prove the other driver’s negligence caused your accident. For example, they might have a crime scene investigator review the crash. They can also obtain security footage from neighboring buildings and will know how to find traffic accident reports.
Proving the other party’s negligence caused the accident can strengthen your legal case, potentially increasing your car accident settlement.
If Expenses Are Stacking Up
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The losses involved in a car crash case can quickly stack up.
In the US, about 4.4 million people are injured badly enough that they require medical attention. The economic and societal impact reaches $871 billion annually as a result. Car crashes cost over $380 million in medical expenses, too.
Meanwhile, you’ll also have to consider the cost of:
- Lost wages while you heal
- Future treatments, surgeries, and medications
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
If you were seriously injured in a car accident, hire a lawyer. Otherwise, you might struggle to calculate the full extent of your losses alone. If you don’t accurately calculate your losses, you could unintentionally leave money on the table.
Immediately after a car crash, keep track of your medical expenses. Gather your pay stubs and keep a record of your doctor’s appointments, too. Your lawyer will use this information to determine the full extent of your losses.
With their help, you won’t have to cover these losses out of your own pocket.
To Protect You
The other party involved in the crash might try to blame you for the accident. Hiring a lawyer immediately after an accident will ensure you protect your best interests.
For example, your lawyer can help prove you didn’t cause the accident, and therefore aren’t liable to cover the other party’s losses. They can protect you from cross- or counter-claims as well.
Having a lawyer at your side will give you peace of mind, regardless of the situation.
To Negotiate With Insurance Companies
One of the biggest mistakes you can make after a car crash is negotiating with insurance companies on your own. The insurance company will want to pay as little as possible before closing your claim. They might try to delay paying or look for ways to get your claim tossed out.
If you speak to the insurance company alone, they might also try to trick you into saying something that can make it sound like you were at fault.
Instead, have a car accident attorney handle these negotiations on your behalf.
Look for a lawyer with years of experience handling car accident claims. They’ll know how to speak to the insurance company. They won’t fold under the pressure of scare tactics, nor will they let the insurance company stall.
If you lack experience with car accident settlements, you might not recognize that the insurance company’s initial offer is a lowball offer. Remember, the insurance company will want to pay as little as possible. They’ll also expect that you’ll want to put the case behind you without taking it to court.
Don’t accept any offer you receive from the insurance company. Instead, talk to your local personal injury lawyer.
They’ll make sure you’re receiving the full amount of compensation you rightfully deserve based on your losses.
For Legal Advice
If you try to handle a car accident lawsuit alone, you could make costly mistakes. One small paperwork error could get the entire lawsuit tossed out. If the case goes to court, the judge might not take you seriously if you’re representing yourself.
Hiring a lawyer can help you avoid such costly mistakes. They can also help you recognize your legal options. Leveraging their experience and expertise with similar cases can help you make a more informed decision regarding your own case.
Otherwise, any mistakes you make could impact your car accident settlement.
State Your Case: Hire an Attorney After Your Next Accident
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Don’t hesitate to hire an attorney the next time you’re in a car accident. With their help, you can fight for compensation. You won’t have to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses out of your own pocket.
Instead, you’ll have peace of mind knowing an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer is fighting at your side.
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