HOW A LAWYER CAN HELP YOU AFTER AN ACCIDENT

If you get in an accident, probably the most important decision you will make is whether to have a lawyer’s help in making your claim. Your decision is vital as it affects several things, including how much money you recover and whether your recovery includes compensation for all your problems – past and future – caused by the accident.

There are many reasons why you should have a lawyer’s help after an accident, and not make a claim alone. Here are some of the main ones:

• To get an honest evaluation of your claim. Your lawyer has experience with personal injury claims, and can tell you honestly if your claim is strong. In contrast, an insurance adjuster will likely say your claim is weak, even if it isn’t. Adjusters will do this because they work for the insurance company, not you. The less they pay you, the more money the insurance company makes.
• To get a true estimate of how much compensation you can recover. Accident victims can recover compensation for many things: medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Only your lawyer will tell you everything you can receive compensation for, and therefore, the true value of your claim.
• No legal fees if you don’t recover. Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingent fee, which means if you don’t win your case, you pay no legal fees. The fee is paid from the recovery. This gives your lawyer strong incentive to get you as large a recovery as possible.
• You will likely get more compensation. Studies – even those done by insurance companies – show that accident victims who use a lawyer receive more compensation that those who do not, even after deducting all costs.
• Avoid being misled by insurance companies. Insurance companies want an accident victim to make a claim alone, since they know they will likely be able to settle the claim for less compensation (or even none). Lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies, and know how they work. As a result, they will not be misled by tricks insurance companies use to lower accident payouts.

These are just some of the reasons why you should use a lawyer if you are in an accident. A lawyer will explain your rights, evaluate your case, represent you in dealing with insurance companies, and – most importantly – almost certainly get you a higher settlement.