When you suffer serious injuries due to a car accident, dog bite, defective product, or slipping and falling in a store, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not immediately hiring a personal injury attorney. By hesitating, you set the stage for insurance companies and lawyers for the defendant to claim you are not seriously injured. Should this happen, it becomes difficult to gain the compensation you need to pay for medical treatment, replace lost income, and ease the pain and suffering you are experiencing daily. If you wonder why it is so critical you hire an attorney as quickly as possible, here are some additional reasons.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
When you are injured in an accident, insurance companies will try many things to either pay nothing at all or as little as possible in compensation. Since they know you will likely be in immediate need of money, they often try to offer a quick settlement to accident victims. Unfortunately, the amount of money does not begin to cover your damages. In addition, upon accepting a settlement, you lose your chance to file a lawsuit and gain the compensation you deserve. Therefore, always hire an attorney who can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Protecting Your Rights
By immediately having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, you can make sure your legal rights are protected each step of the way. This will be crucial, since even the slightest mistake can be costly in these situations. For example, if you are involved in an accident and simply say “I’m sorry” to police, store management, or insurance representatives, chances are your words will be used against you by others who will claim you have taken responsibility for the accident. By having an attorney advising you as soon as possible, you can discuss your situation in greater detail and gain expert advice as to what you should or should not do or say while your case plays out.
By keeping these important tips in mind, our car accident attorneys can help you gain the compensation you need and deserve.