Documenting a crash scene and any visible injuries is essential in case of an accident. This holds especially true in minor incidents.
Legal professionals have the expertise needed to help you construct a strong case and pursue financial recovery from all involved parties. Here are several reasons why it may not be wise for you to handle your own personal injury or car accident claim yourself:
1. You’re an independent person in Phoenix, Arizona
Car accidents can be complex affairs, with injuries from those accidents often leading to costly medical bills and lost wages as well as other expenses. Trying to navigate this complex maze on your own is likely to become even more time consuming and costly; for this reason it is wise to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer as your advocate.
Hiring an attorney allows you to focus on recovery while leaving the complex legal aspects of the claim to someone else, saving both time and stress while making sure the insurance company pays you what’s owed for damages suffered.
Attorneys typically file no-fault applications with the other driver’s insurance company immediately following an accident, in order to prevent them from pressuring you into settling early and pressure you into signing settlement offers from other insurers before you are fully recovered. When receiving settlement offers from them it’s wise to consult an attorney immediately prior to signing anything; additionally keep all receipts, bills related to the accident as well as record your injuries so as to help with future medical costs.
An attorney can assess the damages you have experienced to ensure they are accurate, and that you receive all of the compensation that is owed to you from an insurance company. Damages might include ongoing treatment costs, lost wages, future medical bills and reduced quality of life – an experienced attorney knows how to accurately calculate these amounts and negotiate for fair settlement from them.
If the insurance company refuses to settle, you may have no other recourse but to file a lawsuit. Doing so involves engaging in a process called discovery which involves both parties turning over documents and evidence to one another. During this stage, lawyers for either side may attempt to prove you caused the accident which can reduce or eliminate damages altogether; an experienced attorney can counter this argument by showing they were negligent rather than at fault.
2. You’re not familiar with the legal system
Law can be complex, making it hard for the average individual to navigate his or her claim without legal guidance. An experienced attorney will be able to guide your claim from start to finish whether it involves dealing with insurance companies or seeking non-economic damages such as pain and suffering compensation.
An experienced legal professional knows what to look out for in your case and how to document the evidence. They will also be aware of various collision types and injuries sustained as a result, so that a strong claim can be filed on your behalf for losses such as medical bills, lost wages from time off work and potential future needs should you not return to work.
When dealing with an at-fault driver or their insurance company, an adjuster is likely to ask for a recorded statement about your accident and injuries. They might try to pressure you into admitting fault or downplaying their severity – this doesn’t have to happen and an attorney should instead be contacted asap.
Your attorney should also be prepared to take your case all the way to court if needed, which can be much more expensive and require expert witnesses for support of claims than no-fault or liability insurance claims.
3. You don’t have the time
Car accidents and personal injury claims can be time consuming to deal with, especially when injuries and property damage need healing. Filing an insurance claim or filing suit could take anywhere from months to years to complete – if this seems daunting to you, consider consulting a personal injury attorney instead.
Care should also be taken when posting anything about the accident or your recovery on social media until your case has been decided upon, since inaccurate posts could be used against you by insurance companies and opposing attorneys in court. Furthermore, over time the most crucial evidence in your case might become unavailable including witness testimony and physical/electronic proof.
This information was current as of January 2019, however for your own case it’s best to consult an attorney for guidance and advice.
There are many reasons why you might want to hire a personal injury lawyer. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- They have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the legal system. Personal injury law is a complex area of law, and it can be difficult to understand your rights and options without the help of an experienced lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with the laws in your state, and they will be able to help you file a claim and negotiate a settlement.
- They can help you gather evidence and build your case. After an accident, it is important to gather evidence as soon as possible. This includes medical records, police reports, and photographs of the accident scene. A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you gather this evidence and ensure that it is preserved.
- They can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. After an accident, the insurance company will likely contact you to offer a settlement. However, the insurance company’s offer may not be fair, and you may not be aware of all of your rights. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and get you the best possible settlement.
- They can represent you in court if necessary. If you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company, your case may go to court. A personal injury lawyer will be able to represent you in court and fight for your rights.
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights and options, and they can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Here are some additional reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer:
- They can help you deal with the stress of a personal injury claim. Dealing with a personal injury claim can be stressful, and a personal injury lawyer can help you manage that stress. They can take care of the legal details, so you can focus on your recovery.
- They can protect your rights. The insurance company may try to take advantage of you, but a personal injury lawyer will protect your rights and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
- They can help you get the best possible outcome. A personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights and get you the best possible outcome in your case. This could mean getting you a fair settlement or winning your case in court.
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you get the compensation you deserve and protect your rights.
4. You don’t have the money
Car accidents can be costly, costing drivers medical bills, lost wages due to missing work, emotional distress and property damages, not to mention additional expenditures such as hiring a personal injury lawyer or dealing directly with insurers on your own. Unfortunately, all this extra spending adds up quickly – sometimes more quickly than anticipated! Unfortunately, spending additional money hiring an attorney or fighting insurance companies alone might seem like the last thing on your list of priorities at that moment in time.
However, without a qualified attorney by your side, it’s likely you will pay more in the end. For instance, accepting an initial settlement offer from an insurer only to discover later that additional treatment is required or lack all documents and analysis needed (like expert witness analysis from an impartial doctor) you won’t recover what’s due.
Assuming your insurance company tries to maximize its profit, they may attempt to deny claims or force people into accepting low settlement offers. An experienced personal injury lawyer can fight hard for the maximum compensation you are owed and work on a contingency basis – meaning you only pay when and if they win!
Experienced personal injury attorneys understand the filing timelines for personal injury lawsuits and will make sure that any necessary deadlines don’t slip by, which could prevent damages being recovered in full.
At the end of the day, it’s essential to remember that no matter what an insurance agent says at the scene or even after your crash, you deserve fair and reasonable compensation for all damages suffered as a result of it. To gain a clear idea of the total costs and losses since your collision occurred, create a list of everything spent since – including car repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress. Furthermore, think ahead about future losses due to injuries; seek legal advice regarding possible ways compensation might apply in relation to impacting work or life enjoyment over time.
