3 Reasons You Should Hire An Attorney After Suffering An Injury In An Auto Accident
If you've been in a car accident recently, hiring an attorney may be the last thing on your mind. You're probably still reeling from the accident itself, trying to recuperate from any physical injuries you may have suffered and working out how you can get back on the road as soon as possible. But there are several big advantages to retaining the legal services of an attorney who specializes in personal injury or automobile accidents. Keep reading to discover three of these advantages, and how they can help you get your life back on track after a serious accident.
Experience with Insurance Companies
Personal injury lawyers have to deal with insurance companies on a regular basis on behalf of their clients, and as such, they're very experienced in a couple of keys areas. Firstly, they know what settlement you can likely expect. Secondly, they know how to negotiate with the insurance company to reach this settlement. If you try to negotiate with the insurance companies on your own, you will more likely than not end up with a settlement far less than what you could have realistically obtained with the help of an attorney. If you think that you can't afford a lawyer after a car accident, think again -- it may be the case that you can't afford to lose a huge settlement that an attorney could have worked to get.
Experience with Injuries
It might sound obvious, but having a lawyer who has repeatedly seen the same types of injuries in their clients is an invaluable tool. After an accident, your lawyer can often recommend doctors who specialize in treating your specific injuries, and tell you to consult with your doctor about available tests and treatment in the future. All of this directly impacts the kind of settlement you can receive, and as you may be ignorant about long-term effects of recent injuries, it's best to hire someone who can advise you about them and plan for it in your negotiated settlement.
Experience Going to Trial
If a settlement proves impossible to reach, then going to trial may be your only option, and choosing to go to trial without a lawyer is extremely risky. If you do not follow and fulfill all of the court's procedures and technical requirements during the trial - including filling out all of the necessary paperwork - your case can be dismissed. To avoid losing on a technicality, hire an expert (such as one from the Law Offices of Burton J. Hass) that has experience going to trial and working within the court system.