Why you should always hire an attorney after a car accident.
The Information You Need To Know
By Joshua C. Smith
An automobile accident brings a lot of stress and problems that an experienced attorney can help you answer a lot of questions. For example, who is at fault, who pays for damage to my car, who will pay for my medical bills, how much should I get for pain and suffering, and can I ask the insurance company to reimburse me for lost wages. An experienced injury attorney can be extremely helpful in negotiating the often chaotic and confusing world of insurance claims and settlements.
Because most injury attorneys work on a contingent-fee basis, and only get paid if there is a successful resolution to your claim, there is often little incentive to try to handle these types of claims on your own because you literally have nothing to gain from handling the case yourself. Not only will it be extremely difficult and time consuming for you to handle it yourself, hiring a lawyer will almost always ensure a much better settlement.
“It is crucial that you seek quality legal assistance immediately to ensure you get the most compensation”
What you gain
Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you. A professional who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.
An attorney can advise you of any time limits which are called statutes of limitations. Statute of limitations can bar you from filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. For example, in Oklahoma, you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations that an attorney can determine if your case qualifies.
If necessary your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how to best counter defense attorneys strategy. Your attorney will then be invaluable in preparing your case for trial and then conducting your trial.
Even though a lawsuit is rarely necessary, the fact that you have an attorney that can effectively litigate your case offers a strong incentive negotiate a fair settlement.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, having an attorney who is knowledgeable about the law evens the playing field, especially when you are going up against the experience and vast resources of a large insurance company.
What you lose
If you opt to handle your own accident and injury claim, the insurance carrier will offer you a minimal amount of settlement money hoping you will take the money and run.
In fact, insurance carriers usually make such offers within days following the collision hoping to take advantage of you. At such time, you will not have any idea as to the extent of your injuries, future prognosis or the need for future medical treatment.
These propositions are known in the industry as “nuisance value offers.” In other words, the insurance carrier sees the claim as a mere nuisance. They view the unrepresented accident victim as one who they can bully because you alone can not fight back.
The carrier will take the position that you have no ability to do anything beyond demand money as the unrepresented party does not know how to litigate and will get chewed up by an experienced insurance defense lawyer.
In addition to being in pain, being in a serious accident can be very stressful as medical bills pile up and the loss of wages take their toll.
Not only will an attorney provide you comfort in knowing that you have a legal professional on your side, but a personal injury attorney works for their clients for free up front, covers all the expenses of litigation, does all the work, and gets you the most compensation
As your car accident attorney, I am your biggest advocate, your biggest supporter, and your family.
Joshua C. Smith is a top rated Personal Injury attorney in Oklahoma City. The highest possible rating in case results and client satisfaction. Find out why Joshua C. Smith is the Oklahoma Lawyer