When you are hit by a car, injuries are just the primary concern. The mental, physical, and financial stresses can be overwhelming. At that moment, you can consider getting a car accident attorney to fight for you and ensure your claims. But is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident?
The answer is yes, hiring a car accident attorney is worth the investment. An expert attorney can increase your compensation payout by 3X to 4X. The attorney can prepare your accident documents, communicate, and negotiate with the insurer to maximize your outcome.
Is It Worth Getting An Attorney for A Car Accident?
In a car accident case, the stakes can be high. Your recovery should include your current expenses and possible long-term costs. Therefore, you must deal with both your own insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies will try their best to find your fault in the accident to minimize your compensation.
That’s why you must hire a professional car accident attorney. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), legal representation ensures substantially higher payout, up to 3.5 times more.
How an Attorney Maximizes Your Claim?
- Accurate Claim Valuation: An experienced car accident attorney can accurately assess your case and claim beyond the medical bills and repair costs. They also calculate the claim for pain and suffering, emotional distress, future medical expenses, and loss of future earning capacity. So, rest assured, you don’t have to accept a lowball offer.
- Negotiation Expertise: A Car accident attorney from The Ledger Law will negotiate with the insurers on your behalf. They employ sophisticated tactics and solid evidence to counter the insurance adjusters. And if the insurance company disagrees to pay for your claim, the attorney is ready to take it to court for litigation.
- Proof of Liability: In many car accident cases, the fault is disputable. Also, many states follow comparative negligence or pure negligence. So, it’s necessary to prove that you were not even 1% at fault. Only an experienced attorney can analyze the car accident scene properly and prepare documents to prove your innocence. It is essential to avoid a pure comparative negligence policy. Or else, you can lose a substantial portion of your claimed compensation.
- Ensure appropriate investigation: Car accidents are complex. They may involve a drink and drive case, rear-ending, or poor weather conditions. So, the attorney will investigate the case. They will reconstruct the event with experts and scientists. They will discuss with the medical professionals about the treatment requirements. With it, they can prepare better for your case.
- Help in Taxation: The taxation policy of car accident compensation is complex. You must understand the IRS’s personal injury claims taxation method. The attorney can itemize the bills to minimize the tax. Also, they will suggest the tax deductibility on personal injury claims.
So, now you should know the worth of hiring a professional car accident attorney. Alarmingly, car accident death fatalities are higher than you think, totaling 40,901 deaths in 2023. So, the question is, “When to get an attorney for a car accident?” You should hire a car accident attorney for all accidents, minor or major.
When Should You Hire an Attorney for A Car Accident?
At this stage, you should be convinced that hiring a professional car accident attorney is worth anytime. However, you must find the right attorney and know when to hire them to ensure it is beneficial for you.
You must consider the case complexity, severity, or a dispute with the insurance company. Then, you can decide when to hire the professional.
Severe or Catastrophic Injuries
Did you or a loved one suffer serious injuries? It could be broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or injuries requiring surgery or long-term rehabilitation. If so, you should hire an attorney immediately.
These cases involve immense medical costs, potential future care, and significant non-economic damages. An attorney ensures the full scope of your lifetime needs is calculated and pursued.
Disputed Liability or Fault
In most cases, the other driver involved in a car accident denies fault. Also, the police report could be unclear or assign partial blame to you. In such cases, your car accident claims can become complicated.
If you are partially at fault, the case becomes complex due to the comparative negligence laws. You can lose a portion of your overall compensation. Also, if the fault is 51% or more, you can lose the entire payout. It applies to the states with a pure negligence standard.
Multiple Parties or Complex Circumstances
Real-time car driving isn’t similar to the Championship 4 berth. You drive through busy traffic and complicated highways. And with it, the chances of accidents increase. Often, accidents may involve commercial vehicles, including large or semi-trucks, government vehicles, rideshare services, etc.
It means you often have to deal with two parties: the at-fault driver and the vehicle operator or owner. For instance, accidents involving rideshare services almost always include Uber or Lyft as a defendant party.
Plus, many vehicles may be uninsured or underinsured. In such a case, you might have to submit the compensation bills to your own insurance company. Since you must communicate and negotiate with multiple parties, hiring an attorney will be beneficial.
Insurance Company Bad Faith or Low Offers
Let’s face it, insurance companies are not charitable organizations. So, they won’t happily pay your compensation claims. They will lowball your claims through strategic tactics. They might tactfully use your apology or admission to prove your fault.
So, hire a professional car accident attorney. They will communicate and negotiate with the insurer adjuster on your behalf. So, you remain safe from unknowingly admitting your fault and losing the compensation.
If your vehicle has sustained significant damage, getting an estimate from a reputable auto body shop in Los Angeles can also strengthen your claim by providing clear documentation of the repair costs insurers often undercut.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney
An attorney handles the legal burden for you, from managing the witnesses to maintaining the evidence. Thus, the role of an attorney in securing auto accident claims is crucial.
| Attorney Responsibility | Value to the Client |
| Evidence Collection | Secures your police reports, witness statements, and video footage. |
| Medical Documentation | Documents your medical records and billing to prove the link between the accident and injuries. |
| Litigation Preparation | Prepares the case for trial, if necessary, showing their seriousness |
| Deadline Compliance | Files all required paperwork and lawsuits within the statute of limitations |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
Auto accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. It means you pay nothing unless you get the payout. The attorney’s fee is typically 33.33% of your total payout.
- Do you need an attorney for a minor accident?
If the car accident is minor and there are no visible injury signs, often both parties can settle it through discussion.
- Can I still hire a car accident attorney if I have already started communicating with the insurance company?
Yes, you can hire a personal injury lawyer anytime. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have started communicating with the insurance companies.
Conclusion
Hiring a car accident attorney is worth it since they can increase your compensation by 3X to 4X. Also, you don’t have to take the burden of collecting and preserving the evidence. You also won’t have to communicate and negotiate with the insurance companies. Instead, you can focus on your physical and mental recovery.
