When Do You Need To Hire A Car Accident Attorney?

Law Blog

If you've been in a car accident, one of the first things you need to do is consult with a car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can help you in every aspect of the aftermath of your accident. From dealing with your insurance company to dealing with the driver, and beyond. If there were injuries in the accident, regardless of who was "at fault," the need for an attorney who specializes in car accident litigation becomes even more urgent. Here's what you need to know.

Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get More Money

Most insurance companies are eager to settle. In fact, 95 percent of all personal injury lawsuits (the majority of which are auto accident lawsuits) will settle rather than going to trial.

Why do insurance companies prefer to settle quickly?

There are actually quite a few reasons for this. The bottom line, though is that if you accept their first, lowball offer, it saves them money. They are businesses, after all. It is in their best interest to pay out as little as possible when accidents occur. Other reasons they prefer to settle quickly include:

• Some injuries aren't immediately obvious. They want to settle before you discover the full extent of your injuries and potential long-term repercussions. Some injuries take weeks or even months to fully materialize. Once you've accepted a settlement, it is too late for you to go back and renegotiate.
• Juries are unpredictable. You could find a sympathetic jury that offers a massive judgment against the insurance company or one that sides with the insurance company. Because they can't control the outcome, they prefer to err on the side of a quick settlement.
• Settlements often cost less than trials. While the insurance companies have teams of attorneys working on their behalf to go against you and your car accident lawyer, those teams cost them a lot of money. It is often cheaper for them to settle than pay their legal fees.

Then there is the time and attention factor. Insurance companies simply do not have the personnel or resources to go to trial for every auto accident. Your car accident attorney doesn't have to go to trial for you to talk about the insurance company into a higher settlement. You just want to make sure that your car accident lawyer is prepared if you must go to trial. Choose your car accident attorney wisely with these facts in mind.

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3 July 2020