Should You Hire An Accident Attorney?

When should you consult with an accident lawyer? You should seek the advise of an accident attorney as soon as possible following the collision. Do not wait. You could be giving up certain rights. You should definitely speak with an attorney before speaking with the other sides insurance agent, adjuster or attorney.

You say you could not afford a lawyer. Most accident attorneys will consult with you for free and, if they take your case, will handle it on a contingency basis, not taking any fee before the case is settled. Most settlements are increased to cover the expense of the attorney and therefore normally the attorney costs you nothing. Many attorneys will also advance all court costs for you if they're forced to file suit.

You state that you were hurt, but the insurance company has offered to pay your medical bills and you don't feel it's right to take advantage of them by asking for additional money for your, pain, suffering, lost work, etc.. Don't you believe that you as a person are worth something? Do you think so little of yourself which you believe that your pain, suffering, inconvenience, etc. is worthless. You didn't cause this crash. What you're going through was caused by somebody else. You deserve to be compensated. The insurance provider, as a matter of good business, has already built these types of costs into the premiums that they charge their clients. If the money doesn't go to you it will most likely go to their shareholders or to increased salaries or? . Why should not you be properly compensated. Remember most good attorneys are ethical and although they will try to get as much money for you as is due, they won't take your case unless they feel it is proper.

You say someone else admitted liability and said that their insurance will pay all your damages. That is great, but what if the individual changes his or her story later on and says that you're at fault. Or what if the other side's insurance company won't pay what you think is appropriate. In actuality, how can you know what is appropriate? Keep in mind, an insurance company may pay claims, but it's in business to make money. It normally won't offer one dollar more than it has to and if you're not represented by an attorney the insurance company adjuster or attorney may feel he or she can"get away" with paying much less than the claim may be worth. Additionally, what people state at the time of an accident isn't always what they state after having spoken with a friend, insurance agent or attorney. Finally, an insurance adjuster or insurance attorney works for the insurance provider, not for you. How can you know that what they're telling you is true or correct. Bear in mind, in most cases, they are there to attempt to save the business money. You want a lawyer on your side to let you know what your rights and duties are.

You state that you weren't hurt that bad or at all. How do you know how badly you're hurt. Some injuries do not appear for months. Other injuries may aggravate a prior issue. Even if you've been found to be"ok" by a doctor, how do you know that a problem won't come up later. In case you have insurance and did go to a doctor, who's going to cover your co-pay or deductible. If you don't have health insurance, who's going to pay for your examination which should include xrays, etc.. If you retain an attorney he or she can probably refer you to a doctor who will accept a lien against the insurance settlement, thereby saving you from paying cash out of your pocket.

You say you have accident insurance, why not let them handle everything for you. Your insurance company is there to defend any claims against you not to represent you in any claims against other parties. Furthermore, they are also in business to make money. How do you know if they're trying to settle a case to help you or to save money.