I was Injured in an Auto Accident – Do I need a Lawyer?

Understanding How a Personal Injury Attorney on Your Side Helps You

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you likely have several questions about how to get your car repaired, your medical bills paid for, and also are probably wondering about missed wages from times when you could not work or if you are eligible for compensation for your pain and suffering. Every accident case is a little bit different, but there is one thing that can be said about all of them; if you are offered an early settlement check from your insurance company, talk to a lawyer immediately.

Why Would I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company is Offering Me Money?

One thing that people who have been involved in an accident need to be aware of is that insurance companies will work very hard at protecting their profits. The only reason that they would offer you money, especially right after the accident, is to get you to settle for less than you are owed. Accidents do not come with a clear price tag; it takes a time to determine the full cost of medical treatments and other compensation that you are owed. Accepting a check from the insurance company will more than likely relieve them of any future responsibility. You only get one chance at making a full financial recovery, make sure you have a lawyer to help get you every penny you are owed.

The Insurance Company is NOT on your side

Insurance companies spend millions, in some cases billions of dollars per year in advertising. This isn’t just because they want your business, it’s also because they want to convince you that they have your back, that they will protect you if anything ever happens. The reality is, insurance companies make money when they bring in monthly premiums and do not have to pay out claims. They will typically go to great lengths to devalue, delay and even outright deny legitimate claims. Getting a fair settlement that will fully cover your injuries without a lawyer is difficult.

How Does a Lawyer Help Me?

Aside from showing the insurance companies that they will have to take your claim seriously, a lawyer can help you with the following:

• Ensuring you have access to all medical treatments that are required, both now and in the future
• Working with doctors that will give a fair assessment of your recovery and (if applicable) disability. The doctors that the insurance company provides will likely push the idea that you will make a full recovery regardless of whether that is the case or not.
• Making a fair assessment of, and having the experience to negotiate for, any compensation related to pain and suffering. While missed wages and medical costs can be calculated or estimated, there are other issues like pain and suffering or emotional toll that are not as clear-cut, and injury victims typically have to fight to receive them.
• Helping you not miss any critical deadlines and generally helping you understand what to expect from the recovery process. You already have to deal with your physical recovery, you do not need to be dealing with the additional stress of navigating your way through the legal and financial aspects of your injury.