Pursuing a claim for injuries sustained in a car accident can be time-consuming and frustrating. Even if evidence points to the other driver being entirely at fault, their insurance company is likely to deny liability or offer you less than your claim is worth.
At this point, you may be wondering if you should be finding an attorney for a car accident claim. While retaining legal representation is a personal decision, you should at least meet with a car accident attorney who offers a free, no-obligation consultation.
Evaluating Car Accident Injuries
Evaluating your injuries after a car accident is not necessarily straightforward. The other party’s insurance company will look at the accident facts and determine whether they believe your injuries are related. They will also look at the treatment you had, the costs, and whether your treatment was reasonable and necessary. Did you recover within the expected period of time for that type of injury, or did it take you considerably longer? These are all factors that can impact your case value.
Other damages like pain and suffering and lost wages will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you need future treatment, like surgery, that will affect the value of your claim too.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer to Help with My Case?
Hiring an attorney after a car accident can give you an objective view of your case. When you meet with an attorney, they will review the facts of your accident, your injuries, time off work, etc., and tell you what your case is potentially worth.
Having this information is vital because it’s hard to remain objective when you are personally involved. Most plaintiffs think their case is worth more than it actually is. When you have a realistic view of what you might receive in compensation, it can make resolving your claim easier.
An attorney can also handle all negotiations with the other party’s insurance company. Dealing with insurance adjusters can be daunting. They may give the appearance they are on your side, but they aren’t. Their goal is to gain information from you that they can use against you to reduce your claim’s value or deny it outright. The adjuster may offer you a small amount early on in the case in hopes you will settle. That way, they can close their file before you have additional treatment.
If your case proceeds into litigation, you need an attorney who has the necessary experience to take your case all the way to trial. Many cases won’t ever go to trial, but there is always the chance. That is why you want an attorney from the start who can fight for you and win over a jury if it comes to that point.
5 Signs You Need a Lawyer
If you are still undecided about finding an attorney for a car accident claim, here are five signs you need to hire one:
- You sustained severe injuries in the accident;
- You have concerns you cannot pay for your treatment costs;
- The insurance company has denied liability and won’t pay for any of your treatment;
- You missed time off work; or
- You have been seeking medical treatment, but you’re not improving at all.
Any time you have serious injuries or have been treating for several months without improvement, you need to contact an attorney. When you have an attorney representing you, they will fight for the maximum compensation possible. They can also offer suggestions on various specialists with whom you could make an appointment if you aren’t improving.
Understandably, medical bills can bring added financial stress. If you are concerned about how your medical treatments will be paid for, you want to contact an attorney. Likewise, you should talk to an attorney if you missed a significant amount of time from your job. If the insurance company isn’t offering you enough to cover your medical treatment and loss of earnings, you need an attorney who can negotiate with the other driver’s insurance adjuster.
When the insurance company denies your claim, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will continue to push settlement through the discovery process. If the other driver’s insurance company keeps denying liability, your attorney will prepare your case for trial.
How Do I Find the Right Attorney for a Serious Car Accident?
When you’ve decided to hire an attorney, you don’t want to hire just anyone. Choosing the best car accident lawyer after an accident takes some research. You may need to meet with several attorneys before finding the one that’s right for your case. You want someone who has experience handling cases similar to yours, as well as trial experience.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the attorney you meet with and that they care about your case. You don’t want to wind up as just another case file in a law firm’s computer system. Choose a lawyer who will give your case the attention it deserves.
At Gerling Law, you get the skilled professionalism you expect from a large firm with the personalized focus you get with a boutique firm. Have you been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence? If so, contact Gerling Law today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Remember, Go with Experience. Go with Gerling.®
Gayle Gerling Pettinga
Born and raised in Evansville, Gayle is a respected, experienced lawyer and a valued community leader. She graduated near the top of her class at Indiana University’s prestigious Maurer School of Law. She’s practiced law with one of the largest firms in Indianapolis as well as one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. And that means she knows how big law firms and big companies think and how they operate – and she will put that knowledge to work for you.
Gayle has received numerous awards and honors including Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rated: AV®, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Indiana for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and YWCA Evansville 100 Years, 100 Women Honoree, 2011.
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