If you have sustained injuries in an auto accident where you were not at fault, hiring a personal injury lawyer is a good idea. He or she will help you pursue compensation from the insurer of the at-fault party. Although it is possible to get compensation without the help of a lawyer, you run the risk of settling for less. Advantages of hiring a qualified car accident attorney include:
Knowledge of Personal Injury Law
A lawyer will have a good grasp of personal injury laws in your state. This is not the case for someone who is not a legal professional. An insurer can take advantage of someone who does not have a lawyer to settle for less than the courts would have awarded if the claimant had sought legal advice. In addition, a lawyer can interpret personal injury laws and apply them to ensure that your case has a positive outcome. Take note that in some states such as Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance only covers 60% of lost wages and 80% of medical costs regardless of who was at fault.
This does not mean that you have to bear the financial burden of seeking medical treatment as well as loss of income. An auto accident lawyer can help you get compensation beyond the limit set in law. Some states allow the filing of civil lawsuits seeking additional compensation under certain exceptional circumstances. This is where your lawyer’s legal expertise and knowledge comes in handy.
Preparing To Appear In Court
Preparing to present your case in court is not a walk in the park. It involves thorough and extensive gathering of evidence, questioning witnesses, contacting and liaising with expert witnesses, and reconstructing the accident scene. Remember the at-fault party’s insurer will also gather information to rebut the evidence that your lawyer will present. This means that the success or failure of your auto accident case hinges on hiring a lawyer who can collect, analyze, and present credible evidence in court.
Negotiating With Insurers/Negligent Parties
In some cases, the negligent party’s insurer will approach the aggrieved party to settle a personal injury case out-of-court. Without a competent attorney by your side, you are likely to get a raw deal because insurers make money by under compensating injured people.
Representation In Court
After an auto accident, you may have to spend time in hospital or at home recuperating and undergoing therapy. This means that you may be unable to attend court hearings. For this reason, you need someone who can represent you and fight for your interests while you undergo treatment. The good news is most car accident lawyers will work on a no-win-no-fee basis. You will only pay your lawyer if he or she pursues your case to a successful outcome. David Brauns is a lawyer known for bringing satisfaction to his clients.
All in all, a car accident can leave you with serious injuries making it hard to work. In such a case, you need the services of an auto accident attorney who can help you seek compensation from the negligent party. He or she can also negotiate with insurers in an out-of-court settlement.
