An unexpected accident can turn out to be quite expensive. Medical bills aren’t cheap, and things can get really complicated if you’re not able to return to work right away. You may have to drain your limited savings to keep up with your day-to-day expenses. However, you didn’t ask to get hurt. If someone else is responsible, you might be entitled to compensation. Money isn’t a magic cure-all, but it can make a huge difference and make life a little bit easier. If you want to recover substantial compensation, hiring a lawyer can help you achieve that goal. Here’s when having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can really help to make a difference. If you decide that hiring an attorney is the right path forward, here's everything you need to know when hiring a personal injury attorney.
Your Claim Involves Negotiations With Insurance Companies
If you decide to file a claim after an accident, you’ll probably end up dealing with an insurance company. You submit a request for compensation, they consider that request, and then issue a decision. They’re not looking out for your best interests. When they review your claim for benefits, they’re searching for any reason - any reason at all - to deny it. If they can’t deny it, they’ll do their best to reduce the value and pay you as little as possible. Insurance companies tend to get away with this when they’re dealing directly with accident victims. It’s easy to see why. You’re probably shaken up after your accident. You might not have a lot of time to dedicate to your injury claim. You’re not an expert in the claims process. Insurance companies, on the other hand, designed the process and know how to work it in the company’s favor. They know how to manipulate you and use fear to get you to accept less money than you deserve. Things change when you have an attorney represent you and handle your injury claim. Insurance companies can’t get off so easily. They know that their usual unsavory tactics won’t work. They know that attorneys will hold their feet to the fire and force the company to offer a reasonable settlement.You’re Being Blamed For Your Accident
Accidents are rarely straightforward and clearcut. A lot of different things can cause an accident to happen. In Texas, liability for an accident is apportioned among everyone who shares responsibility and blame. As a result, it’s common for liable parties to point fingers. They might even try to blame you for the accident that caused you to get hurt. Here’s why that can be problematic. Texas is a modified comparative fault state. Under the state’s rules, you’ll be prohibited from recovering compensation if you share more than 50 percent of the blame for an accident. If other parties and/or insurers are able to shift blame to you, they could prevent you from getting the money you really need. Even if they can’t shift most of the blame to you, their efforts can hurt your case. That’s because damages are reduced to the degree to which you’re at fault. If you’re allocated 40 percent of the blame, your financial award will be reduced by 40 percent. That can add up to be quite a hefty sum of money. When you hire an attorney, you can benefit from an independent investigation into your accident. Your lawyer - with the aid of experts - can determine why the accident happened. For example, an accident reconstructionist might help to shed light on what caused your car accident. When causation is established, your lawyer can then identify who might be responsible, and to what degree. This information can be critical in protecting you from allegations of fault and, ultimately, your ability to recover compensation.The Value of Your Claim is in Dispute
How much is your case worth? Insurance companies have a system in place to answer that question. You can be sure that this system is designed to identify the lowest possible value. The best way to protect yourself and increase the likelihood of recovering substantial monetary damages is by making sure that you have evidence to support your demands. You can accomplish that by letting an experienced personal injury lawyer handle your case. Your attorney can work closely with expert witnesses as they investigate and build your case. These experts can help your attorney understand your injuries and appreciate how those injuries might affect your day-to-day life. These experts can help your attorney project how these injuries might compromise your ability to earn a living. In the end, your attorney can build a solid case backed by expert testimony to support your quest for compensation.