As one of the potentially most devastating types of auto accidents, a T-bone crash involves one car directly hitting another car on the side of the vehicle. The accident can happen to either side of a car, which can place passengers directly in harm’s way. If you were a victim of a T-bone accident, you might wonder whether hiring a personal injury attorney is a good idea. The decision you make should be based on the answers to several questions, starting with the question did you suffer any injuries that required medical treatment?
What is the Extent of Your Injury?
Just because you were involved in a T-bone car crash does not mean you need the legal support of a personal injury lawyer. Maybe the car airbags deployed in time to prevent any serious injuries or the driver of the other vehicle hit the side of a car where there were no passengers. If you suffered one or more injuries, then you should speak with a state-licensed personal injury attorney. An accomplished lawyer should ensure he or she has every medical document associated with your case. Your attorney also needs to collect evidence, especially a copy of the official report filed by the responding law enforcement agency.
If your lawyer determines one or more drivers were at fault for causing your injuries, then you have the right to file a claim seeking just compensation.
It is not just an injury or injuries that can motivate you to reach out to a state-licensed personal injury lawyer. If the insurance company representing the at-fault driver offers compensation that falls way below what you deem to be fair, a personal injury attorney can negotiate a settlement that compensates you fairly for your pain and suffering. Some insurance companies offer fair settlements, which means you might not have to contact a personal injury lawyer. However, most at-fault car accident cases result in low ball offers made by insurers.
Attorney Compensation for Personal Injury Cases
Part of the research process for hiring a personal injury lawyer is to know how each prefers to be paid. Since personal injury cases award lump-sum compensation to plaintiffs, most personal injury lawyers prefer compensation on a contingency fee basis. This means there are not any upfront costs for you to pay. Your attorney receives compensation if the judge overseeing your case awards you a financial settlement. If you decide to represent yourself during a civil lawsuit, you should know that you can expect to pay upfront costs that include court and administrative fees.
How Much Can Your Attorney Get?
Although it is difficult to know exactly how much a judge awards you in just compensation, your personal injury attorney will review every detail of your case to provide an estimate of what your case is worth. Your lawyer will examine every medical bill, as well as calculate how much money you have lost because of missed time at work. One factor that is hard to estimate is how much a judge will award you for pain and suffering.
Ask for a Free Case Evaluation
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can make the difference between winning and losing a civil lawsuit. The first thing an attorney does is put a client through a case evaluation to determine the strength of a claim. Most personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations, so at the very least, you should schedule one today.
