You have been in a car accident and the damages seem pretty straightforward to you. We are talking medical bills and property damage. No need to involve attorneys, right?
That may be the case, but it may also be in your best interest to talk to an attorney who is experienced in personal injury matters before you make the decision to go it alone.
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
You Versus the “Other Guys”
Sure, the insurance company seems willing to pay for your injuries, but keep in mind that they have one big interest in mind and that interest is to mitigate losses as much as possible. They want to settle and they want to pay whatever they can to avoid a lengthy litigation.
Insurance companies have their own in-house counsel who handle these types of situations, and they are experienced in putting out fires like your case as quickly and cheaply as possible.
It goes without saying that they may not be offering what they would offer an attorney who knows the law and is experienced in personal injury matters. Having an attorney on your side can be beneficial when it comes to receiving fair compensation.
Considering All Your Options
Immediately following a car accident, you may feel perfectly fine. While that may be true, some injuries do not manifest immediately following an accident. You may not feel it is necessary to pursue certain injuries, taking into consideration future pain and suffering or potential medical treatment, but a personal injury attorney may be able to advise you as to all options.
All states follow a statute of limitations, giving victims of car accidents a certain period of time, normally two years, to pursue a personal injury claim following a car accident. Therefore, you do not need to feel rushed to make a decision or settle with the insurance company.
An attorney may advise you to hold off and see whether any injuries do manifest. If you pursue a settlement too quickly and then later are hit with an injury related to the accident, you will not be able to pursue compensation at that point.
Second Opinion
Just like anything else, it never hurts to get a second opinion. If the insurance company is offering you a settlement, no harm will be done by having an attorney review the settlement offer to make sure your rights are being protected and to ensure that the offer is fair and reasonable.
Most offices will conduct free consultations, and you can simply speak with the attorney, explain what happened and ask him or her to review what you are being offered before signing on the dotted line.
He or she could very help you determine whether the offer is unfair, or if it would be a sufficient settlement.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you have been involved in a car accident and are not sure if you should hire an attorney, it never hurts to at least speak to one through a free consultation. A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
