If you’re injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, all of a sudden you’ll find yourself in a frustrating and mentally draining situation. First, you have to deal with your injuries and the expenses associated with them. Then, you might have to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance, or maybe even take them to court to recover compensation for your losses.
While it’s not required to have a Carrollton personal injury attorney file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party responsible for your accident, it’s usually advised. Personal injury law is a series of complicated rules, procedures, and processes that are difficult for most laypeople to navigate. And with one wrong move, you could cost yourself tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you are on the fence about seeking legal help after an accident, here are a few key reasons why it’s worth it:
There's a Much Greater Chance You Will Receive Higher Compensation
When people are wondering whether or not it’s worthwhile to hire a Carrollton personal injury attorney, a big concern is money. After all, you don’t want to hire a personal injury attorney, only to walk away with more losses, in addition to your mounting medical bills.
But, perhaps the biggest advantage of hiring a personal injury attorney is the impact they may have on the final dollar amount you’re offered. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, the average plaintiff who is represented by a personal injury attorney receives a settlement three and a half times larger than those who handle cases on their own.
Also, consider this: most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay anything unless they recover compensation for your losses. Once they’ve succeeded in recovering adequate compensation for your losses, they take a percentage out of your recovery.
Simply put, there is no cost if you don’t win and you still stand to gain more money (even after paying their fees) by working with a personal injury attorney who can help maximize the compensation you receive.
An Attorney Will Focus On The Stressful Work, So You Can Recover
Why is having a lawyer so important? The reality is that even the most mundane personal injury cases can turn into a complex legal labyrinth that requires dozens of steps and specialized knowledge to maneuver it.
In one study, researchers identified almost 200 various tasks that self-represented plaintiffs must perform in civil cases—from interpreting the law to filing forms, compiling evidence, and negotiating a settlement. Needless to say, this can quickly overwhelm someone who is not used to the legal process.
Handling your case on your own can lead to stress, which has been proven to be detrimental to the healing process. Also, if you’re recovering from your injuries, you’ll have doctors’ appointments, therapy sessions, and will need to take time to regain your health—leaving you with little energy to focus on legal matters.
A qualified Carrollton personal injury attorney, on the other hand, is used to navigating this complex system. When you hire an attorney, they will take care of all the paperwork, evidence gathering, and negotiations, giving you time to focus on your recovery.
Attorneys Have More Evidence-gathering Resources to Build Your Claim
It takes a lot of resources to gather evidence and build a claim that proves the other party is liable for your losses. And, most of the time, attorneys only have access to these resources.
Attorneys have the power to issue subpoenas and discovery requests, such as videos of the accident that proves the other party was at-fault and responsible for your injuries. Attorneys may also retain the services of experts who can help support your claim. For instance, they might call on an accident reconstruction expert who can piece together how the accident occurred and how it points to the at-fault party’s liability. They may even consult with medical and financial experts, to gather evidence of how the accident will impact your life and accurately determine what the value of the claim is worth.
At the end of the day, law offices have more resources, manpower, and time to build your claim more effectively than if you handle it on your own.
They'll Handle Negotiations With the Insurance Company
If you’ve suffered from injuries in an accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely enter the picture. As an injury victim, you want (and deserve) to receive a fair settlement from their insurance company. However, these companies don’t make profits from giving adequate compensation to the victims and adjusters will do everything in their power to limit your offer.
On your own, they will most likely have the advantage over you. Insurance adjusters understand the in’s and out’s of the claims process, are well versed in negotiation tactics, and know how to pressure people to accept a low-ball offer—a prospect that’s especially enticing if your bills are quickly adding up.
A personal injury attorney will intervene and handle the negotiations for you. They’ll ensure you don’t say anything that can jeopardize your claim, gather evidence to prove your case’s worth, and fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your current and future losses.
It's Worthwhile Having a Trusted Carrollton Personal Injury Lawyer In Your Corner
Personal injury law is complex and the claims process takes a lot of time, which is especially arduous if you’re trying to focus on healing after an accident. Plus, you can expect the at-fault party or their insurance company to put up a fight during negotiations. When it comes to a tussle between managing your recovery and navigating the legal process, either one is bound to suffer if you try to do everything on your own.
For these reasons, it’s worthwhile to have a Carrollton personal injury attorney in your corner to ensure that your case is handled properly from start to finish. They know how to navigate complex legal processes, have an arsenal of resources to build your claim, and have the negotiation skills to combat insurance companies who may try to offer you a low-ball settlement.
If you’ve been the victim of someone else’s negligence, our Carrollton personal injury attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on what matters—your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
