If you’ve suffered from an injury and it was clearly the other person’s fault, you may be wondering if you should even bother hiring a Carrollton personal injury attorney.
While there are some situations where it might make sense to handle the claim on your own, it’s always a good idea to consult with an attorney. This is especially true if your injuries are serious and there’s a lot on the line.
The at-fault party’s insurance company might try to minimize your claim. Even worse, they might try to turn the tables and prove that you are the responsible party who should be liable for the damages.
Even if it seems like a clear-cut case, there are many reasons you’ll want an attorney’s help to protect your rights and ensure the best outcome. Let’s take a look at a few.
An Attorney Will Make Sure All Your Damages Are Covered
Many people don’t feel the need to hire an attorney for injuries that seem relatively minor, especially when it’s clear that the other party is at fault. But just because you feel fine and your medical bills seem to be covered by the settlement check, that doesn’t mean you’ve been fully compensated.
That reoccurring back pain may seem minor, but it may be an indicator of more significant damage than you or your doctor originally suspected. If you quickly sign a release and accept a settlement offer before your condition is fully understood, you could be stuck with mounting medical bills as you have to seek additional treatment.
A good lawyer will advise you to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and can make sure all of your damages are accounted for before you accept an offer. Damages you may be entitled to can include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages from missing work
- Pain and emotional suffering
An experienced Carrollton personal injury attorney will advocate on your behalf to make sure you receive a settlement that covers the full spectrum of your losses.
They'll Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim
The larger the claim, the more evidence the insurance adjuster will likely want. If you’re seeking compensation for medical bills in the amount of $2,000, a simple invoice from your doctor might suffice. But if your injuries result in $35,000 worth of medical bills, the adjuster might ask for an independent medical exam, medical records, past medical history, police reports, and other documentation.
All of this evidence can be hard to gather on your own, especially if you’re trying to focus on your recovery. A Carrollton personal injury attorney can handle these requests and position you for the best outcome.
If the Other Party Has Legal Representation, So Should You
It might seem clear to you that the other party is responsible for the accident. However, if you and the other party are stuck in a game of “he said, she said,” it might result in an ongoing investigation by each insurance company.
And if enough money is at stake, your personal injury accident may result in a court battle. If there’s a lot on the line and neither side is willing to accept liability for the accident, hiring a lawyer is your best bet to come out on top.
Attorneys Are Skilled At Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are notorious for using tactics to minimize legitimate claims rather than paying the claims fairly. They may even try to put some of the blame on you, even if it’s clear their customer was completely at fault.
That’s where a Carrollton personal injury lawyer can help. Lawyers go toe-to-toe with insurance adjusters on a daily basis and can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
They Can Review Any Settlement The Insurance Company Sends Over
It’s a good idea to have a lawyer in your corner, even when the insurance company appears to be willing to pay what they should. When an insurance company sends over a settlement offer, you must sign a release promising you won’t bring further legal action against them or the person they represent.
Before you agree to this, you might want an attorney to review the settlement terms against the specifics of your losses.
Most Lawyers Work On a Contingency Basis
Many people have a common misconception that hiring a lawyer requires paying hefty fees up-front. But almost all personal injury attorneys work on something called a contingency fee basis.
In this arrangement, they will only get paid if they win your case or reach a settlement outside of court. If you lose, the attorney receives nothing.
Not only does this make finding legal representation more affordable, but this structure means the lawyer shares the risk of loss with you. When you hire a Carrollton personal injury attorney who works on a contingency basis, you quite literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Let Our Carrollton Personal Injury Attorneys Handle the Legal Process For You
In these few quick examples, you can see how easily a personal injury claim could get complicated (even if liability is clear). For this reason, it’s always a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney if you’re injured in an accident.
Not only will you benefit from a lawyer’s knowledge and experience, but oftentimes hiring an attorney is necessary if the at-fault party is putting up a fight. Our Carrollton personal injury attorneys will protect your rights and help you win the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on what matters—your recovery.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
