3 Reasons To Hire An Attorney After An Auto Accident
Being involved in an auto accident can be a difficult, if not traumatizing, experience. You may spend months recovering to the point at which you can go about your normal daily activities. While you are in the process of recovery, you will also have to deal with the legal side of the accident's aftermath. Some people choose to handle this process on their own, believing that retaining the services of an attorney is too expensive. On the contrary, however, getting an attorney to represent you after an accident is one of the most financially prudent things you can do. Take a look below at just three of the biggest reasons why.
Low Upfront Costs
If your case is settled, then your lawyer will take what they call a "contingency fee", or a pre-determined percent of your settlement offer. Depending on the firm, you may only be responsible for a small retainer fee and payment for other costs related to your case, such as fees associated with obtaining medical records or police reports. Even taking into account these fees, it is far more likely that you will be awarded an amount that is more in line with what you deserve if an attorney is advocating for your interests.
Time Is Money, Too
Even you are able to get back to work soon after an accident occurs, you may find yourself taking unpaid leave more frequently in order to handle all of the paperwork that a case requires. Often, failing to turn in even a single document can be cause for a case to be delayed, or in the most extreme examples, dismissed. On the other hand, hiring an attorney who can do this on your behalf means that you can focus on your work without losing any more time or money than you already have.
Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
Perhaps the most important factor when thinking about the financial advantages of retaining an auto accident lawyer is that they can deal efficiently with insurance adjusters. The more serious your injuries and more complex your case, the more likely it is that adjusters will attempt to downplay their responsibility to compensate you appropriately. Without an attorney, you are likely to receive a lowball offer that doesn't come close to compensating for lost wages or medical expenses, and you find that you have no recourse outside of accepting the offer. To prevent this, consider contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
For more information, contact auto accident attorneys near you.