The Pros and Cons of Hiring an Auto Accident Attorney

Have you recently sustained injuries in a car accident and want to know if hiring an auto accident attorney is worth it? Did you know that several advantages come with hiring an auto accident attorney?

One of the most significant advantages is that you have a better chance of winning your case with a lawyer representing you. Dealing with an auto insurance company on your own is no easy feat, especially if your case goes to trial.

Please continue reading below to learn more about the pros and cons of hiring a lawyer for your auto accident case. We will cover the top advantages and disadvantages of hiring a lawyer and who you can contact for additional help.

What Is an Auto Accident Attorney?

An auto accident attorney is a lawyer who represents clients who’ve been injured in auto accidents. When you hire an attorney to handle the auto claim process, they handle speaking with the auto insurance adjusters and negotiating the right settlement for your injuries. These attorneys are also well-versed in personal injury law, so they are aware of what types of compensation they could

Pros of Hiring an Accident Attorney

Many excellent advantages come with hiring auto accident lawyers to handle your case. For example, they serve as your advocate and can help you understands your rights in an auto accident.

Saves You Time

Handling an auto insurance claim on your own is extremely time-consuming. You must file a claim with the insurance company, find and provide evidence, communicate with the adjuster, wait for a claim verdict, and negotiate your injury settlement.

Like most people, you probably have other things you need to tend to, like work or a family. Not only that, but you’re also most likely trying to focus on getting better physically and mentally.

Instead of chasing down evidence or constantly calling an insurance company, you can give that burden to an attorney. They will use their team of professionals to make sure the claims process moves along as it should so you can focus on getting back on your feet. 

Saves You Money

Although many people may argue that hiring an attorney costs a lot of money instead of saving it, that statement is not true. Some attorneys work based on a contingency fee, which means you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket unless you win your case. Even when you win your case, the attorney deducts their fees from the settlement check received from the insurance company. 

Hiring an attorney can save you money because they know how to negotiate the right settlement for you. Most auto insurance adjusters try to make it seem like the settlement they offer you is fair when in reality, it is well under what you should receive. Your auto accident attorney will look over all of the facts of your case to determine what damages you can claim, which could be well over what the auto insurance company offers.

Focus On Getting Back on Your Feet

As mentioned earlier, the last thing you want to do is chase around an adjuster to hear about the status of your claim. Instead, you want to rest and try to make sense of the next steps to take after the aftermath of an auto accident. 

Reputable attorneys have a network of people they partner with, including physicians. Depending on your injuries, your lawyer can point you in the right direction regarding who to speak with for treatment. Some attorneys even have agreements with certain doctors where the doctor continues to treat you without you having to pay them. Similar to an attorney working on a contingency fee basis, the doctors may agree to receive payments for their services once your case settles. 

Understands Auto Accident Laws

Laws that pertain to personal injury differ from state to state, and trying to understand them on your own can be very difficult. Thankfully, lawyers who handle personal injury claims understand these complex laws and can help you better understand your options and the entire claims process. 

Although most auto accident cases are handled outside of court through negotiations with the insurance company, there is a chance your case may go to trial. Complex cases that involve wrongful deaths or severe injuries sometimes make it to court because the insurance company and the attorney may disagree on the settlement. If your case gets to that point, your attorney will handle going to court, so you won’t have to. 

Builds an Expert Team

If your case goes to trial, the last thing you want to do is battle the insurance company’s team of lawyers on your own. Auto accident attorneys can find and create a team of experts, such as medical experts or other professionals, who can attest to your injuries, helping your case. Finding them on your own would be very difficult, especially if you’ve never handled a court case alone. 

Understands Timelines

In every personal injury claim, there are statutes of limitations. This means you have a deadline to file your personal injury claim for your auto accident. If you surpass these statutes of limitation, your claim won’t be honored, even if you have a valid claim. 

Even if you don’t have any injuries initially after the accident, things may change later on. Some injuries don’t show up until later, and you may still be able to claim compensation.

To make sure you stay on top of your deadlines, a reputable personal injury accident attorney will review the statutes of limitations and handle getting the paperwork to the insurance company on time. They will also keep up with the auto insurance adjuster to ensure they don’t act in bad faith and try to make a claim surpass the statutes of limitation.

Better Chance of Winning Your Case

As mentioned earlier, personal injury law is relatively complex, and to successfully fight your case; you need to understand state and federal personal injury laws thoroughly. In addition to understanding the law, you must also know how the court system works if your case goes to trial. Without this extensive knowledge, you could miss deadlines, create more stress and work for yourself, and give the defense the upper hand. 

A personal injury attorney is well aware of how to work a courtroom and what steps to take to make sure your case goes in your favor. This includes creating strategies to battle any false narratives the defense team created and providing evidence to support your case. 

Cons of Hiring an Accident Attorney

The only con associated with hiring an auto accident attorney is their cost. Some attorneys request their clients to pay a retainer fee upfront. As stated earlier in the article, most attorneys offer their services based on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay anything unless you win. 

Before signing a contract with any attorney, make sure you contact them for a free consultation. During that initial meeting, you can ask them about their payment structure and if they work on a contingency fee basis or not. 

Common Auto Accident Injuries

There are several different injuries someone could sustain in an auto accident. For example, you could suffer from bruising, cuts, or even severe brain trauma. 

Additional examples of common auto accident injuries:

• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Burns

If you’ve suffered from any of these injuries in an auto accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation. As mentioned earlier, some auto accident attorneys work with a team of medical professionals who can help rehabilitate you and get you back on your feet. Seeking proper medical attention is key to a speedy and healthy recovery. 

Compensation for Auto Accidents

There are two main categories for the compensation you can receive: general and special damages. Special damages are easier to calculate because they have a specific value associated with them. 

Examples of special damages:

• Property damage (auto vehicle damage)
• Lost wages
• Any out-of-pocket expenses
• Medical expenses
• Future lost earning capacity

If you have to pay for anything out of pocket, make sure you keep your receipt. So long as what you paid for is related to the accident, your attorney will add that information to your case and request reimbursement.

General Damages

General damages are harder to calculate because there is no tangible value added to them. An example of general damage is pain and suffering. After you’ve been involved in an accident, how could anyone put a price tag on your pain and suffering or other general damages?

Additional examples of general damages:

• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of quality of life
• Disfigurement

Teaming up with a reputable attorney with expertise in personal injury claims is the best way to receive the compensation you deserve. They are aware of the different damages you can claim, and they will apply every single applicable one so you receive the proper compensation.

How To Find the Right Auto Accident Lawyer?

A quick online search for an auto accident lawyer will provide you with an overwhelming amount of results. To sort through that mess, there are a few key things you should look out for. For example, you want to ensure an attorney has expertise in personal injury accidents, specifically ones dealing with auto insurance companies. 

Check Their Reviews

Once you find a few lawyers you think you might want to work with, please look at their reviews. You can use third-party websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, or Google Reviews to see what other clients say about their services.

Keep an eye out for any reviews about communication. In auto accident claims, communication is crucial. You want to have an attorney who stays on top of communication with you and the insurance company so they don’t miss any critical information or deadlines. 

Schedule a Consultation

The best way to find out if an attorney is best for you is to speak with them in person. Online reviews can give you a general overview of how others liked working with an attorney, but everyone’s relationship is different.

What may work for someone may not work for you. Reach out to a few different attorneys who offer a free no-obligation consultation, and see how you feel after that initial consultation.

If the attorney avoids answering your questions or makes you feel uncomfortable, you may want to seek out another attorney. Please don’t feel like you have to hire the attorney out of obligation because you met with them. 

Check Their Availability

When looking for the right attorney, you want to ensure they can handle taking on your case. It isn’t unusual for an attorney to utilize their paralegals and other associates in the office to take care of a few tasks for your case, but if the attorney has too many cases on their hands, they may give your claim to a junior associate to handle. When you meet with the attorney, don’t be afraid to ask them if they can take on your case and, if so, inquire about how much time they plan to dedicate to your claim. 

Speak With an Auto Accident Attorney Today

There are several different pros and cons that come with hiring an auto accident attorney, but fortunately, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. When you hire an attorney to handle your car accident case, you have a better chance of winning your claim and the opportunity to focus on getting back on your feet.

If you recently suffered injuries in an auto accident and want to learn more about your legal options, contact us. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the auto accident claim process.