Car accidents are an unpleasant and often tragic reality for millions of people throughout the world. While the accident itself may be a difficult experience, for most individuals, the heartache is just beginning. Dealing with the complicated intricacies of insurance companies in the fallout of an accident is an arduous task and highlights the importance of always getting legal representation to fight for proper compensation. Below are 6 reasons to not represent yourself in an accident claim.
Legal Experience
Laws regarding compensation and culpability in accidents vary greatly by state and are very complex. Along with the increasing amounts of red tape that characterize most insurance policies, getting an adequate amount of compensation is a very difficult task. Accident lawyers are experts in dealing with insurance companies and know all the legal rights that victims of accidents have. This experience allows lawyers to explore every option available to a person, most of which are not known to the average citizen. Sometimes even the smallest legal loophole can be the difference in getting enough compensation to cover the massive expenses associated with many accidents, and accident lawyers are trained to find them.
Time
Getting proper compensation in an accident claim, even when a driver is an innocent victim takes large amounts of time and effort. Because most people simultaneously have to spend large amounts of time getting medical treatment, adjusting work schedules, and dealing with the various expenses associated with accidents, they simply do not have enough time to pursue proper compensation. The simple fact that the full-time job of an accident lawyers is to explore every possible avenue of an accident claim means that they have the time to get a proper settlement.
Insurance Companies Have Lawyers Too
All insurance companies have lawyers that work for them in some capacity, with most major insurance companies employing teams of lawyers to develop new policies and modify existing ones. It is always important to keep in mind that these lawyers ultimately are working in the interests of the insurance company. Even if the lawyers in an individual's insurance company are working to help secure compensation for them, they are still first and foremost looking out for the interests of the insurance company. The best way to combat the potential difficulties posed by insurance lawyers is to get the help of an accident lawyer, who knows how to combat the opposing legal resources used against an accident victim.
Affordable and High-Quality Service
Many individuals are very hesitant to use accident lawyers to assist in their claim because of the high costs often associated with lawyers. However, many accident lawyers offer a very affordable service fee, with free initial consultations and provisions that absolve the accident victim from paying any fees at all if the lawyer does not win compensation for them. The low-risk high-reward aspect of accident lawyers makes them an ideal option for all motorists.
Mental Stability
The emotional drain and psychological distress that plague many motorists involved in accidents can often prevent them being able to properly pursue accident claims. Accident lawyers provide a stable foundation that many motorists desperately need amid great hardship. Accident lawyers are not only trained experts in getting compensation but also know how to properly work with individuals who are grieving or struggling with fear.
Fault vs. Non-Fault Liability
The two main types of accident liability law are fault and non-fault liability. A large majority of states, 38 out of 50, are fault liability states, meaning that insurance companies will assign blame and determine an amount of money to be paid by the at-fault motorist(s). On many occasions, the amount of money determined is not enough to cover expenses that arose as a result of the accident, such as wages lost due to time missed at work or psychological distress. The role and importance of accident lawyers grow exponentially in fault liability states, and many times are the only way for motorists to receive the compensation they need and deserve.