Unsure about whether you should hire a personal injury attorney after your car accident? Take the following into consideration:
1. The insurance company is NOT on your side
This is an easy one. You get in an accident and one of the first few things you do is notify your insurance company. The insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible when it comes to claims, so they may lowball you rather than offer you fair compensation. Insurance companies can take advantage of you when they know you do not have legal representation. You need to understand that the insurance company is not on your side. But a personal injury lawyer is.
2. Accidents can be complex
The legal system can be labyrinthine, with different laws for different claims. Oftentimes it can be hard to prove who is at fault when it comes to car accidents. Having an expert like a personal injury lawyer on your team will be able to investigate the accident, gather evidence to prove your case, and counter any arguments insurance companies will try to come up with.
3. Statute of limitations
When you’re in an accident, you need to act quickly. You generally have two weeks from the date of the crash to see a medical provider to establish an “emergency medical condition”. Then there are laws, called statutes of limitations, that limit how long you have to bring a car accident claim in the state of Florida. In Florida, you generally have four years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within the statue of limitations, the court will not hear your claim and you will not be able to be compensated for your damages. Four years may sound like plenty of time, but in the legal system, it flies by.
4. If your case goes to court
Litigation happens when you are unable to settle with the insurance company after a car crash. Court cases can be complicated and could cause a lot of stress when navigating it yourself. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side means you have a professional gathering evidence and presenting it in court. Oftentimes personal injury cases go to a jury to decide. Personal injury attorneys know how to effectively present your side to a jury and show them all the information they need to make the correct decision.
5. If you are physically injured
Injuries from an accident tend to have a significant impact on people’s lives. You may not be able to work, may have expensive medical bills already, and have expensive treatment in your near future. Personal injury lawyers know how to get you fairly compensated for things like medical bills and lost wages. Some claims can involve multiple parties and take months or years to resolve, so if you’re unable to earn an income during this time it is important to have a lawyer on your side who can help you handle this process.
You should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer immediately. The insurance companies have professionals working on your claim immediately. You should as well. We suggest you call an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. When you call Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, you will speak to one of our team members who can help you determine if you have a case.
