When injured in an accident, most people are often unsure of what to do next. Of course, the first step is always to seek medical care. The next steps taken are needed to file a claim for compensation. Many people immediately contact the insurance provider. However, it may be in the injured person’s best interest to contact a lawyer first.
Contacting the Insurance Company
At some point, the insurance company will need to be contacted to get the claim started. It is important that the injured party only contact their own insurance provider at this point. However, contacting an attorney first may be a better idea.
The problem with contacting either insurance provider immediately after an accident is that the person may not have had enough time to settle down from the trauma caused by the accident. This may cause the individual to say the wrong thing or even provide additional details that have nothing to do with the accident. Many of these statements could complicate the claims process.
By contacting a lawyer first, the injured person can find out more information about their claim and allow the attorney to make the initial contact with the insurance company. This will ensure only the necessary information is provided and the injured person’s rights are protected throughout the process.
The Cost of a Lawyer
Many people may avoid calling an attorney immediately after the accident because of the cost. This can be especially worrisome when faced with serious medical bills. However, many attorneys will provide the initial consultation free of charge to discuss the accident and potential next steps.
Even after the initial consultation, many attorneys work on contingency. This means they will work to reach a settlement in the case with no money upfront. The attorney will only receive payment when they are able to secure a fair settlement for the injured party.
Benefits of a Lawyer
An attorney can assist in dealing with the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement for the claim. They can even hold off the insurance company to ensure that all the costs of the injury are known before a settlement is reached.
Without an attorney, injured individuals may be rushed into taking a settlement offer only to find that their injuries are more severe than they thought. This can leave them with no recourse to get further compensation for these additional costs.
Nearly 96% of all personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, the remainder end up going to trial because a fair settlement could not be reached. An attorney will assist with the trial aspect of the process as well.
The attorney will help gather any information that shows the costs of the injury and the extent of the medical issues. They will also work to find witnesses and evidence to show the details of the accident. They will even find experts, such as medical experts and accident reconstruction experts, to help prove the case.
A lawyer can be a great help when seriously injured in an accident. The attorney will do a lot of the work necessary to get the compensation needed to make the person whole or as close to whole as possible. This alone can provide the much-needed help an injured person needs to let them focus on their recovery instead of fighting for their rights.
