You may feel that because the car accident you were involved in wasn’t your fault, you won’t need a lawyer. Unfortunately, you’re probably wrong. Even when an accident is caused by someone else, and often because the accident is caused by someone else, you should have a lawyer represent you. The following are just two reasons why.
1. It Can Be Confusing to Deal With the Insurance Company
When an insurance company contacts you, their sole purpose is to try to pay out as little as possible. Yes, they may admit the accident was the fault of their client, but they’ll pull out all the stops to keep that payment lower than you deserve. Perhaps they’ll insist you were partially at fault and should only receive partial compensation. Perhaps they’ll claim your injuries existed before your accident. In any case, your lawyer can help you fight those claims and get the compensation you deserve.
You could also have problems with your own insurance company. Maybe you don’t realize you can file a claim with your own insurance company for coverage through PIP for your bodily injuries. Your lawyer can help you figure out how to go about this correctly.
2. You Need to Better Understand Damages and What You’re Eligible For
There’s a possibility you have no idea what damages to seek after your car accident. Are you able to seek money to pay for damages done to your car? What about the mental anguish you’re experiencing? Your lawyer can work with you through this process to determine which damages you’re eligible for based on your situation. The following are just a few you may be able to seek.
- Medical expenses – This includes all medical bills related to the injuries caused by your accident, including future medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering – After being in a car accident, you will probably experience pain and suffering that doesn’t necessarily qualify under medical expenses, but still qualifies as compensatory damages.
- Lost wages – More than likely, you’ve missed some work while you’ve been recovering from your accident. With a statement from your employer, detailing what you’ve missed, you can seek lost wages.
- Loss of earning capacity – It’s possible you won’t be able to go back to work at all, so you can seek future wages as well due to the loss of earning capacity.
- Punitive damages – Not every accident qualifies for this, but if the judge feels the at-fault driver was particularly negligent, you may be able to seek punitive damages.
Hiring a Lawyer to Assist in Your Case Today
As you can see, there are some important reasons to contact a lawyer after a car accident. Get in touch with a car accident lawyer, to learn more about handling these situations.