Car Accident Not Your Fault? Why You Still Need a Lawyer

Each year 3 million people are injured in car accidents. Some are injured by their own negligence. Others are injured due to the fault of a third party. So, what should you do if you are injured due to the fault of someone else? Many people believe that insurance companies will handle everything for them, especially if they aren’t at fault. That is inaccurate. Here are some reasons why you might need an attorney to represent you after a car accident.

Insurance Policy Limits

Generally, the insurance carrier for the at-fault driver only has to pay damages up to the amount of liability coverage issued to the at-fault driver. However, that amount of money may not be enough to fully compensate you. An experienced attorney knows how to explore other possibilities which could lead to a greater recovery for your damages.

Bias

Unfortunately, if you talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before you speak to an attorney, you may place yourself at a disadvantage. As one might expect, insurance companies will most likely side with their client’s view of how a collision occurred. A claims adjuster is experienced in taking witness statements which also may place you at a disadvantage. An attorney can act as a go-between so you won’t have to worry about saying or doing something that could jeopardize your claim.

Medical Costs

Medical costs can skyrocket beyond what you may be able to receive from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Under those circumstances, an attorney may be able to negotiate with the healthcare carriers or other insurance companies to reduce the additional medical costs. 

Lost Wages

You may miss work as a result of injuries arising from a collision. It can be unpredictable as to how long your doctor may restrict you from working. It might be days, weeks or months. An attorney can assist you in maximizing your benefits to cover your lost wages and any sick days you may have to use due to your injuries.

Reduced Capacity

If you are hurt in a car accident, you may suffer from permanent injuries. Sometimes, these types of injuries can reduce your capacity to work in the future. It will require the testimony of experts to establish the degree of your reduced capacity to work. An attorney can assist in locating a qualified and respected expert to establish your reduced capacity to work.