Why Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Motor vehicle accidents can result in devastating and life-changing injuries. Depending on the severity of a crash, you may need surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, or months of recovery. Sometimes, car accident injuries can leave you unable to work and participate in the activities you once enjoyed.

In addition to the physical, mental, and financial burdens associated with automobile accidents, you may also find it difficult to work with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or your own insurance company. It is sometimes a monumental task to navigate the various insurance policies and coverages that may or may not apply to your accident. It can be overwhelming to juggle these issues while attempting to heal your body and mind from the trauma of a car crash.

The good news is that you do not have to handle these tasks alone. If you were injured in an automobile accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may wonder whether hiring an injury lawyer is the right decision?

Hiring an attorney is not mandatory but failing to hire a lawyer can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation under Florida law. Many car accident victims decide to seek legal representation in order to focus on their healing and recovery during the pendency of a legal claim. If you were injured in an accident, you can hire an attorney at any point to negotiate with the negligent driver’s insurance company or pursue a personal injury claim.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Assist with Filing an Insurance Claim

You may think you would only need to hire an attorney to pursue a lawsuit. However, many personal injury claims can be resolved through negotiation with an at-fault driver’s insurance company before any lawsuit is filed.

Knowledgeable injury lawyers can assist and provide sound advice during this negotiation process. It is always a best practice to speak with an attorney before you accept any insurance settlement. Generally speaking, as soon as you cash an insurance company’s settlement check, you could forfeit your right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for damages stemming from your automobile accident.

In other circumstances, an at-fault driver may have inadequate insurance coverage to pay for your damages or, even worse, and they may lack insurance coverage at all. When the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be entitled to seek compensation from your own insurance company. This will require you to file an insurance claim for compensation from your insurance company. If you are able to consult with an attorney as soon as possible following your accident, it will put you in the best position to maximize your recovery from the other driver’s insurance company and your own insurer.

The insurance claim process can be further complicated when you are still receiving treatment or therapy for your injuries or when you might need surgery. If you accept an insurance settlement check too early, you might not receive enough money to cover the costs of ongoing medical care. Hiring a competent personal injury lawyer can alleviate the stress and pressure of dealing with insurance companies. Your attorney will fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. In many cases, your attorney can recover compensation on your behalf without even filing a lawsuit.

An Attorney is Essential When You Pursue a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If pre-lawsuit negotiations with the negligent driver or their insurance company do not lead to the resolution of your claim, your attorney has the ability to pursue recovery by filing a lawsuit. In other cases, you may receive the maximum recovery, or policy limits, from the at-fault driver’s insurance company but it may not be enough to compensate you for your injuries. If your own insurance company refuses to cover the remainder, your attorney can seek to recover the rest through a lawsuit.

If you feel an insurance company is not offering a fair amount to settle your claim, you should consult with an attorney to find out how best to pursue damages in a legal proceeding. Remember, you do not have unlimited time to file your lawsuit. You must bring your lawsuit within a certain time limit, or statute of limitations. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to find an attorney to pursue legal action, so try to consult with an attorney as early as possible.

Hire a Skilled Attorney to Maximize Your Recovery

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, your attorney can help you determine what types of damages you might be entitled to recover. Depending on the severity of an automobile accident, your damages may include:

• The cost of medical treatment, surgery, or physical therapy;
• The cost of testing, blood work, X-rays, or other specialized procedures;
• The cost of chiropractic treatment;
• Any lost wages you suffered as a result of the accident;
• The cost of a replacement vehicle;
• The cost of a rental car;
• The cost of prescription medications to reduce your pain; or
• Punitive damages if an insurance company mistreats you or acts in bad faith when dealing with your claim.

Some personal injury lawsuits involve multiple responsible parties who may share the blame for causing your injuries. It may be difficult to determine how much liability should be assigned to each defendant. It can also be difficult to pursue legal action against two parties who are attempting to point the finger at each other for causing an accident. In cases involving multiple defendants, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential to keep the focus on fairly compensating you for your injuries.

The attorneys at Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers have over 3 decades of experience fighting for injured plaintiffs to maximize recovery and help in the healing process. You don’t have to negotiate with large insurance companies by yourself. Don’t let an at-fault driver escape responsibility for causing your injuries. Call us today to Demand More!