Why should I hire an attorney after a car accident?

On your way home from work, a truck side-swiped you. Your car is totaled, and now you’re laid up in bed with a broken leg. You wonder to yourself whether it’s worthwhile to contact an attorney about your case. What’s the benefit?

If you’ve never been in a car accident before, you might be tempted to just contact the insurance company directly and be done with it. However, it’s important to understand that the insurance company is not on your side, and an attorney can handle matters that you likely would not be able to handle on your own. Here are some key benefits:

Potentially greater compensation

When you communicate with the insurance company directly, the insurance adjuster is working for the insurance company’s best interest–not yours. This means the insurance company will make a lowball offer to cover whatever baseline damages you report. Maybe the insurer offers compensation for your totaled car and medical expenses for your broken leg. However, this number may only be a fraction of what you actually need and deserve. A personal injury attorney knows how to negotiate for all of the extra, non-immediate damages as well. This may include specialized medical care, current and future wage loss, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

No fee unless you win

It’s a misconception to think that hiring a personal injury attorney would ever be a waste of money–because you don’t pay your attorney anything unless you get compensation. And because car accident settlements statistically have a much higher payout when an attorney is involved, this represents a financial win for you.

Less stress

Finally, a personal injury attorney can take the complexity and anxiety of your lawsuit off your plate–allowing you to focus on your recovery. During such a stressful time, the decision to put your case in the hands of a professional could prove to be invaluable.