Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney on Your Side

 Posted on September 06, 2017 in Personal Injury

When you have been hurt in a car accident, a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, or any other type of incident, your first priority should be making a full physical recovery if at all possible. Of course, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to collect compensation for your injuries from the party who caused or allowed the accident to happen. While there is no legal requirement for you to hire a personal injury attorney following an accident, doing so could be the key to getting the money you need to put your life back together.

Analyze the Situation

If your accident left you with a few bumps and bruises and relatively minor damage to your property—common in minor fender-benders—you might be able to navigate filing an insurance claim on your own. While the insurance company may still try to offer you a lowball settlement, there are not very many uncertainties to be addressed. However, if your accident totaled your car, put you in the hospital for a few days, and caused long-lasting injuries that will affect you for years to come, you should probably call a lawyer. An attorney is also useful if the insurance company refuses to pay, regardless of the severity of the accident.

Investigation and Organization

Your focus after an accident should be to get better, not trying to figure out who was at fault or how much you owe in medical bills because of someone else’s negligence. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, your attorney will conduct a careful review of the circumstance surrounding your injuries. He or she can help you determine who may have been at fault—sometimes, more than one party could be liable—and how to go about getting the compensation you deserve.

A personal injury lawyer can also help you keep track of any costs or expenses you have incurred as the result of your accident. This not only allows for an accurate accounting of current costs but also a reasonable estimate of your future needs, which is a very important element of any settlement negotiations.

Experience and History

Filing a claim and working with insurance companies on your own can be intimidating. A personal injury attorney, however, is extremely familiar with how such companies work and is not afraid to fight on your behalf. Your attorney will also have knowledge beyond your particular case. For example, he or she may have handled cases with similar circumstances to yours in the past, giving him or her insight into what your case might be worth if it were to go to trial. Such knowledge and experience are critical in negotiating a fair settlement.

Having an attorney in your corner will also keep the playing field level. Insurance companies and other businesses have lawyers working to help them avoid paying claims and accepting full responsibility. You should have a professional protecting your best interests too. With a lawyer on your side, insurance companies are much less likely to try to take advantage of you during negotiations.

Call Us Today

If you have been injured in any type of accident, contact a skilled San Jose personal injury attorney to discuss your case. Call 408-293-7777 for a free consultation with Attorney John J. Garvey III, and get the answers you need to whatever questions you may have.

Sources:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/7-smart-things-to-do-immediately-after-an-accident_b_11947766.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2013/01/07/when-to-call-a-lawyer-and-when-to-walk-away-from-the-phone/