Even though dozens of accidents get extensive media coverage every day, many people still believe that their chances of being involved in one are pretty slim. However, even if you are driving at 40 miles/hour in a residential area or just walking your dog around the neighbourhood, a rogue driver may slam into you at any moment. Similarly, you may suddenly sustain serious injuries due to faulty equipment while minding your own business at work. And, let’s not forget about slip and fall accidents that seem to happen out of the blue.
Some think that hiring a lawyer in these situations is just a waste of money, but I beg to differ. If you are contemplating the merits of employing expert legal help and are not sure whether it is worth it, check out the following few ways an attorney can help you after an accident.
Offering advice
Legal matters can be too intricate and perplexing for average people, and in most cases, this can cost them their rights. Just think about it; how can you defend your rights if you do not understand the ins and outs of laws and regulations? In fact, your inexperience may not only cost you your rights, but it can also put you at fault, especially if the other party has expert legal representation by their side. We’ve all heard stories about perpetrators that promised claimants of settling matters amicably outside of court and convinced them to forgo filing a police report, only to get out of the whole mess unscathed without paying a penny. If you decide to hire a lawyer, on the other hand, they will be there for you every step of the way, advising you about intricacies like statutes of limitations and protecting your best interests by preventing you from signing any documents that lead you to waive your rights.
Curate Evidence
Not collecting evidence is usually one of the mistakes people make after being in an accident. It may sound simple enough; you just need to snap a few photos of the scene and your injuries, if you have any, and you are done, right? Well, unfortunately, it is not that simple. The evidence you think constitutes solid grounds for a lawsuit may eventually get dismissed as circumstantial if not represented right. Moreover, collecting evidence on your own might not be practical, especially if you are indisposed due to the medical repercussions of the accident or just busy dealing with other damages. In this case, your attorney can act as your advocate, collecting crucial documents, and building a strong case on your behalf. This way, you can take care of what is important: your physical and mental health.
Negotiating with insurance companies
There is a good reason why most people hate filing compensation claims; insurers just make it extremely hard to receive the reimbursement you are owed. This is exactly the case in some areas in the United States. Seasoned attorneys working at a personal injury law firm in Denver explain that whether it is your own insurance company or the other party’s, chances are that they will find a loophole to pay you less than what you deserve. This is not to say that insurance is just one big scam, but dealing with insurers requires a good deal of legal understanding, which most average Joes and Janes lack. While it might be your first time dealing with a cumbersome compensation claim, your lawyer has tackled dozens, if not hundreds, of similar cases before. So, they are better able to represent evidence to the insurer in question, estimate the value of your claim, and prevent the insurer from skimping on your payment.
Representing you in court
Luckily, most compensation claims end up being settled outside of court, but we still should not discount the few cases in which litigation becomes the only option. If worse comes to worst, and you find yourself in court, your lawyer will help you brush up on your court etiquette and practice how you should give your statement to solidify your position. There is nothing worse than going to court unprepared, and hiring an attorney will allow you to avoid any embarrassment and ensure that you come out of it victorious.
Final thoughts
After an accident, you will have many documents to collect and numerous details to take care of, which can understandably prove too overwhelming. The wisest thing to do in this situation is to hire a lawyer to handle everything on your behalf. You do not even have to pay out of your pocket to cover your attorney’s fees, as you will find many working on a pro bono basis, not to mention that most conventional personal injury lawyers do not ask for any money unless you win the case and get your compensation.
Helen Bradfield did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
