Hiring a personal injury attorney after getting hurt in an accident caused by someone else can be a challenging decision. Many worry about whether they can afford to pay a lawyer to represent them in a personal injury case. If you’re struggling to decide whether to hire someone or pursue compensation yourself, consider the possible outcomes.
Although you can recover an insurance settlement without representation, the payout might be less than you deserve. Most accident victims don’t understand their rights and settle for a number far below the value of their claim. An attorney can accurately calculate full and fair compensation on behalf of their clients.
Hiring someone to help you with your case also simplifies the process. Your attorney can complete every step on your behalf. Handling the process alone is often overwhelming when you’re in pain and trying to recover. Your only responsibility after an accident should be to attend doctor’s appointments and heal.
Below are three reasons you should seriously consider hiring a personal injury lawyer after sustaining injuries in an accident.
The Insurance Company Doesn’t Care About You
You might think the insurance adjuster is on your side and wants to help you recover an adequate settlement. However, their goal is to save money. They want to avoid a significant payout if possible. That means they will investigate the incident for evidence to prove their policyholder isn’t at fault for your injury. They can deny your claim or offer a low settlement if they find proof that your actions contributed to the accident.
When you don’t hire a lawyer to handle settlement negotiations for you, the outcome of your claim will likely be negative. The insurance adjuster can use tactics to complicate the claims process. They might intimidate you into accepting a lower settlement than you deserve or trick you into saying something they can use against you during the claim.
When you hire a lawyer, they will protect your rights and communicate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. You won’t have to worry about making a mistake that reduces the value of your claim. Personal injury attorneys know how to prove liability and fight insurance companies for maximum compensation.
Determining Liability Is Challenging
Determining fault after an accident can be a straightforward process, especially if only one other person is involved. For example, if a speeding driver crashes into your vehicle, they should be liable for your injuries. However, determining liability is more complicated when accidents involve multiple negligent parties.
A truck accident is a common personal injury case requiring a thorough investigation to determine liability. You might think the truck driver is at fault since they were at the wheel of a commercial truck. However, their employer could be liable for hiring the driver without a background check. Or a cargo loading company can be responsible for loading the trailer beyond the maximum weight limit under federal law.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate and gather evidence to establish liability. They can determine whether one or multiple parties should be financially responsible for your injury. They know how to obtain video surveillance footage, accident scene photos, copies of your medical records, and other essential documentation.
Obstacles can arise if the accident victim shares fault for an accident. Under modified comparative negligence, a jury can reduce a plaintiff’s compensation if the plaintiff is partially responsible for the accident. A personal injury attorney can protect the plaintiff’s rights and seek the money owed to them if they share less than 51 percent of the blame for the accident.
Access to Beneficial Resources
Multiple resources can benefit a personal injury case. However, accident victims often don’t have access to those resources. Many don’t know where to look for evidence or the documentation necessary to prove who should be liable for an accident.
Personal injury lawyers can hire expert witnesses to build a case against the negligent party. They might ask an accident reconstruction specialist to provide their expert opinion on how the incident occurred to prove someone else is at fault. They can also obtain statements from medical providers about how your injury affects your job, routine, and other aspects of your life.
Your attorney might also locate eyewitnesses and get their statements. Witnesses can support your version of events and strengthen your case against the negligent party. Security camera footage, accident scene photos, and other evidence are also helpful in proving you are entitled to compensation.
Get Help with Your Personal Injury Case
At The Yates Firm, we have extensive experience representing Myrtle Beach clients in personal injury cases. You can count on our legal team to deal with the insurance company so you can focus on treating your injury and getting your life back on track.
If you sustained injuries in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, call the Myrtle Beach personal injury attorneys of The Yates Firm at (843) 692-3237 for a free consultation with a dedicated personal injury lawyer.
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