When someone else's actions lead to your injuries, that person is considered to be negligent. If those injuries led to costs such as medical bills and lost wages, then you might want to consider filing a personal injury case. After all, most personal injury cases hinge on proving negligence. Your first step will be to contact a personal injury attorney, but before you do that, you might want to browse this website and learn a little more about personal injury law and personal injury attorneys, in general. We've provided plenty of helpful articles to ensure you are well-informed, so start reading.
No Fault Auto Accidents: Why You Should Still Hire An Auto Accident Attorney
Many areas of the country have begun adopting what are known as no fault auto accident laws. The purpose of these laws is to cut down on the number of accident related cases that are brought before the court. In order to accomplish this goal, no fault laws typically require that each party in an accident is required to file a claim with their own insurance company in order to receive compensation for any property damage, as well as an injuries. Unfortunately, since fault is not a factor in these cases many people think this means they no longer need to hire an auto accident attorney to represent them after being injured in an accident. The truth however, is that it is often more important to hire an accident attorney if you live in an area with no fault laws. The information in this article can help you to better understand why these legal services are so important.
Auto Accident Attorneys Know What Your Claim Is Worth
Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of settling your own accident claim is determining how much your claim is really worth. While you may be able to easily determine the value of your damaged vehicle or the amount of your medical bills, determining how much compensation you are entitled to for things such as pain and suffering can be much harder. Oftentimes people allow the insurance company to convince them that their claim is worth far less than it really is. This can lead to people accepting low end settlement offers. This is not likely to happen if you are represented by a reputable auto accident attorney. These lawyers know exactly what your claim is worth, and are able to aggressively pursue your claim against the insurance company to ensure they pay you what you really deserve.
Create A Level Playing Field
While the insurance company will do their best to convince you that they are on your side, it is important to remember that like any business, car insurance companies are in business to make money. In order to accomplish this goal it is essential that they are able to settle claims for as little money as possible. To help them accomplish this goal, insurance companies maintain a team of experienced lawyers who are able to advise them regarding each settlement. Hiring an attorney to represent you allows you to create a level playing field and sends a clear message to the insurance company that you will not allow yourself to be taken advantage of.
Ensure You Have Exhausted Every Recourse
While no fault laws may require you to file a claim against your own insurance policy, this does not necessarily mean that your only recourse for recovering damages is this insurance claim. In some cases, the law will allow you to file a lawsuit against the other driver or against a third party. For example, if your accident was caused by dangerous road conditions, you may also be able to seek compensation from the city. An experienced accident attorney will be able to determine all potential sources of compensation in your particular case so that you do not end up walking away with money on the table.
For more information, contact an auto accident attorney in your area.