Why You Should Hire an Attorney After an Accident

Many times, a person who has been in an accident considers negotiating directly with the party responsible for causing the accident or an insurance company without the assistance of an attorney, but this is a serious mistake. There are many reasons why the assistance of an attorney can be invaluable, but here are a few:

  • Time is of the Essence
    There is a very short window of time to pursue a legal action after an accident. The time does not get extended while negotiations are underway with an insurance company or other party. A skilled attorney is going to know when the case must be filed in order to preserve a person’s legal rights. If an action is not filed in a timely manner, the right to bring a legal case is lost forever. There are many different problems that can be avoided if an attorney is brought into the process early.
  • An Attorney Knows the Law
    An action or claim to recover for injuries and damages resulting from an accident is a process that involves complying with relevant laws and procedures that may affect your case, many times including navigating the court system. There are proper procedures that guide each step, from submitting a claim to an insurance company to filing a lawsuit. Even the process of commencing a lawsuit with the court requires specific procedures to be followed. An attorney will ensure that your case is handled properly.
  • Damages May be Tough to Quantify
    A person who has been injured in an accident will likely have medical bills, lost wages, and other damages relating to the accident, but there are many damages that are harder to calculate. An experienced attorney understands how to look at the wide range of damages, including the cost of future medical treatment, loss of ability to earn money in the future, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and even emotional distress in certain cases. There are many damages that might be lost without the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.
  • Liability Must be Proven
    Although it may be obvious to you that the other party was responsible for the harm that you suffered, it is necessary to build a case to demonstrate the other person’s fault. An attorney understands what evidence and support is necessary to recover against the party responsible for causing the accident.
  • The Settlement Process is Not Straightforward
    When negotiating a settlement, there are many different issues that must be navigated. Insurance representatives are skilled in pressuring and injured party to accept a quick settlement that is much less than the actual damages suffered by the injured party. An attorney can help you understand the implications of accepting a settlement offer. It is important to realize that accepting a settlement offer means that you will lose the right to seek any additional recovery from that party for your injuries in the future damages. Once a settlement agreement has been signed by all parties, the right to proceed to trial against that party is no longer an option.
  • Gathering the Necessary Evidence is Crucial
    Throughout the litigation process, there is an exchange of information that is used to build the case necessary to prove each element of your claim or cause of action. Some information is harder to discover, but a skilled personal injury attorney knows what questions to ask witnesses and what documents to seek in order to build a strong case.
  • An Attorney Advocates on Your Behalf
    For many people involved in an accident, the process of recovering for their injuries is long and arduous. An attorney will fight for your rights while you focus on getting better is crucial to getting through the aftermath of an accident in the best position possible. An attorney will ensure that you understand each step and feel comfortable with the decisions that are being made.

An accident leaves devastation in its wake. Having the right attorney can make the recovery process far less stressful than trying to manage the process on your own. The Marin Law Offices is committed to getting the best possible outcome for its clients. For a free consultation, call us today.