I live in Breaux Bridge but work in Lafayette. Recently, I was on my way to work when I was hit by a car that ran a red light. I am suffering from neck and back pain. At what point should I hire an injury attorney? How much are injury attorney fees?
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you are involved in an auto accident, the first thing you should do is call the police and file an accident report. Your health and well-being are the most important things to consider, so you must focus on getting first responders on the scene. Law enforcement will file a crash report, and paramedics will evaluate your injuries and recommend medical care when necessary.
After your injuries are stable, you should consider hiring an attorney. Most will speak with you when you are still in the hospital or recovering at home for free. They do not generally charge any upfront fees for accident victims.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Hiring an Attorney to Represent You After a Car Accident
Insurance companies may try to take advantage of injured people in the days and weeks following a car accident, but your attorney can stand up to the insurance company and protect your rights as an injured party.
The insurance company may try to trick you into saying something that will hurt you. But once you have retained an attorney, the insurance company cannot speak to you without first obtaining your injury attorney’s permission.
Hiring an injury attorney can help you focus on recovering from your injuries while someone else deals with your pursuit of compensation. Your attorney can help you quickly receive the necessary medical treatment so a doctor can determine the extent of your injuries and develop a proper treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery.
A Common Misconception About Hiring an Injury Attorney in an Auto Accident Case Is that It Is Expensive
Most injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee contract. This means the attorney will pay all the costs and expenses associated with your case upfront. At the end of your case, you will give your attorney a percentage of your total recovery. However, if the attorney cannot recover anything for you, you do not have to pay them any attorneys’ fees! Unlike other lawyers, personal injury attorneys do not ask clients to pay a retainer or hourly fees.
According to the Legal Information Institute (LII), one of the advantages of this arrangement is that it motivates the attorney to work hard for your success because if they do not recover for you, they do not get paid. It also provides the client with a virtually risk-free proposition and makes hiring a lawyer affordable for anyone.
In sum, hiring an attorney immediately may be a good way to protect your rights as the injured party. No matter what the insurance company says, they are not on your side. They want to pay you as little as possible when trying to settle your case.
What Will a Personal Injury Attorney Do for Me?
The steps your car accident attorney will take on your behalf include:
Protecting Your Rights
The reason your law firm will manage all communication with the insurer and other involved parties is two-fold:
- It relieves you of stress
- It protects your right to pursue appropriate compensation
By handling all aspects of a claim, your attorney can effectively reach both of these goals. They know you need to focus on your treatment and healing. At the same time, they know the tactics insurers and defense attorneys use to try to minimize the payout in a case, discredit the victim, or show shared fault, and your lawyer can help you combat these problems.
Building Support for Your Claim
The law firm representing you will investigate what led to your crash, who is responsible, and other details of what happened. They can uncover and analyze strong evidence, building support for your insurance claim or lawsuit. Some types of evidence common in a car accident case include:
- The crash report filed by the police
- Witness accounts
- Your relevant medical records
- Accident reconstruction
- Accident scene survey
- Expert testimony
- Documentation of your injuries and damages
Your attorney will organize and present this evidence in support of your insurance claim or at trial, supporting the demand for fair compensation based on the value of the expenses and losses you incurred.
Moving Forward With Your Case
After your injuries reach maximum medical recovery or your lawyer has a good idea of your prognosis and future medical needs, they will calculate an appropriate settlement range for your claim. They will contact the insurance company representing the at-fault driver and demand a settlement.
The insurer usually responds with a too-low offer, starting settlement negotiations. Most cases reach an agreeable offer, and your attorney wraps up the case at this point.
Occasionally, a lawsuit may be necessary. The attorney will prepare and file the paperwork, officially accusing the driver of causing your accident and injuries. Your lawyer will handle this process, preparing for trial. Unless there is a settlement first, your attorney will present evidence to the jury and ask them for a verdict in your favor. The jury will determine the outcome of your case and the money you receive.
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You Can Get a Free Legal Consultation with an Attorney from Morris Bart, LLC Today
An attorney from the Morris Bart law firm can stand by your side from the beginning to the end of your case to ensure you receive proper medical treatment and fight for proper compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys provide free consultations for victims of negligence accidents. If you were hurt by another person’s careless or reckless actions, we want to talk with you about it today.
Call to speak with an attorney and learn more about your options.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
