When To Get Lawyer After Car Accident?
When to Get a Lawyer After Car Accident?
If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering when to get a lawyer. Getting legal advice immediately after an accident is essential. Often, insurance companies will offer you a lowball settlement. If you have been injured or have suffered damages, it is best to contact a lawyer to maximize your claim. Read on to learn more about the cost of hiring a lawyer after a car accident.
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Insurance companies often offer low-ball settlements
An insurance company’s offer is typically much lower than the actual value of your claim. When you accept a lowball offer, you sign away your right to pursue additional compensation. After all, insurance companies will never reopen your claim after accepting a lowball offer. They will do all they can to justify the lowball amount. So how do you get the most out of your claim?
Insurance companies will usually try to argue that you were partially or completely at fault for the accident. The truth is, however, that the insurance company has to pay out the injuries they caused. If the accident wasn’t your fault, they won’t have to pay anything. So, the best course of action is to hire aggressive representation from the start. You’ll need a car accident attorney who is familiar with the law and knows how to negotiate with insurers.
Importance of contacting a lawyer after a car accident
The importance of contacting a lawyer after a car accident can’t be overstated. Injuries from a car accident are often severe, but it may take hours to notice the full effects of a whiplash injury. This can make it difficult to determine who was at fault. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident can make the difference between receiving a fair settlement or being unable to recover compensation at all.
After an accident, it is important to collect documentation. If possible, take pictures of the accident site. Take note of any witnesses’ names and contact information. Ask their permission to record their statement on video. Eyewitnesses’ statements are often important in a car crash case because they are considered neutral parties. A licensed lawyer can interview witnesses on your behalf. In addition to gathering documents, written statements and pictures of the scene will help your case.
Cost of hiring a lawyer after a car accident
While you’re in the process of evaluating the costs associated with hiring a lawyer, you should know that there are several benefits to hiring one. Unlike most other types of attorneys, car accident lawyers do not charge upfront fees. Instead, they take a percentage of any settlement or jury award they win on your behalf. That means that they are dedicated to pursuing the highest compensation for you. A car accident lawyer will also put your interests above their own, and work as a team with you to obtain the best results.
Generally speaking, the fees associated with hiring a lawyer after a car accident are between 33 percent and 40 percent of the total amount of damages you recover. These fees vary according to the law firm you choose and the complexity of your case. If you settle your case quickly, you may end up paying less than the average. However, if the case drags out for a long time, your lawyer will likely charge a higher percentage.
Getting legal advice after a car accident
Insurance companies will do everything possible to limit your claim value after a car accident, including denying responsibility for the collision and trying to pressure you into accepting a lowball offer. It’s vital to proceed as though your case is going to trial, as even if the insurance company stands by its claim, it’s possible that you could still be denied the full value of your case. It’s crucial to seek legal advice after a car accident so you can protect yourself.
First, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company, but you may want to retain an attorney’s help to track down the other driver’s assets and maximize your settlement. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in New York is three years from the date of the crash. If you have sustained serious injuries, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible to preserve your case’s validity.