Question: The other driver’s insurance company accepted fault for an accident I was in. Do I still need to hire a lawyer?
Answer: Even if the other driver’s insurance adjuster accepts fault for a car accident, the majority of the time, hiring an attorney is still a smart option. Even after the attorney’s fees are deducted from the settlement, you will likely still end up with more money in your pocket. In fact, the majority of cases that personal injury lawyers handle are rear-end collisions, where it’s almost always certain that the driver in the rear vehicle was at fault.
The truth is, you have no idea what the value of your case is actually worth, which is why it’s advantageous to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your accident claim, even when liability is not disputed.
The insurance adjuster will try to take advantage of you in order to get you to accept a low ball settlement offer. After all, that’s the adjuster’s job, to get you to walk away for as little money as possible. The job of a personal injury lawyer is to get you the maximum amount of money in your pocket. A good lawyer will make that happen by ensuring the following things:
- Identify all possible defendants and all insurance policies that might apply to your accident
- You receive treatment from proper medical providers so that all of your injuries are diagnosed
- There are no delays or gaps in your medical treatment
- All medical documentation (records and bills) have been provided to the adjuster
- Proper documentation of future accident-related medical bills
- Documentation of your lost wages have been provided to the adjuster
- Information about your pain and suffering has been received by the adjuster
Additionally, after your case has settled, your attorney will negotiate with your medical providers in order to get them to reduce your medical bills, with 100% of the savings going to you. If your health insurance carrier paid for any of your accident-related treatment, the health insurance carrier will want to be paid back out of the settlement amount. Your attorney will also be able to negotiate with your health insurance carrier to get them to reduce their reimbursement claim.
The value of a personal injury case is not set in stone, and all settlement amounts are subject to negotiation. An experienced personal injury lawyer will build your case to get you the maximum value. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, whether it’s a car accident or any other incident where someone else is at fault for your injuries, you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
At McGee, Lerer & Associates, we offer free case consultations with our team of lawyers. Schedule your consultation today to discuss why you’d be better off hiring an attorney than going it alone. After you hear what we have to say, you can make an informed decision about your case.
Contact our Pasadena car accident attorneysto find out what we can do for you.