Getting a lawyer after an accident may be a smart move, depending on the type of accident, the amount of damage, and the severity of injuries. Handling an accident case on your own could be problematic while you’re trying to recover from injuries. A lawyer can make some things easier while you recover.
When You Should Call A Lawyer
Ideally, you should call a lawyer shortly after your accident, particularly if it is an accident with injuries.
Unfortunately, emergency medical bills and related medical treatment costs will become evident and you likely will be concerned about paying these expenses. Additional expenses, what we call damages, can be noticed by an attorney, such as lost pay if you are missing work while you are injured. Having an attorney will help you get compensation for your losses, avoid liability for the accident, and protect your rights during this part of the process.
Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind and will work to avoid paying any compensation or if they pay, they will want to pay the minimum compensation to you. They are experts in personal injury law and know most people don’t understand personal injury and other related laws. That call from a friendly adjuster offering to make you a settlement for what they call “fair value” may be anything but. They may be offering a lowball settlement that won’t cover everything and tell you there isn’t enough evidence to prove negligence or may even insist that the accident was your fault.
According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims with legal counsel recover an average of 3½ times more than someone who self-represents. If you haven’t called a lawyer when being offered a settlement, now is the time to do so. Rather than talking with the insurance adjuster, let the lawyer do that on your behalf.
An Attorney Can Tell You If You Need to Negotiate for More
Not all accidents need a lawyer, especially if the claim’s value is small. But meeting with a lawyer to discuss your accident is helpful, to determine if there’s a case. You won’t know until you ask.
For instance, if your car accident only involved minor vehicle damage without injuries, a lawyer may be overkill and not worth anyone’s time. Getting the cost of repairing your car or getting money to buy a new one may be all that Is needed to make you whole again. However, you may have suffered a permanent disability, such as a bad back which may plague you for years. A good personal injury lawyer, like West Virginia personal injury lawyer Chad Love, may have some advice for such a possibility.
Remember even if you think you weren’t injured, you should seek immediate medical attention. It’s best to be examined after an accident as some injuries may not be physically visible. Without a doctor’s exam, you may not realize you have an injury that could manifest later.
The Love Law Firm Can Help With Your Personal Injury Case
We’ve been helping West Virginians for over 25 years with all types of personal injuries. From auto accidents to slips and falls, medical malpractice, mining accidents, and everything in between, we’ve helped thousands of West Virginians with personal injury cases. Calling a lawyer after an accident is important and we can help evaluate your case, potential expenses, and realistic compensation.
If you’ve been involved in a personal injury accident case in West Virginia and need help, contact us at The Love Law Firm, or call us at (304) 344-5683. Your consultation is free, and we only collect if we win your case.
