Americans love do-it-yourself projects. If you’re building a deck, it’s probably fine to go it alone. But if you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, handling the case without a lawyer could be a costly mistake.
Maybe lawyer “jokes” from movies and television have made you wary of lawyers. Perhaps you’re concerned about saving money. But when it comes to your legal rights after a car accident, there is really no good reason to deal with the insurance company alone or step into court without a lawyer at your side. Here are 7 reasons why you should hire an Alabama personal injury lawyer.
Reason #1 – To Benefit from a Lawyer’s Knowledge of Law and the Legal System
Unless you attended law school, it’s safe to assume that a car crash attorney knows more about Alabama law and the legal issues involved in your case. Even simple personal injury cases can involve complex legal questions such as:
– When should this case be filed? (Lawyers call this the statute of limitations.)
– In which court should this case be filed? (Personal injury attorneys use terms like “jurisdiction” and “venue.”)
– Who should be sued? The driver? The owner of the car? Someone else?
These are just a few of the questions that experienced Alabama personal injury lawyers confront every day. They may seem simple but answering any of these questions incorrectly could, at best, delay your case and at worst, destroy your claim completely.
Lawyers might also see things that you cannot. For example, if the accident caused serious injury and your doctor made mistakes, you might also have a medical malpractice claim. If your car malfunctioned, you might have a product liability claim in addition to a personal injury claim. Your personal injury lawyer can also handle such matters or refer you to another lawyer who can help.
Finally, if your case should go to trial, would you be prepared to handle it? Could you file the proper motions? Do you know how to select a jury? Could you convince 12 people to return a jury verdict in your favor? A trial lawyer can do all of these things. They may seem simple on television, but trials are complex. Legal representation is a must for the courtroom.
These are just a few reasons to hire an auto accident attorney.
Reason #2 – To Make it a Fair Fight
Insurance companies have armies of attorneys just looking for reasons to deny your claim. If your case goes to court, the other driver will most likely have a lawyer as well.
Allowing the other side to have the benefit of legal knowledge and experience while you are still learning basic legal terms is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. You can turn the odds in your favor by hiring an Alabama personal injury lawyer.
Reason #3 – To Get Help Dealing with Insurance Companies
This cannot be said enough: The insurance company is not your friend. The insurance company’s business model is based on avoiding payouts on insurance claims. So, insurance adjusters are always looking for reasons – any reason – to deny your insurance claim. A car accident lawyer with knowledge of insurance company tactics can help you handle insurance disputes.
Lawyers can also help with more complex insurance issues. For example, if the driver who hit you was uninsured or underinsured, you may not know how to proceed but an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer will.
Reason #4 – To Find the Facts
In a court of law, nothing is a fact unless it can be proven. Proof usually comes from live testimony, recorded statements, or documents. In claims based on auto accidents, getting information from witnesses, doctors, employers, and anyone else who might have facts that are relevant to your case is essential.
Alabama personal injury lawyers use a process called discovery to find out these facts. Discovery can be used to make the other driver testify under oath before trial or to get access to driving histories and other vital documents. If you don’t know how to use the discovery process, you should hire someone who does.
Reason #5 – To Get a Fair Evaluation of Your Case
A common question for those injured in car accidents is, “How much is my case worth?” There is no simple answer. While a case involving a more serious injury (like a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury) will likely be worth more than one involving a less serious injury, the worth of a case is determined by many different factors. Having someone on your team who can give you a fair and honest assessment of your case is invaluable. That knowledge will guide you during settlement negotiations and beyond.
Reason #6 – To Maximize Your Settlement
Speaking of settlements, personal injury attorneys can make a big difference in the possibility – and the amount – of a settlement offer. A recent study found that people representing themselves in personal injury cases received an average settlement of $17,600. Meanwhile, the average settlement for those who hired attorneys was $77,600. That’s quite a difference. The same study found that attorneys get their clients some form of compensation in 91% of cases. Without an attorney, that number dropped to 51%. So, without legal representation, your chance of recovery is cut in half.
In short, without an attorney, your odds of recovering damages for medical bills and other expenses are about the same as flipping a coin. Turn the odds back in your favor by hiring an Alabama personal injury lawyer who knows personal injury law.
Reason #7 – To Maximize Your Damages
Finally, a car crash attorney can help you maximize your damages. No attorney can guarantee you any particular outcome or amount of compensation. But attorneys increase your damages by knowing which types of damages to request. You might know that you can get compensation for your medical bills and property damage. But did you know that you can also be awarded damages for things like
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of consortium,
- Wrongful death,
- Lost wages,
- Lost future earning potential, and
- Punitive damages.
An attorney can review the facts of your case and determine which types of damages to pursue. Without legal help, you may be leaving money on the table.
Do you need an Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’re injured, you only get one shot to settle your case or go to court. If you try to handle your case on your own, you might miss out on damages that you are entitled to receive.
Instead of going it alone, get an Alabama personal injury lawyer on your side. Here at Collins Law, LLC, our personal injury legal team handles all types of vehicle accidents from car crashes to trucking accidents. We’re proudly based in Birmingham Alabama, but we help clients throughout Alabama. We can help with insurance claims, insurance disputes, settlement offers, and many other issues related to your personal injury claim. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Click here or call (205) 881-0403 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.