Car accident victims often have a wide variety of questions regarding their need to hire a lawyer when filing a claim with the insurance company. Below, you can find the answers to several of these frequently asked questions. However, it is important to remember that the facts will vary from case to case, so it is always best to consult a car accident lawyer for case-specific answers to your questions.
Will It Take Longer To Settle Your Claim If You Hire A Lawyer?
People are often anxious to settle their personal injury claims and begin the process of putting their accident behind them. An experienced car accident attorney will understand this desire and do all they can to settle your claim as quickly as possible. While this process may not be quite as quick as simply accepting the first low-ball offer the insurance company makes, it is certainly worth the extra time to ensure you are getting the compensation that you are actually entitled to under the law.
Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help If You Are Partially At Fault?
The answer to this question will depend upon the amount of fault which you have been assigned. If you are assigned less than 50% of the fault for causing the accident, you will still be eligible to seek damages, and a car accident lawyer may be able to help you recover these damages, depending upon the specific facts in your case.
What Type Of Damages Can A Car Accident Lawyer Recover?
You may be entitled to compensation for two different types of damages when filing a personal injury claim. The first set of damages is often referred to as actual or economic damages. These damages represent any actual financial losses that occurred as the result of the accident. These losses can include medical bills, the cost of equipment needed to accommodate the recovery process, and lost wages.
The second set of damages is referred to as punitive or non-economic damages. These damages cover losses that are subjective in nature, such as your pain and suffering or loss of quality of life. Hiring a car accident lawyer is often most useful when discussing this second set of damages since they cannot be easily defined in dollar amounts.
Will You Have To Go To Court If You Choose To Hire A Lawyer?
A reputable car accident lawyer will always try to settle your claim with the insurance company before filing a lawsuit that may require you to appear in court. However, there is no way to guarantee that a lawsuit will not ultimately need to be filed in order to collect damages.