Published on:

Should You Hire a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Case?

by

car_accident_lawyer_atlanta

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, individuals are involved in car accidents every minute, and 5.25 million driving accidents occur annually. You may be innocent of causing an accident but are involved in one nonetheless. Does every car accident require involved parties to hire a lawyer? Find out when a lawyer can make a difference in your car accident case.

Where Does Your Situation Land?

Property Damage- Generally speaking, if the accident only involved damage to your vehicle and personal effects and does not involve personal injuries, you will not require the assistance of a legal representative. The opposing insurance adjuster will come to a settlement with you. You are entitled to:

  • Money to repair your car.
  • Funds to replace your car if the vehicle is totaled.
  • The use of a rental vehicle during the period for which your car is being repaired or replaced.

Shop around for a few quotes from reputable repair shops and compare them to the amount offered by the insurance adjuster. You may need to replace your vehicle. Fair market value of a vehicle can be found in sources such as the Kelly Blue Book.

Minor Injury– If you have minor injuries as a result of a car accident caused by another driver, it is time to review the recovery time from injuries. If you will recover in full from your injuries in a few days, an attorney is typically unnecessary. Medical bills are generally under $1,000. It is possible to educate yourself and negotiate with the insurance adjuster to make sure all of your medical expenses are covered. There are books and resources online that serve as self-help guides for victims of car accidents.

Major Injury– Extensive negotiation skills will be necessary if you’ve sustained major injuries from a car accident caused by another driver. Lawyers understand the types of fair settlement that you can expect based on their experience and precedent cases. It will be more difficult for the average person to evaluate the full damages, the impact that a lengthy recovery period will have on their job and finances and lingering medical issues that may make a partial recovery the only option. An Insurance Resource Council study found that people who sought legal representation received settlements that on average were 3.5 times higher than settlements for those individuals without a lawyer.

What Do I Do Now?

Call a lawyer for your car accident case if you want to know more about your rights as a victim and negotiate with insurance companies about your major injuries. Many who have sustained a life-altering injury cannot go back to work and have to manage life-long pain and seek ongoing medical attention. McAleer Law, your personal injury lawyers in Atlanta, use their expertise to help you understand your options and receive due compensation. Contact McAleer Law at 404.MCALEER to speak about your case today.