After an accident that was not your fault, all decisions can seem overwhelming. If you wait too long or make the wrong moves, however, you could damage your ability to be compensated. To help you make the legal representation decision, consider the following red flags you should note when speaking to a personal injury lawyer.
Sometimes, a letter on a lawyer's letterhead is enough to get your claim moving. If an insurance claim for medical expenses or other losses is denied, then letters that let the insurer know you have representation can also help with issues like:
Being accused of having a part in an accident is a serious matter. You might end up being held liable for some damages if you don't fight the claim. In a related issue, if the accident involved several vehicles, such as with a chain reaction crash, you might end up being sued by the driver you hit. This calls for legal help to ensure you are not held liable for any damages.
Additionally, a request from the other driver's insurance company for your medical records is troubling. They might be trying to show that you were already suffering from medical issues from a previous accident or medical condition.
If your injuries were bad enough to cause a trip to the doctor, then you should consider the implications. Some medical issues only get worse with time and you may need continuing treatment in the future. The only way to make sure you get the compensation you need to cover that treatment is by taking legal action. Also, if you are injured in such a way that you can no longer earn an income, your compensation is that much more important.
The insurance company will offer you a settlement once it becomes clear that their client was at fault. Be very cautious about how you deal with this. Don't sign anything without talking to a lawyer. Once you deposit or cash the check, you cannot go back and undo things. Do not agree to speak to the other driver's insurer. Instead, speak to a personal injury lawyer. They know how much you should be paid for your damages and they understand the art of negotiating for that money.
Contact a firm, such as Borbi Clancy Patrizi, LLC, for more information.
Share27 October 2020
Did you know that many personal injury and car accident cases do not even end up being heard in front of a judge or jury? That's because most defendants would rather settle out of court so that they do not have to go through the expense and annoyance of a lengthy court battle. Personal injury attorneys need to be prepared for this. In addition to being ready to defend their clients in court, they need to be skilled negotiators. As you can see, this is a job that requires many diverse skills! Learn more about those skills, and about personal injury attorneys in general, right here on this site.