If you are involved in a car accident, it is only natural to feel overwhelmed, upset, and even scared. You might be in both physical and emotional pain, yet still need to deal with such practical matters as how to get to work and how to pay your medical bills. A car accident lawyer can relieve a great deal of pressure by acting as your guide throughout the complex process of recovering damages or defending yourself against a lawsuit brought by the other party. Here are five reasons to hire a car accident lawyer.
1. Objectivity and advocacy
Although your car accident might feel like the end of the world to you, it is something that an experienced car accident lawyer deals with every day. Your attorney has the experience and knowledge to remain objective and look at the big picture. He will also serve as your advocate throughout the process, ensuring that you don’t waive any important rights or forfeit compensation that is due to you. Advocacy can include emotional support as well, helping you work through your feelings and make the hard decisions that will maximize your chances for success.
2. Legal knowledge
Car accidents involve big insurance companies with excellent attorneys, deep pockets, and a thorough understanding of how to use the law to their best advantage. As a serious car accident is an extremely rare occurrence in the average person’s life, you are at a tremendous disadvantage. A car accident lawyer is highly familiar with and experienced in this area of the law, and can level the playing field by giving you the information you need to make the decisions that affect your case.
3. Documentation and filing
Each state has a statute of limitations that states how long you have to bring a legal case. If you miss that deadline, you are forever barred from claiming damages. Each pathway toward resolution, from insurance company settlements through trial court, has its own documentation and filing requirements that must be followed to the letter. Working your way through the process can be time-consuming, frustrating, and exhausting. Your car accident lawyer will handle this process for you, allowing you to focus on such practical matters as healing from your injuries and purchasing a new car.
4. Insurance settlement offers
Some insurance companies drag their feet for months, while others are eager to settle quickly, often for much less than you are entitled to. How can you tell if an insurance settlement offer is fair and reasonable? With little knowledge or experience in this area of the law, it can be impossible for you to make this determination. A competent car accident lawyer, however, has the skill and experience to determine whether you should accept an offer. If you decide to decline, your lawyer can do so in a way that does not inadvertently waive your future rights.
5. Lawsuit representation
In many cases, filing a lawsuit is the best way to recover the compensation you deserve. In other cases, the opposing party will file a lawsuit against you. Either way, legal representation is the best way to take on a court battle. Courts have very specific procedures and timelines that are tough for the average person to figure out. In addition, any case can theoretically be settled before it goes to court, but like an insurance settlement offer, not all settlements are fair. A competent car accident attorney will handle the entire process for you and help you decide how to proceed at each critical decision point. If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will argue your case, file relevant motions, and navigate the courtroom proceedings with professionalism and confidence. After a verdict is reached, your attorney will advise you on the best ways to enforce any judgments in your favor or contest any judgments against you.
Bryan P. Stubbs, Attorney at Law, assists clients throughout the Tacoma, WA area. To protect your rights, speak to us as soon as possible after an auto accident. For over 50 years, our office has been helping injured people recover damages following car accidents. We will fight for your rights and secure the best outcome for your auto accident injury claim!
Contact Bryan P. Stubbs today at (253) 383-5891 to schedule a free initial consultation. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, call us today!
