More than three million people are hurt yearly due to automobile accidents. Two million people injured in auto accidents will have chronic pain for the rest of their lives. If you can settle your vehicle accident claim quickly, you can put your attention back on healing.
But if you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering if hiring a car accident attorney is essential. Learn the ins and outs of settling an automobile accident claim on your own so you can do what’s right for you and your wallet. You are recommended reading this article for help.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Hire an Attorney to Represent You in a Car Accident Claim
Although you may feel the need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident, this is not always necessary.
Reasons you might not need a lawyer for your vehicle accident claim include:
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Were you not hurt in any way?
Not everyone gets hurt in a car crash. More than 4.8 million crashes in the United States in 2019 solely caused property damage.
Most lawyers specializing in vehicle accidents will advise you it’s not worth hiring them if your injuries are minimal and you’ll be OK after a few days of rest and medical attention.
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You feel no urgency to do something about the mishap because it was so trivial
A minor collision may have resulted in damaged paint or a dented bumper. You probably don’t need a lawyer to handle a claim with the insurance company if the accident merely results in minor cosmetic damages that you don’t want to take the time to remedy.
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You are an expert on your insurance policy
Unfortunately, not everyone knows about auto insurance policies and how to make the most of them. However, perhaps you do. You might save money by handling the car insurance claim process on your own, without a lawyer, if you are familiar with the policy’s provisions and know how to make the most of them.
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You can take care of the claim on your own if you prefer
You could feel confident in your ability to manage your car accident claim, depending on the specifics of your situation. Of course, not every case involving a car crash can be solved with a simple online search, but others are far simpler and don’t require an attorney’s services.
Khattar Law, PC specializes in various areas, such as auto accidents, child and adult disability claims, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, and more. With their expertise and experience, the lawyers are known for helping more than 25,000 clients.
I was in a car accident; how can I handle the claim without hiring a lawyer?
You may not need a lawyer to settle your vehicle accident claim if any of the above apply to your case. While it may be possible to settle a claim for damages after an automobile accident without hiring legal representation, there are some considerations you should keep in mind.
How much money have you lost?
One of the trickiest aspects of a vehicle accident settlement is determining the total value of your claim. The monetary value of an accident depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, the time off work, and other intangibles.
If you want to know how much money you’re entitled to after an accident, you need to take a bird’s eye view of all the costs you’ve incurred since the incident. All of these things are included:
- Cost of medical care
- Wage Losses
- Automobile maintenance and replacement
Take the Insurance Adjuster Seriously, and Be Ready to Talk to Them
Many people find keeping calm when conversing with a vehicle insurance adjuster challenging. It’s frustrating when the automobile insurance company’s settlement falls short of your losses. However, your ability to listen to the insurance company, take notes on what they are willing to pay, and formulate a plan for future negotiations will determine the success of your claim.
Next, think about what you’ll need to spend down the road. You may have experienced a drop in income due to temporary disability or the inability to return to a previous position.
Damage assessments are often best approached with an optimistic estimate and subsequent negotiations. If you undervalue your losses at the outset of the claim, you may find it difficult to recover all of them.
Send a Demand Letter and Begin Discussions
The vehicle insurance adjuster’s offer is the starting point for negotiations; from there, you can craft your demand letter, outlining why the offer is inadequate and why you deserve a larger payment.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t get the money you need after sending a demand letter. The insurance company will realize that you mean business and are prepared to battle for the payment you deserve, so think of it as round one of the fight.
Sort Out If Going To Court Is Worth It
All parties involved in a car accident or personal injury case usually settle out of court to avoid paying the high legal fees associated with taking the case to trial. If you’ve recently been in a car accident, this is something to think about as you handle your insurance claim.
You could lose in court and pay the other driver’s legal bills if you want to pursue this further
Do your best to stay out of court. If you find yourself in court, however, you can rest assured that the judge will listen to your side of the story before deciding whether or not the affordable auto insurance company’s offer was adequate.
Assuming you’re satisfied with the settlement offer (made by the court or insurance company, respectively), you can move on to the next step and officially close your claim. You have exhausted your legal remedies and are no longer entitled to further payments or court action.
Conclusion
After an accident, the first thing on your mind is probably cost-cutting measures. You can start presenting your case without an attorney’s help now that you know how to settle a car accident claim, but that doesn’t mean you should.
