Should you ever be involved in a car accident as a victim, there are some things must do right after the crash. You have to collect information, seek medical help, call your insurance company, talk to witnesses, take pictures of the incident, and so on.
However, when you talk about the legal aspect of the car accident, few are more important than working with an auto accident attorney. And why, you may ask? Without a doubt, there are several benefits that you can only get from a legal expert.
Defense Against the Insurance Company
Remember that insurance firms are always watching their bottom line, which means paying as small amounts as possible for any injuries obtained in auto accident cases. With a lawyer by your side, you can prove that you deserve maximum compensation.
Proper Handling of the Legal Process (Especially Evidence)
Vehicular accident cases have a statute of limitations that dictate how long after the incident you, the victim, can file a claim. A lawyer can certainly help you meet such deadlines while preparing the necessary paperwork and information.
Access to Legal Resources
Lawyers have instant access to expert witnesses – medical professionals, for instance, and others who can give your case a boost. These are resources that might not be available to you without their help.
Legal Process Education
As you may know, the legal system is complicated, and there are several issues to look into when seeking compensation from a car accident injury. Hence, you need someone with professional knowledge and experience so you can have a strong chance at a positive resolution.
Contingency Fee Arrangement
A lot of people skip hiring a car accident lawyer because they think they can’t afford the fees and all. In reality, these attorneys often charge clients a “contingency fee. This means you will pay them after you receive your compensation, and if you don’t, you pay them nothing. The percentage you pay the lawyer depends on certain limits imposed by the state (which also varies from one state to another), but this would be around 25% to 40% of the total sum you get. So if you have a 25% contingency fee arrangement and you receive $100,000 as compensation for your car accident injuries, your attorney will receive $25,000.
There are states in which percentages shift based on what stage your case is in and the total sum that you recovered. Whether the defendant has or hasn’t responded to your complaint in court is also a factor that can affect the fee. If the case resolves before there is a response from the defendant in court, this percentage is often lower. However, if you reach a settlement after the defendant has formally responded to the complaint or if the case is already in court by that time, the allowed percentage can be raised.
