3 Reasons To Hire An Attorney, Even When Settling Out Of Court
Being involved in a severe auto accident can be a life-changing event. Not only do you end up losing your car in the wreck, but you're also left with serious injuries and the medical bills for your ongoing recovery, not to mention the trauma associated with the accident. You deserve compensation for your injuries as well as for your pain and suffering, but it can take months or even years for a trial to produce an actual payout.
Instead of seeing your injury claim through in the courts, you may instead opt for a quick settlement outside of court. An out-of-court settlement has its benefits, but it also has its own share of downsides, especially if you choose to pursue a settlement without the help of an auto accident attorney. The following details several reasons why you should always hire an attorney even if you're settling out of court.
1. Larger Settlements
You shouldn't expect insurance companies to be charitable when it comes to out-of-court settlements. Claims adjusters will offer to settle outside of a courtroom trial, but the amount offered may only be a fraction of what's needed to fully cover your medical bills, financial losses, and property damage. That's because insurance companies see out-of-court settlements as an expense and, as a result, will go to great lengths to save money by paying the bare minimum possible.
An all-too-common tactic many insurance companies employ involves stringing accident victims along for months on end, especially if the victims are more willing to settle out of court instead of pursuing a lawsuit. The insurance companies may even request medical bills under the assumption of direct compensation. By the time the statute of limitations runs out for initiating legal action, the insurance company will only offer to pay a fraction of your expenses.
Your auto accident attorney's job is to fight on your behalf for a settlement that comfortably covers your actual losses. Without an experienced attorney by your side, the insurance companies are more likely to take advantage of you during your time of need. Time is always of the essence when it comes to getting the fair settlement you deserve. The sooner you contact an attorney, the greater your chances will be of receiving ample compensation for your injuries and damages.
2. No Medical Treatment Refusals
Believe it or not, there are plenty of doctors and physicians who actually refuse to treat auto accident victims without legal representation. The reasoning behind the strange refusals is that any doctor or physician that treats auto accident victims may be called to testify as an expert witness, even if the patient instead opts for an out-of-court settlement.
Being refused post-emergency treatment for your auto accident injuries can be a disheartening experience, especially if the refusal comes from your own primary care physician whom you relied on for years. Fortunately, your auto accident attorney can help you find physicians who are willing to treat auto accident victims and aren't afraid of providing witness testimony.
3. Greater Peace of Mind
Dealing with an out-of-court settlement on your own can be a mentally and emotionally draining experience. Being worried about the type of settlement you'll likely receive can take your focus away from rehabilitation and recovery. In addition, you'll always wonder if you would have received a larger settlement through the efforts of a seasoned attorney.
Instead of putting yourself in a position where you'll wonder what could have been, you should take the proactive step of hiring an attorney to handle your auto accident claim. Taking this important step will give you greater peace of mind when it comes to your settlement.