If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering what to do about your medical bills and how to move forward. The aftermath of a car accident can be difficult as you are forced to deal with insurance companies while you are trying to focus on your health and recovery from the accident. One of the best things you can do for yourself to make this time easier is to hire a personal injury attorney.
California personal injury attorney Johann Hall has handled many cases involving car accidents. He knows what it takes to fight for the compensation his clients deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation to discuss your car accident case.
The Best Time to Hire a Car Accident Attorney
The best time to hire a car accident attorney is as soon as possible after the car accident. Of course, depending on the severity of the accident, you may need immediate medical attention. It is important to put your health and safety first. Once you have received any necessary immediate medical care, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney to handle your case.
Why You Shouldn’t Handle Your Case on Your Own
While it is possible to handle your own personal injury case, it is not advisable. There are many reasons you should not handle your own case. First, most people are not experienced in dealing with insurance adjusters. Sometimes an insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver will try to negotiate a settlement right away, and that may not be in your best interest.
Why You Should Be Wary of Early Settlement Offers
The insurance adjuster’s goal is to pay out the smallest settlement possible, so it is important to keep this in mind if they contact you with an offer. The offer given to you by the insurance adjuster within a few days after the car accident may seem fair to you, but it is not wise to agree to an offer before you know the full extent of the medical treatment you will need to recover from the accident. It may seem like a lot of money is being offered, but it may not even come close to covering your medical expenses if you agree to a settlement before you know the seriousness of your injuries.
There are many conditions that may not be immediately apparent, like soft tissue injuries such as back sprains. You also may think you have suffered a minor injury, but when you do not recover as expected with treatment, you may find that your injury is much more serious. What you and your doctor initially suspect is a back sprain may turn out to be a herniated disc that could require surgery. It is important to know the full extent of your injuries before agreeing to any settlement, especially one offered by someone who does not share your best interests.
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney to Handle Your Case
There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney for your car accident case. When you are represented by an attorney, you will not have to deal with insurance adjusters contacting you attempting to settle your case for less than you deserve. When you are represented by an attorney, the insurance company for the other driver cannot contact you directly, they are required to speak to your attorney. Your attorney will then negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Another benefit to hiring a personal injury attorney for your case is that you are more likely to end up with a higher settlement than if you had represented yourself. Based on a study done by the All-Industry Research Advisory Council, car accident victims who hired a personal injury attorney ended up with a higher rate of reimbursement per dollar of economic loss. Obtaining a larger settlement is certainly a good reason to hire a personal injury attorney.
A third reason to hire an attorney on your case is to handle your case if it needs to be filed and go into litigation and eventually, trial. If your claim is denied or your settlement offer is insufficient, then your case may need to go to trial. In that case, this is a very good time to hire a personal injury attorney if you have not hired one already.
Whether you are just starting medical treatment after a recent car accident, or you were given an insufficient settlement offer and want help with your case, it is always a good time to hire a car accident attorney. Contact California personal injury attorney Johann Hall today to put your case in the hands of a skilled and experienced car accident attorney.