You may have seen ads on TV or videos on the internet that claim, “You can be your own lawyer and avoid paying legal fees!” While that may be true in some cases, a contested bodily injury claim is not one of them. When you are making a bodily injury claim against another driver’s insurance policy, that is an adversarial situation where shrewd, experienced adjusters and lawyers on the other side are working hard to minimize the amount of money you can recover. While it may look like you are saving money when you do it yourself, inexperience in pursuing these claims can be tremendously expensive. The fact is that even most lawyers hire lawyers when they have a personal injury claim.
Without an experienced attorney on your side, you will have a hard time evaluating your case and knowing what compensation for your injuries is reasonable. The insurance company will try to persuade you that your claim is worth much less than it really is, and pressure you into accepting a quick settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurers have been known to send claims adjusters to the hospital to try to settle the claim and get a release from the injured person before a lawyer can get involved. You have to remember that everything the insurance company does is profit-driven, so if they are trying to persuade you to skip hiring an attorney, you know that is for their benefit, and not for yours. It’s important never to sign any document or release before having an attorney review it.
Most people lack the time and knowledge to pursue a personal injury claim successfully. What if the other driver denies being at fault? What if your medical bills and other costs run into the thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars? Are you sure you can find all the potential sources of compensation for your claim? Remember, an insurer who might be liable to cover a claim has a financial incentive to keep you from finding out that it exists. What if your injury is long-term, or even permanent? Will you be able to prove to a jury how much compensation you deserve for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and physical limitations in the future? Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side will give you the resources you need to answer these questions and get you to the best possible outcome.
When you have been injured in a vehicle crash, don’t be talked into going it alone by an insurance company that has its bottom line, and not your best interests, at heart.
Ken Crosson is the owner and lead attorney of the Crosson Law Group, a personal injury and business litigation law firm in Marietta, Georgia, serving the entire Atlanta metropolitan area and surrounding counties. The Crosson Law Group team is ready to help you and your family recover when you have suffered a serious injury. Call (678) 909-0770 or contact us via email today to schedule a free case evaluation.