Can I afford an attorney after an accident, and do I need one?

 Posted on November 24, 2019 in Uncategorized

If a motor vehicle accident left you with serious injuries, you may wonder what your options are. Whether the other driver had no insurance, not enough insurance or an insurance provider that is balking at paying, you may be watching your medical bills and other expenses mounting while you try to figure out what to do next.

The thought of hiring an attorney to deal with the insurance companies and potentially guide you through a personal injury claim may have crossed your mind, but you may have dismissed the idea as something you could never afford. What you may not realize is that a personal injury attorney may help you reach your goals of obtaining compensation, and the cost may pleasantly surprise you.

How can a lawyer help?

It does not take long after an accident for people to come to you wanting answers. Texas police, insurance companies, doctors and others may barrage you with questions. The trick is to know which questions you should not answer and how to respond to others without damaging your claim. A skilled attorney can step in and handle those confusing situations, especially an attorney with the following experience:

• Assessing whether your case is worth taking to court
• Using alternative forms of dispute resolution, such as mediation, to save you money and energy
• Working with other lawyers in your jurisdiction
• Dealing with the tricks of the insurance companies
• Working through the confusing and complicated legal aspects of a personal injury case
• Understanding the medical ramifications of your accident
• Seeing the situation objectively without the fear and anger you may be feeling
• Knowing when the other side is offering a fair settlement and how to negotiate for a better amount
• Representing your case aggressively in an effort to obtain the maximum compensation possible

You may think you cannot afford this kind of representation. However, many attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means that you will not have to pay the attorney a fee unless the case is successful. If the verdict is in your favor or you obtain a settlement, the attorney's fee will be a percentage of your award.

If obtaining a fair settlement or verdict will mean the difference in your quality of life following your injuries, you may decide that dealing with the aftermath of an accident is not something you want to do on your own. Beginning with an evaluation of your case, you can find the answers to your questions and a clearer path to follow.