With a growing number of cars on the roads, the number of car accidents is also rising. One can never say they will never experience a car accident, not even once in their lives. Accidents happen, and they can happen to anyone. Should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, there are a few things you need to do almost immediately after the crash, and the most important is to seek medical treatment.
Once you have a medical report and treatment guide, you need to consider the cause of the accident and seek legal representation, especially when there are injuries and property damage. Here are five compelling reasons to get legal counsel after your car accident.
Limited Time to File a Lawsuit
Depending on your state, the time limit to file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your car accident is four years. This means, if you have not filed your lawsuit within four years of the accident, the case will be barred. Once a case is barred, regardless of any pain, suffering, loss of wages, property damage, medical bills, or any injuries caused by accident, you may go without any compensation. Having an attorney on your side will ensure that you do not miss this expiry date and protect your legal rights in this matter.
Settling Ends Your Case Completely
If the person who caused the accident is smart enough or immediately gets a lawyer to handle their case, they may be quick to offer a settlement. The rising pressure of losing wages and incurring medical bills may tempt you to take the settlement quickly. Part of settling the case is signing a release, which ultimately means you cannot file or bring another claim about the accident to the person paying you the settlement fee.
The settlement fee may seem handsome at first; however, your health condition could take a turn due to the accident, and the settlement can quickly turn into pennies. This is why getting legal counsel before engaging in any legal matters after a car accident.
Complex Laws and Rules
Although you can legally represent yourself in a lawsuit, handling a case and its rules can be more complex than you think. Even though you may be on the right side of the law, representing yourself is not a good idea; one wrong move and your case could be over in no time. On the other hand, having legal representation can help give you peace of mind that your case is handled by an experienced professional who understands the rules of the law.
Proving Liability Can be Difficult
Proving concrete evidence that someone else was at fault may be as tricky as finding a needle in the haystack. Not all cases are the same and provided that the driver who hit agrees to your facts, you may have difficulty convincing the court. An experienced attorney with car accidents will be better positioned to collect all relevant evidence from the accident, use it correctly to make your case, and prove that the other driver was indeed at fault.
You Could Lose Out Financially
The most important thing you need to remember is, you do not have to take on your lawsuit alone. Even if you make your case and end up getting a healthy settlement, chances are the settlement is only a fraction of what you deserve. A professional attorney who understands the potential of your case could get you the compensation you deserve and more.
