It is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced car accident lawyer even if the collision wasn’t your fault. Here’s why.
Being involved in a car accident is something that can happen to even the most cautious of drivers. However, when you had no part in causing the accident, you might think that you can rely on the police and insurance companies to do their job and wait for your settlement to arrive.
Unfortunately, insurance companies generally do not look out for your best interests. Their primary goal is to keep profits high by paying less and collecting more. Therefore, even if you were not at fault for an accident and the liability can be easily established, you have no guarantee that you will receive fair compensation for your damages.
For this reason, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney even if the collision wasn’t your fault. Here’s why.
An Experienced Attorney Can Protect Your Rights & Fight Insurance Company Tactics
Even if nobody questions whether or not you are really the victim of the car crash, it doesn’t mean the insurance company of the at-fault driver will happily pay for all your damages, no questions asked. The insurance company will likely try a variety of common tactics in an attempt to keep your settlement low. Experienced attorneys are familiar with these tactics and can help you understand the true value of your claim.
Though the medical bills and car repairs may be reimbursed, you still have the final settlement to worry about. This accounts for all the additional costs resulted from the car accident, specifically the ones that may not be so clear yet:
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of employment
- Emotional distress, etc.
These costs are usually estimated, with the insurance company trying to push for the lower amount, while you want to get the full amount you are entitled to. This is where a lawyer can really help you, as they can go head to head with the insurance company and argue for a fair settlement to make sure you can cover all your costs resulting from the accident.
You May Need Time to Focus on Your Medical Recovery
Focusing on your medical recovery after suffering injuries is not a luxury but a responsibility towards yourself and those around you. Handling an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit can be stressful and tiring, and so is recovery. Working with an experienced attorney can give you the peace of mind you need as you recover from an accident.
An Attorney Can Help You Gather Necessary Evidence
The work for your insurance claim begins from the moment of the accident. At the scene, you should collect evidence like photos or testimonies. Shortly after, you should contact your insurance company and see a doctor. It’s wise to have a lawyer by your side from the very beginning, as they will handle it for you and won’t miss any critical pieces of evidence.
Missouri’s Fault System
Missouri is a comparative fault state, meaning that fault can be distributed between all the parties involved in the car accident. You may think that you are not at all at fault, but if the insurance company proves you share any percentage of liability, this cuts your settlement based on that percentage.
For instance, if they show you are 20% at fault for the accident, you can only recover 80% out of your total damages. The higher percentage of fault you have, the lower your settlement will be.
Fault is attributed based on the details and evidence of the case. So, if the insurance company gets footage of you talking on the phone at the time of the accident, they can argue you are at least partially responsible for the accident. You using your phone means you were not paying attention to the road. If you were, maybe you could have avoided the collision.
A lawyer’s task would be to refute false claims and lower your percentage of fault as much as they can. Note that insurance companies may use the issue of fault to convince you to accept a lower settlement, even if in reality you were not at-fault. An experienced attorney can protect you from the insurance companies tricks.
Do You Need a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?
It’s in the best interest of any car accident victim to work closely with a St. Louis car accident attorney. Doing so will increase your chances of getting the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
