Speaking with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible can ensure you get the legal advice you need to protect your rights after an accident.
From the moment they find out about an accident, the insurance company’s attorneys and claims adjusters begin working. Their goal is to minimize their financial responsibility. This means that if the other driver caused your accident, their insurance company will work hard to shift the blame to you. Speaking with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible can ensure you get the legal advice you need to protect your rights after an accident.
Let’s discuss a few scenarios where hiring a car accident attorney to represent you is highly recommended.
A Loved One Died in the Accident
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, you have the legal right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. An attorney can help you understand the process of filing a claim and can assist in recovering the compensation you are entitled to.
You Were Injured
Car accidents often result in severe injuries. If this is true of your accident, you may require expensive treatment, rehabilitation, surgeries, and a loss in earning capacity. Working with an experienced attorney can ensure that all of your past and future expenses are documented and accounted for so you don’t settle for less than you are entitled to.
Even if you have “minor” or seemingly no injuries at all after an accident, it is a good idea to seek medical attention to document your condition. It is not uncommon for delayed symptoms to present themselves after a car accident. An experienced attorney can help ensure you don’t end up settling before you have fully recovered.
The Insurance Company Has Offered You a Settlement
Insurance companies generally want you to accept a lowball settlement as soon as possible. However, if the accident just occurred recently, it is challenging to know precisely what impact the car accident will have on your life and what your future expenses will be.
Once you agree to a settlement amount, you generally cannot seek more compensation. Having an experienced attorney review your claim and determine the full extent of your damages can ensure that you do not accept a lowball settlement that will not account for all of your expenses.
These are just three examples of when you should generally hire a St. Louis car accident attorney. However, to be clear, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney after any car accident to ensure your rights are protected. Even seemingly minor car accidents have the potential to leave you with high costs resulting from medical bills, car repairs, and loss of income.
Why Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
As we’ve discussed, calling your insurance company is not always the first thing to do after a car accident. The insurance company will use any evidence given to them to minimize or deny a claim. This is why it is important to call a car accident lawyer BEFORE you speak with the insurance company. If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, be careful about the first steps you take. There are certain facts that insurance companies do not want you to know.
Claims Adjusters Work for the Shareholders
Claims adjusters are trained to minimize the payout for car accident claims. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They are NOT looking out for your interests. This includes your own insurance company, for example, claims made under uninsured motorist coverage.
The Evidence May Work Against You
Immediately after a car accident is reported, a claims adjuster or an investigator looks at the accident scene to gather evidence to deny or minimize the amount of compensation. To recover the compensation you are legally entitled to, you will greatly benefit from having a St. Louis auto accident lawyer working strictly for your interests. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our team can gather evidence and eyewitness statements to build your case.
Do Not Answer Questions Without Legal Representation
A representative from the insurance company will contact you and ask questions regarding the accident. Any statements you give can be used against you in court or used to deny the claim. The questions are often designed to confuse you or get you to admit to something you do not fully understand.
Using Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
What happens when you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist? You may be paying for coverage for this unfortunate situation. Review your insurance policy to ensure you are not missing out on valuable coverage.
The Insurance Company Retains Their Own Lawyers
Every insurance company has its own lawyers to protect its interests. Have someone on your side protecting and representing your legal rights. Do not forget – the insurance company’s financial interests will be in direct conflict with your interests. An experienced car accident lawyer can make sure you do not say or do anything that might jeopardize your claim and work to protect your legal rights.
We want you to have the information you need to make informed and intelligent decisions. This includes whether you should retain a car accident attorney to help you with your claim.
Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, contact our experienced attorneys 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation.
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!
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