Will I get more money if I hire a lawyer for a car accident claim?

While it won’t automatically warrant more compensation, in a lot of cases, yes, those who hire a lawyer get more money in their car accident claim settlements than those who do not. In fact, 85 percent of the money insurance companies paid out for injury claims went to victims who were represented by an attorney, according to a 1994 report from the Insurance Research Council.

There are good reasons why accident attorneys obtain better settlements than those who file car accident claims themselves. It’s what they do. They know the ins and outs of personal injury law and how to build a strong case to obtain the most compensation. Plus, they have an arsenal of strategies and resources to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

Education and Experience Goes a Long Way

Most people never have to file more than one or two car accident claims in their lives. An attorney, on the other hand, will have handled hundreds of them.

Years of working with car accident cases means that an attorney will understand:

  • the intricacies of personal injury law (several years of collegiate schooling and years of field experience);
  • how to mount a strong case and prove the other party’s liability;
  • how to account for all compensable damages and fight for fair compensation; and
  • how to file the correct paperwork within the legal time limits to keep the case moving smoothly and swiftly.

All this experience means that accident attorneys know how to successfully prove a case, and are generally able to secure higher settlements than those without a legal background.

Negotiation and Litigation Skills to Achieve Better Settlements

When you begin the process of filing a car accident claim, you have no way of knowing how it will turn out. The insurance company may offer you a settlement that’s way too low, or you may wind up having to fight the case in court.

Either way, having good negotiation and ligation skills will greatly improve the chances of a successful resolution for your case. These are two skills that an experienced personal injury attorney will possess. And that’s why they can win higher settlements: because they know how.

Avoiding Mistakes that Could Wreck Your Accident Claim

Another reason having a lawyer could mean a more money in an accident claim is that claimants who choose not to use an attorney may do things throughout the course of the claim that could inadvertently wreck it. A lawyer could advise claimants beforehand, and prevent them from making common mistakes that could thwart the claim.

Some of the mistakes that could harm your chances for compensation include:

  • making a social media faux pas;
  • missing doctor appointments;
  • neglecting the statutes of limitations; and
  • providing too much information in statements to the insurance companies.

An attorney will know how to help you avoid these mistakes, and improve your chances of a higher settlement.

Speaking to a Car Accident Lawyer in Denver

So should you hire a lawyer for your case? If you or a family member suffered serious injuries and/or experienced significant damages, you owe it to yourself and your family to pursue the maximum amount of restitution for which you’re eligible. Contact injury attorney D.J. Banovitz at 303-300-5060 today for a free consultation and let us help you navigate your car accident case.