When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident. If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, it's best to reach out to a car accident lawyer right away to discuss the specifics of your case. While you may be able to handle some more minor claims on your own, more often than not an attorney will be able to add significant value to your claim. With offices in St. Louis, Chicago and other areas, we are well-positioned to offer the highest standard of legal advocacy to the injured throughout Missouri and Illinois. Call a Burger Law car accident lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
If you were injured in a car accident because somebody else broke the rules of the road, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Injury?
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Is It Worth It To Get A Lawyer for A Car Accident Case?
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Top 6 Reasons to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident
Depending on the specifics of your case, hiring a car accident lawyer may be your only option to get the full compensation you deserve for your injuries. Below are the six main benefits of hiring an attorney for your car accident claim:
- An auto accident attorney will deal with the insurance company for you.
In a typical fender bender, where the other driver was obviously at fault and you made a quick trip to urgent care but did not sustain any serious injuries, you may very well be able to get a fair settlement offer from the insurance adjuster. Provide a mechanics bill for the damage to your car, your urgent care bills or receipts for any prescription drugs and ask for a little money over the top for inconvenience. While their first offer may be a little low, respond by telling them why it's low and they'll likely improve it. Car accident attorneys like those at Burger law aren't going to be able to do much to add significant value to your claim.
Unfortunately, a lot of car accident cases aren't that simple. Your injuries may require ongoing care, or the other driver may be trying to pin fault on you. Insurance companies love to try and deceive people in order to minimize their claim. They may try telling you:
- Your injuries couldn't have been caused by a low-speed collision
- Your injuries were preexisting
- They only have to pay for six weeks of medical treatment
- You are partially responsible for the accident and therefore they cannot compensate you
In most cases, those statements and others like them are simply not true. A car accident lawyer will know the tactics insurance companies use and how to combat them. We'll compile all the evidence needed to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so that you don't have to.
- A car accident lawyer will prove liability for your injuries.
If the other driver denies responsibility and the insurance adjuster uses that to deny paying you, you'll need a lawyer who knows how to prove liability in personal injury claims. At Burger Law, we have over 30 years of experience investigating car crashes, determining when the other driver broke the rules of the road and showing how the accident caused the injuries. We'll use our network of crash experts to reconstruct the accident, and medical experts to corroborate how it caused your injuries.
If you were indeed partially, but not completely, at fault for the accident, we'll still be able to help you recover compensation through the comparative negligence doctrine.
- An attorney will calculate the full value of your claim.
If you've never been injured in a car accident before, or have never needed to hire a car accident attorney before, you may not understand the full extent of the compensation that you're owed. We pride ourselves on only accepting full compensation. Not 90 percent or 80 percent, but 100 percent of all the damages you incurred. Did you know that you can be reimbursed for transportation to and from medical appointments? Or that the insurance company has to pay for future medical expenses you may have as well? Or do you know how to calculate pain and suffering? A diligent and knowledgeable attorney will ensure that no money is left on the table when you finally get your settlement check.
- File a lawsuit if necessary.
According to a 2005 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the vast majority of tort claims are settled out of court. But a lot of times, that only happens on the eve of a trial when the insurance company finally sees reason and wants to avoid spending more money on letting a jury decide the case. Lawsuits are complicated. There's a lot of paperwork to file and a lot of evidence and legal precedent that need to be mentioned in the proceedings. If you cannot get a fair settlement offer in negotiation or mediation, you'll need a car accident attorney to stand up against the insurance company's defense team in a court of law.
- An attorney will make sure no deadlines are missed.
Every state has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. In Missouri, it's typically five years, while in Illinois it's usually two. Within those deadlines are certain others pertaining to motions filed. An attorney will ensure you are not ineligible for compensation because of a missed deadline.
- An attorney will give you peace of mind.
Without an attorney, you may find yourself asking, are there any laws I don't know about that could help my claim? Should I ask for more money? How much more? Is the insurance adjuster being honest? Do I have any other options to seek a full recovery? An experienced attorney will be able to answer all of those questions for you, and even provide some answers you never thought to ask for.
At Burger Law, client communication is of the utmost important for our car accident lawyers. We'll explain every step of the process to you, and keep you informed throughout your case. We want you to feel comfortable that everything that can be done is being done. While we'll always leave the ultimate decisions up to you, we'll give offer insight based on our experience and legal knowledge so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
In addition to the above, a car accident will handle all documentation and litigation so you can focus on what's important: healing and getting your life back together.
How do I Negotiate a Settlement With an Insurance Claims Adjuster?
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Missouri and Illinois Car Accident Lawyers | Burger Law
You'd like to think that when you're injured through someone else's negligence, people would do the right thing; that the other driver would accept responsibility for their actions and the insurance company would offer a fair financial recovery. Unfortunately, all too often that isn't the case. At Burger Law, our St. Louis- and Chicago-based car accident attorneys have dedicated their careers to standing up to bullies, seeing the injured through difficult times and balancing the scales of justice. Our consultations are free, so there's no risk in calling us to discuss your claim. Speak to an Illinois and Missouri car accident lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.