Getting the compensation you deserve after a car accident is a vitally important step in your recovery. While the crash may seem like a straightforward event with strong indicators that the other driver was at fault, preparing for a trial is an intricate process that involves observing court protocols, anticipating counter-arguments, and gathering evidence that lives up to legal standards. Here are some reasons why you should strongly consider working with a car wreck attorney in Cameron, TX or Buffalo, TX:
Injured in a Car Wreck? 9 Reasons Not to Go to Court Without an Experienced Attorney
1. Procedural Errors Can Invalidate Your Case or Cause Delays
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, your car accident claim could be worth thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions of dollars. Without a fair settlement or a court-ordered payout, you could end up foregoing your compensation and paying for your damages out of pocket. Regardless of the evidence in your favor, missing an important deadline, failing to submit documents correctly, or hinging your arguments on the wrong type of evidence could cause the judge to dismiss your case.
Working with a car wreck attorney who has studied court protocols in law school can help you avoid procedural errors. You will also avoid the enormous amount of time it would take to educate yourself on how to present your case. In short, working with an attorney can take the burden of self-representation off your shoulders, protecting the validity of your claim and reducing the amount of disruption in your life.
2. Having a Lawyer Shows the Court That You Are Serious
While judges are supposed to be impartial, numerous studies have shown that there is a subconscious bias against individuals who represent themselves. Having a lawyer will add professionalism to your side and reduce the likelihood that an attorney who represents the other driver or the insurance company will try to take advantage of your inexperience.
3. You Can Hire a Car Wreck Attorney on a Contingency Fee Basis
If you are worried about legal fees, you should know that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. According to the contingency fee model, the client does not pay any legal fees upfront. Instead, the cost of having the attorney is taken as a percentage of the payout.
This model is intended to be accessible for injured people who are already struggling with financial issues as a result of their accident. Additionally, the lawyer is incentivized to maximize the payout.
4. Your Lawyer Will Work to Get You All the Money You Are Entitled to Receive
If you represent yourself, you might miss opportunities to increase your payout. Personal injury law specifies many damages that the at-fault party must compensate, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
These categories are nuanced, giving the claimant the chance to factor in things like the cost of transportation to the hospital and the value of any vacation days he or she could not accrue while in recovery. A lawyer who is highly familiar with the process of listing damages can help you make sure you are demanding all of the money you are owed.
5. The Judge Will Not Provide You With Any Instruction
Some people go to court without a lawyer believing that the judge will help them understand the proceedings. In fact, judges are instructed not to give special attention to individuals who choose to self-represent. On the day of the trial, you will be expected to keep up with the pace of the court. If your mistakes create delays, you risk annoying the judge.
6. Your Lawyer Might Be Able to Help You Avoid a Trial Entirely
Many people are reluctant to seek damages after an accident because they are worried about spending months engaged in a lengthy court battle. In fact, most claimants are able to settle outside of court relatively quickly. After you submit a claim to the other driver’s insurance company, they will have 15 days to issue a verdict. You would only need to go to court if the insurance company refuses to give you a payout, or if their offer is low.
Having a lawyer increases the chances that you will get a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. Your lawyer can negotiate with them by referencing the evidence you would use if the case went to trial. With convincing arguments on your side, the insurance company is likely to decide that paying a settlement is the most cost-effective way to resolve the claim and avoid the legal fees associated with litigation.
7. Your Lawyer Will Fight to Maximize Your Payout
Whether you resolve your case in a settlement with the insurance company or a trial, having a professional lawyer who can construct valid arguments can make a big difference in the size of your payout. Lawyers are trained to formulate winning strategies that can include bringing in expert witnesses, leveraging rhetoric, and subpoenaing records. An attorney from a reputable law firm should have the resources and expertise to negotiate with the insurance company and litigate effectively.
8. You Will Receive Coaching That Can Protect Your Claim
Long before the trial begins, your actions can have a profound effect on the outcome of your case. Your lawyer will instruct you on:
- How to observe the statute of limitations
- How to submit your claim correctly
- How to handle calls from the insurance company or the other driver’s legal team
- How to request your medical records and compile other evidence
- How to treat your injuries to avoid seeming neglectful
- How to use discretion on social media with regard to your accident
9. You Will Have More Time to Focus on Your Recovery
Seeking compensation after a car accident is not something that you should have to do alone. When you are injured, you might not be in the best frame of mind to fight for the payout you deserve. Having a lawyer can make the legal process of sorting out liability in an accident go more quickly and with less stress. The goal is that, in the end, you will get a larger payout in as little time as possible.
Schedule a Consultation With a Car Wreck Lawyer in Cameron, TX or Buffalo, TX
Before you commit to working with any lawyer, you will have the opportunity to meet with him or her. Our initial consultations are always free, giving you a chance to discuss your case and any questions you have. Not only will you learn more about seeking compensation, but you will also gain an understanding of how well your case might hold up in court and approximately how much compensation you can request.
We Hold Ourselves to the Highest Legal Standards
We understand how vital it is for you to get the compensation you need to address the financial fallout from your injuries. We will fight to get you the best outcome throughout every stage of the legal process, from identifying your losses to submitting your claim to presenting your arguments in court. For more information about our legal services in Cameron, TX and Buffalo, TX, contact Brian Gutierrez, Personal Injury Trial Lawyer.
