After you’ve been in a car accident, you deserve fair compensation for any injuries and damages that were the other party’s fault. Here’s what you should know about getting a car accident settlement in Huntsville, TX.
Should You Accept a Car Accident Settlement in Huntsville, TX?
If you have been in a car accident, you are likely dealing with a lot of stress. There are repairs that need to be done for your car, and you might be dealing with an injury that’s affecting your happiness, comfort, and the way you live your life.
After an accident, the other party’s insurance company will likely offer you a settlement if the injuries and damages you received were due to the other party’s negligence. But is this something you can accept? Many people make the mistake of accepting the first settlement offer made by an insurance company, but you might be entitled to more money for your injuries and damages.
You Can Refuse a Settlement Offer
One mistake that people make after getting into car accidents is accepting the first settlement offer that’s made. That’s because they may not necessarily know that they can refuse this offer. They may also not be aware of the full amount of money they’re entitled to receive.
You deserve to be compensated for the full extent of your damages and injuries. If the amount that the insurance company offers you doesn’t seem fair, you can negotiate for a higher amount.
Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends
When you’re dealing with an insurance company, it’s really important to understand that these companies are not on your side. Even though you might have extensive injuries or damages, the goal of an insurance company is to have to pay you as little as possible.
If you’re not super knowledgeable when it comes to your legal rights or dealing with these companies, then they might try to take advantage of that. That’s why it’s so important to have someone on your side that knows how to deal with insurance companies, like a qualified lawyer.
How Working with a Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and it was because of the negligence of the other party, you should be properly compensated. Unfortunately, trying to get a fair settlement can be a stressful process.
You can ease the stress significantly by working with a qualified lawyer. Here are a few ways that a lawyer can help you get the best settlement offer possible.
They Understand the Law
There’s no denying that the law can be complex and difficult to understand. There are a lot of nuances involved, and these may not be nuances you’re aware of. Not knowing the specifics of how the legal system works while trying to navigate it on your own could result in you not getting a fair settlement.
Lawyers are trained to work within the legal system and have the experience needed to understand all the complicated ins and outs. Your lawyer will be committed to you and will work hard to ensure that you are accurately and fairly represented. This will help you get the most that you can out of your settlement.
They Can Handle the Insurance Companies
After a car accident, many people make the mistake of immediately contacting insurance companies without having any legal representation. As you already know, insurance companies are not on your side. They know a lot about the legal system and may take advantage of your lack of knowledge.
When you work with a lawyer, you’ll get the legal advice and representation that you need to make sure that you’re treated fairly by the insurance company. Lawyers are experienced when it comes to dealing with insurance providers, and they’ll be able to tell if what you’re being offered is a fair settlement or not.
They’ll Help You Investigate Your Accident
Regardless of how complicated or simple the accident that you were in seems, it’s going to be important to investigate it properly. There might be circumstances that you weren’t initially aware of that could affect the amount of money you’re entitled to for your settlement.
If you don’t know how to properly investigate your accident, you might miss some important information. A car accident lawyer will know how to properly investigate your accident and will make sure that they are able to prove that the other party was at fault for your injuries.
They’ll Help You Gather Evidence
The gathering of evidence is an important element of any car accident investigation. Immediately after being in a car accident, there are a few things you should do. You should be taking photos and videos of the scene and any other relevant information like witness statements and contact information.
But there are pieces of evidence that you’ll need to gather after your accident as well. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what evidence is necessary, and they’ll help you gather it too. This includes things like pay stubs indicating missing or lowered wages because of your injury, medical bills, and pain journals.
They Can Explain Your Options
A car accident can be pretty overwhelming. You might be dealing with pain and treatment for any injuries you’ve received, and there are likely damages to your vehicle and property that need to get fixed. Trying to get a fair settlement and navigate the legal system on top of all that can get stressful and confusing.
But a qualified lawyer will be able to help you. They’ll walk you through your settlement options, and if you have any questions about the system of the process, they’ll be able to answer them.
They Know How to Negotiate
Negotiating is a regular part of life. You probably negotiate every day, even if you don’t realize that you’re doing it. But negotiating with your spouse about what you’re going to have for dinner tonight is entirely different than negotiating with an insurance company for a fair settlement.
Because lawyers are deeply familiar with both the legal system and with insurance companies, it’s best to have one on your side when it comes to negotiating a fair settlement amount. Lawyers have the training necessary to negotiate properly and get you the compensation you deserve.
They’ll Represent You In Court
Ideally, you, your lawyer, and the insurance company will be able to come to an agreement outside of court. But sometimes taking your case in front of a jury is the only way to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and trauma.
You have the legal right to represent yourself, but it’s something you’re going to want to avoid. A lawyer will know how to represent you fairly, what kind of strategy to use during the trial, and they’ll make sure that your court case is filed properly with all the necessary documents.
Getting into a car accident can be frightening and stressful. When you’re seeking out a fair settlement for your injuries, it’s important to understand that you can refuse a settlement that seems unfair. Working with a qualified lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve. To work with our team, get in touch with Brian Gutierrez, personal injury trial lawyer, today.
