Common Problems People Face When Trying To Deal With An Auto Accident Injury Claim On Their Own
Being involved in a car accident can be quite traumatic, and dealing with the aftermath can be a huge hassle, especially if the accident was not your fault. After a car accident, some people think that they are equipped to deal with the other driver's insurance company and handle their claim on their own. While you are legally able to represent yourself when dealing with an auto accident injury claim, it is not in your best interest to do so. For the best results, you should always hire a car accident attorney to represent you. Some of the top downfalls of trying to deal with an auto accident injury claim on your own include the following:
No One to Protect Your Best Interests
When you attempt to settle an auto accident injury claim on your own, it is important to note that there will be no one on your side to protect your best interests. The insurance adjuster and any representative from the other driver's insurance company may be kind and courteous, but they are employees of the insurance company, and everything that they do will benefit the insurance company. Thus, if you try to deal with an auto accident injury claim on your own, you're not likely to get good results. When you hire a car accident attorney, you can count on him or her to put your best interests first.
Not Knowing the Value of Your Claim
Most people do not have much experience dealing with auto accident injury claims, so it is not surprising that most don't have any idea how much their claim is worth. Insurance companies know this, and they take advantage of this fact. It is not uncommon for an insurance company to offer a person representing themselves a very low settlement amount, with the stipulation that they must sign a document saying that they won't sue for a larger settlement in the future. Unfortunately, many people without legal representation will accept a low auto accident injury settlement because they don't realize that their claim is actually worth more. A car accident attorney will make sure that you get the settlement amount that you deserve.
No Recourse If Insurance Company Denies Liability
In some cases, the other driver's insurance company may deny liability entirely and refuse to pay out any kind of settlement. In this situation, the case will need to go to court. Very few people have the necessary skills to represent themselves in court, especially when going up against experienced attorneys representing the insurance company. Hiring a car accident attorney will help ensure that you're properly represented by an experienced professional in the event your case goes to court.