Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident in West Jordan?
You have just been injured in a collision in West Jordan, Utah, and you are not the one who caused the incident. Along with the pain and stress, you know you must deal with the claims process. Having a local car accident attorney handle that is an option, but is going that route a good idea?
In most situations, the answer is yes. With no injuries, legal assistance may not be necessary. But you have been hurt, and giving your attention to an accident claim is difficult when you are trying to recover. Plus, if you go it alone, without any help from a lawyer, you risk losing out on the compensation you deserve. As studies have shown, injured victims who represent themselves only get a fraction of what their claim is worth.
An experienced car accident attorney, like Chris Cockayne at Cockayne Law, has the resources and skill required to bring about a favorable result. The initial consultation with an injury lawyer is typically free, and you have nothing to lose by getting an expert opinion. But for more on why you will be left at a huge disadvantage without an attorney, read on.
When Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident?
While it is beneficial to schedule a free legal consultation after a collision, there are certain scenarios where a car accident attorney’s assistance may be crucial. Here is when to give serious thought to hiring a lawyer:
- The accident results in injuries. Medical bills will quickly pile up, and you need to make sure the compensation you receive covers those costs along with any future accident-related medical expenses.
- Your injuries have caused you to miss work. You are entitled to compensation for lost income, and if you used sick leave or paid vacation days to cover your time off, a lawyer can ensure you are fairly compensated.
- Someone else is to blame for the accident. Proving that another party caused a collision can be a challenge, and an experienced attorney can collect ample evidence to support a claim for damages.
- There is a liability dispute. If the at-fault party or their insurance company insists that your negligence led to the collision, you may need a car accident attorney to help shift the liability onto the party responsible.
- The accident has complex circumstances. When a collision involves pedestrian injuries, commercial vehicles, unsafe road conditions, pre-existing conditions or other challenges, legal expertise is often required.
- The insurance company refuses to settle fairly. Insurance adjusters use tricky tactics to devalue claims or deny them altogether, and a skilled lawyer will know how to negotiate a reasonable payout.
As you consider whether to seek legal advice, remember that a car accident attorney is your advocate. Their role is to protect your interests and make sure you are treated fairly throughout the claims process.
Advantages of Having Legal Representation
Having the help of a skilled local lawyer is quite beneficial when it comes to the car accident claims process. Drawing from survey data published by Nolo, a trusted online legal research site, the reasons it is worth getting an attorney for a car accident are evident:
- Better odds of receiving compensation – Only 51 percent of the injured victims who represented themselves received a payout, compared to 91 percent of those who chose to seek legal assistance.
- Pressure goes to the opposite party – With a lawyer in charge of the negotiations, insurance adjusters know the threat of a lawsuit is real, leading them to offer payouts that are much higher.
- Higher settlement or jury award – Even after subtracting legal fees, the payout in claims involving a lawyer averages $77,600, much higher than the average $17,600 received by those managed without legal help.
These statistics demonstrate the value of getting an attorney for a car accident, particularly in situations involving injuries and liability disputes. With a lawyer, the chance of obtaining a fair amount of compensation significantly rises.
Why a Car Accident Attorney is a Valuable Asset
Having an experienced lawyer on your side after a car accident helps level the playing field, as insurance companies have teams of attorneys protecting their interests. Injured victims find legal assistance to be consequential, as an experienced car accident attorney has:
- Legal knowledge, being well-versed in traffic laws and the nuances of insurance coverage
- Investigation skills, knowing how to gather evidence, analyze events and establish fault
- Damage insight, accurately calculating their client’s current losses as well as future damages
- Negotiation prowess, advocating for clients by countering unsatisfactory offers from insurance adjusters
- Litigation experience, employing solid legal strategies to present a case in court when negotiations fail
Clearly, if a car accident has left you with serious injuries, hiring a lawyer may be in your best interest. But in any case, you should take advantage of a free legal consultation. Chris Cockayne at Cockayne Law has extensive experience representing injured victims, and he has what it takes to achieve a sizable settlement or verdict. To discuss your claim with a highly skilled car accident attorney in West Jordan, Utah, contact our law office today.
