Getting into an accident can be scary, especially if it’s your fault, which is why you should always immediately contact a Chicago car accident lawyer. If you were injured in the crash, having to pay medical bills and lost wages can add up quickly, while legal costs can pile up even faster if you end up in court due to another party’s negligence or bad actions. It’s important to have an experienced lawyer on your side from the beginning to protect your interests and reduce stress during this difficult time, which is why our friends at Disparti Law put together this list of five reasons why you need a lawyer after an accident.
1) To Make Sure You Get a Fair Settlement
Most people, however, don’t know what to do after a car accident. Some people assume that their auto insurance will cover everything and are shocked when they find out that is not the case. This is especially true for those who have minimal or no coverage at all. If you don’t have a lawyer on your side to guide you through this complex process and protect your rights, you could find yourself giving up much more than necessary after a car accident.
2) To Make Sure You Don’t Lose Any Benefits
If you’re hurt in a car accident, there are benefits available to you. When you have a good lawyer by your side, there’s no need to worry about potentially losing them. The first benefit is unemployment insurance. Sometimes people become unemployed after the accident and without an attorney, they may not be eligible for unemployment compensation because of their injury. An attorney can help ensure that this doesn’t happen.
Another thing that can happen is that you might lose the ability to receive any other benefits such as workers’ compensation or disability benefits from Social Security if you don’t have a lawyer on your side before it’s too late. You also may be ineligible for healthcare coverage if the person who caused the accident is uninsured or has limited coverage due to bankruptcy or low income status, which could result in having to pay out of pocket when receiving treatment from specialists or hospitals. Your attorney will make sure this doesn’t happen!
3) To Protect Your Rights if This Leads to a Lawsuit
If you’re in a car accident, and it leads to a lawsuit, you’ll need to hire a lawyer. An attorney will dutifully represent your case and if successful, will collect your award. And if the other party is insured, the attorney can try to recover your medical expenses as well. The majority of drivers on the road are uninsured or underinsured, so hiring a lawyer after an accident becomes even more important. Your attorney will help ensure that you get all of the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering.
4) Because Insurance Companies Don’t Play Fair
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to attempt to take advantage of people after they have been in a car accident. Insurance companies are set up to be on the side of money and will oftentimes try to force you into accepting a settlement that isn’t really fair or doesn’t cover the full extent of your damages.
5) Because It Will Speed up the Claims Process
A lawyer will speed up the claims process. When a claim is filed, it’s examined by the insurance company to determine whether or not the policyholder was covered for that type of damage. If not, then they may attempt to deny coverage for medical bills and other expenses which would add up to about 20% of what you actually owe. Insurance companies don’t have lawyers; you do. A lawyer will make sure all evidence is accounted for.
If you have been in a car accident, contact an attorney immediately!