The simple answer is yes. Immediately. Unless you suffered little or no injury, didn’t miss any work, and there is only minimal repair on your car, you’re going to want a car accident attorney on your side. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters who begin evaluating—and trying to figure out ways to devalue—your claim right away. They have an advanced database to help them determine what your claim is “worth” based on thousands upon thousands of accidents from around the country. They also have several tricks they use against unsuspecting car accident victims to pay them less than what they’re owed.
Car Insurance Companies Play Tricks After a Crash
Insurance companies are billion-dollar companies that are in business to make money. They don’t grow by simply giving it away after car accidents. They also know that you are at their mercy. Even a small car accident can result in thousands of dollars of medical bills and missed work. If your injury leaves you in a position hurting for money, all the more reason for them to dangle a settlement check in front of you to try to take less.
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators that will ask questions designed to hurt or deny your claim. They receive bonuses based on diminished value or denials of claims. They will ask for things that they may not be entitled to under the law. They may even act as if they’re on your side to get you “help quickly.” They will simply dictate the course of the claim. That is unless and until you can prove you know your rights or you’re represented by an attorney who levels the playing field. It is all designed to pay you less or pay you nothing.
Why should I hire a Sacramento car accident attorney?
Avoid Costly Mistakes. The insurance company knows how to control your claim from the beginning. They have many tricks they can use to trip you up along the way. This is all so that they can find a way to lower the amount they pay to you or deny your claim outright.
Authority. The truth is, that insurance adjusters probably won’t really take you seriously unless you hire a car accident attorney. They have no reason to believe that you know your rights or how to navigate their system. They will bank on you not knowing what you’re doing and being able to trip you up at some point through the claims process.
Calculating Damages. Even if you have dealt with car insurance claims before, it is still a daunting task to try to calculate your own damages. Understandably, many people who have been injured tend to overvalue their claim. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will be able to help evaluate your claim and provide credibility to maximize your settlement.
Focus on Recovery. The stress of an accident can come from both your physical injury and financial losses. Hiring an attorney to take care of your claim will allow you to focus on your recovery and not add the stress that comes along with trying to navigate a car accident claim yourself.
While it does sound self-serving for an attorney website to say “you need a car accident attorney,” in most cases that is the best thing for the injured person. Most car accident attorneys provide free consultations to help you evaluate your options. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for a free case evaluation.
