Most people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle do their best to drive according to all the laws and regulations governing the roadways. Many of those drivers also try hard to follow defensive driving standards to help prevent them from having an accident.
Unfortunately, not everyone drives this way all the time. All it takes is one careless or reckless driver to cause an accident. Many of these accidents cause serious injuries that can lead to financial ruin for those injured individuals. Fortunately, there are attorneys that can help these individuals when injured in such an accident.
The Likelihood of an Accident
Every car accident, even a minor fender bender, has the potential to cause an injury to the occupants of the vehicle. When those injuries are caused by the recklessness or carelessness of another driver, that driver should be held responsible. Uvalle Law Firm can provide assistance for those injured in a car accident.
There is an average of 6 million car accidents every year in the US. Out of those 6 million accidents, nearly 3 million people are injured. Every day, nearly 90 people die due to car accidents. These statistics show that a car accident is very possible. On average, a driver will be involved in a car accident at least once every 18 years they are driving.
These astounding statistics show that each and every driver has a responsibility to drive with care every single time they are behind the wheel. Unfortunately, not everyone will take this responsibility seriously and will cause an accident that will create costly property damage and terrible injuries to others.
The Cost of an Accident
A car accident can be a very costly experience. Even minor accidents can cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars just in car repairs. There is also the cost of finding transportation while the vehicle is being repaired. This can be a difficult cost for many people to cover.
When an injury occurs due to a car accident, the costs go up exponentially. Just the immediate care after an accident can cost the injured person hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the injuries and the number of tests that need to be performed.
If the injury is severe, hospital stays and continued treatment after leaving the hospital can quickly boost the expenses to the tens of thousands of dollars. Various therapies or other recovery care can be an ongoing cost left to the injured party to pay.
If the injured person is unable to work due to their injuries, it creates losses that make these medical costs even more burdensome. If the injury leaves the person unable to return to work, they may be facing financial ruin and a serious threat to their ability to provide for themselves or their family.
When these injuries are caused by another person’s inability to follow the laws of the road, that person should be held responsible for all the costs and losses associated with the accident. To ensure fair compensation for these injuries, hiring an attorney is strongly recommended to ensure the injured party’s rights are protected.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Almost every state requires drivers to maintain a minimum level of car insurance to drive on the road. Most minimum legal requirements include 4 basic types of coverage to protect during an accident. These include property damage, bodily injury, personal injury, and even coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists.
Insurance provides great protection for both the at-fault driver and the injured party. The at-fault driver can prevent financial ruin due to the costs of an accident they cause. The injured party has some security in knowing that their claim will be covered by an insurance provider.
Unfortunately, the insurance company is a for-profit business. They will do what they can to keep their payouts low and maintain higher profits. This can sometimes lead to settlements that do not cover the costs or losses of an injury.
An attorney can provide assistance in this area. They can speak directly to the insurance company to fight for a fair settlement. They can even assist with providing all documentation to the insurance company to ensure the claim is processed properly. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the attorney can assist with pursuing legal action to get the needed compensation.
Fighting for Fair Compensation
An attorney can help individuals determine the value of their case. This is a fair amount that will provide compensation for all medical costs caused by the accident. They will also help fight for compensation to cover any loss of work or ongoing treatment or care needed due to the accident.
An attorney can assist in untangling the complicated legal process to help injured individuals understand their rights and obligations. They can even work directly with insurance providers to keep the process moving smoothly.
If the case needs to go to court, the attorney can help greatly in this department. Not only will they represent the injured party in court, but they will also help to gather experts, witnesses, and other vital information to prove the case and get the compensation needed.
Allowing Time for Recovery
One of the biggest issues people face when fighting for compensation after an accident is trying to balance the complicated legal process while dealing with their recovery. Individuals can become tired and stressed over the constant battle to get well and obtain the compensation they need.
An attorney can help with this aspect of the case too. From the moment they begin working on the case, they can take on the brunt of the work needing done to prove the case. This can allow injured individuals the time they need to manage their injuries and recover without the extra burden of fighting to resolve the case.
How Much Does an Attorney Cost?
Hiring an attorney may seem like an impossible feat for those injured in a car accident. They may be concerned that they will not be able to afford the costs associated with hiring a lawyer, especially with the pending medical costs they are facing.
Fortunately, many attorneys offer a free evaluation of a case. This can allow individuals the ability to find out valuable information and their potential for success without paying a cent. After the consultation, the individual can then decide if hiring a lawyer is right for them.
Another added benefit of most attorneys that work with car accident cases is that many provide their services on a contingency. This means the individual pays nothing upfront and only pays if they get compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company.
The benefits of hiring an attorney for a car accident injury far outweigh any potential costs that may be seen later. In addition, cases with an attorney can often yield higher settlements than without. Although the case can still be pursued without an attorney, hiring one may be a better option when dealing with a serious injury.
