As an accident victim, you might wonder why you should bother with retaining an attorney. After all, it may appear at first that the person who caused the accident is willing to accept liability. All that you have to do is make an insurance claim or wait for that person to compensate you for your damages.
In fact, even the seemingly most simple of accidents can turn into contentious and lengthy court cases. You can protect your best interests in any accident case by hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Shielding Victims from Blame
People who cause injury accidents are often eager to deflect as much blame as possible. They know that they will be on the proverbial hook for paying victims' expenses, which can range in the tens or thousands of dollars, if not more. They also know that any civil action against them can quickly turn into criminal charges if they accept blame.
With that, many responsible parties will try to blame victims for what occurred during the accidents. If the person who caused your accident tries to blame you, you can have the claims countered with your own legal representation. Your lawyer will work to shield you from any blame and instead focus responsibility on the rightful party. Your lawyer will ensure that you do not accept liability for your own accident or injuries.
Filing Lawsuits
Personal injury lawyers are also adept at filing prompt and assertive lawsuits against responsible parties. They know that insurance companies, for example, have the duty to protect their companies' proverbial bottom lines. Insurance adjusters will often refuse claims to save their companies as much money as possible.
In many cases, the only way to get insurers to pay out claims is to sue them. Your attorney can file a lawsuit to hold the insurer accountable for your accident costs like medical bills and lost income. The insurer can then either pay out a court-ordered judgment or instead try to settle with you outside of the courtroom. Your lawyer can pursue either a judgment or a settlement to close your case quickly.
Personal injury lawyers play vital roles in legal cases that accident victims have a right to file. They can prevent you from accepting blame for what happened. They can also hold insurers accountable for losses by filing lawsuits against these companies. For more information, reach out to a local law firm.