Getting involved in a car accident can be a very traumatic experience. You not only have to deal with damage to your vehicle, but you and your passengers may have suffered physical injuries as a result of the collision. In addition, you may face a lawsuit, especially if you were partially at fault for the accident. Here in Chicago, car accidents are a daily occurrence. While most are simple fender benders, there are occasions where you may need to consider hiring an experienced Illinois traffic accident attorney to represent you and get you the compensation you deserve.
What are the Pros and Cons of Self Representation vs. Hiring an Attorney?
In many traffic accidents, you may be able to resolve things without hiring a lawyer. These are often small cases only involving damage to the vehicles, and no personal injuries to drivers, passengers or pedestrians. If you are involved in such a fender bender or single vehicle accident, you may be able to resolve things yourself. This will entail reporting the accident to your auto insurance company, exchanging information with the other driver, and working with the adjuster assigned to your claim. In doing so, you will avoid the cost of paying an attorney to represent you or having the attorney receive a percentage of the claim payments in a contingent fee situation. The main benefit aside from cost saving is the ability to control the claim process, making up your own mind if you are satisfied with the offer from the insurance company.
Of course, if you decide to be self-represented, you will have no one to blame but yourself if something goes wrong. An experienced attorney will bring years of experience to your claim. While this comes at a price, it is often worth the cost. In general, insurance companies are more likely to offer a higher settlement to someone represented by a lawyer than one who is self-represented. In fact, the difference can be as great as 3.5 times more for similar situations.
Why do Attorneys get Better Settlement Offers?
When you hire an attorney, you get an experienced individual who will take experience and knowledge to your case. That includes assessing your claim to determine its value. In addition, a legal representative will be objective in his or her assessment of your case, as well as any offer from the insurance company. This is vital in a legal matter, since our judgment can often be clouded by our personal feelings.
Lawyers are also trained in how to build a case. Your attorney will know what evidence will be needed to strengthen your claim, and how to handle any information that might undermine your case in any way. This is crucial to getting the best settlement possible from an insurance company.
What are some Tactics used by Insurance Companies in Car Accident Claims?
Dealing with an insurance company following a car accident can be a very frustrating experience. The three D’s of insurance are delay, deny, and defend. This is especially true if an auto insurance company is faced with a complex case involving serious injuries.
If you are dealing with your accident claim on your own, you may be subject to delaying tactics, such as failing to return your calls or constantly asking for additional information that may not be relevant to your claim. An attorney can help you cut through all this red tape. In addition, insurers often question the severity of injuries, especially if you are claiming for pain and suffering, or psychological injuries that are more difficult to quantify. In addition, many insurance companies will make an initial lowball settlement offer when dealing with a self-represented claimant. Hiring an attorney will get the insurance company to dispense with these and other tactics as they will not want to risk a lawsuit for denying a claim in bad faith.
What are some Types of Cases Where it is Crucial to Retain an Attorney?
While not every car accident requires legal representation, in some certain situations, you will be best served by hiring an attorney. For example, if you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in the collision, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the complex situation involving medical bills, loss of income, and future medical needs. It is also helpful to have an attorney represent you if the case involved an uninsured or hit-and-run motorist, as well as multi-car pile ups. These are complicated situations where establishing fault and finding responsible parties can be very difficult. Finally, if you have been representing yourself but have only gotten low settlement offers or denials from the insurance company, then you may need to consider hiring an attorney to take over your case.
Contact Our Chicago Traffic Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, trying to handle the claim yourself can often lead to unsatisfactory settlement offers and personal aggravation. The experienced traffic accident attorneys at Hale & Monico can help you with your claim, getting you the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today for a consultation.