Do I Still Need a Car Wreck Injury Lawyer if I’ve Already Been Offered a Settlement?

Do I Still Need a Car Wreck Injury Lawyer if I’ve Already Been Offered a Settlement?

Car wreck victims who attempt to manage their own cases often receive disappointing settlement offers. Insurance companies seek to minimize payouts and rarely offer the full amount you deserve according to the law. Before accepting any settlement, it’s best to at least consult with a car wreck injury attorney in San Antonio; you’ll quickly learn the true strength and value of your case. For now, let’s look at when and when not to manage your case without legal counsel.

Do I Still Need a Car Wreck Injury Lawyer if I’ve Already Been Offered a Settlement?

When To Consider Handling Your Own Claim

If you can tick the boxes for the following conditions in your car wreck case, then you might consider a DIY approach to your claim. Otherwise, hiring a lawyer is almost always your wisest option.

You’re Already Being Offered the Maximum Policy Payout

When reading the insurance policy, if you realize the settlement offered is the plan’s maximum payout, then you could have a decent deal. Insurers never pay more than the maximum payout limit. If you push for more, the defendant themselves will be paying you directly, and you’ll only receive the money if they’re relatively wealthy.

On the other hand, for an insurance company to offer the maximum payout right away, the car accident and your damages must have been pretty severe. In this case, your damages might have exceeded the maximum policy payout, and you should consider going after the defendant for more with the help of a good attorney.

You’ve Suffered Very Minor Injuries and Property Damage

If the car accident was more of a dink than a crash, leaving both you and your vehicle pretty much unscathed, then you might not need a lawyer. The first settlement offer you receive might be enough to pay for any minor repairs to your car, plus the one or two doctor’s visits you had.

But in this situation, be wary of delayed injury symptoms. And remember that minor injuries can worsen later on, potentially costing you a great deal more in medical bills and other damages like pain and suffering and lost wages due to missed work. Once you’re accepted a settlement, there are no second offers. You can’t repeat the same claim twice.

You Want to Handle Negotiations Yourself

As you’re now looking into hiring an attorney, you’re probably unhappy with your current settlement offer. Persuading the insurance company to increase the payout requires a solid understanding of your full legal rights and damages, strong evidence to support your claim, skillful communication, and plenty of time.
If you’re confident you can do all this alone, then you’re welcome to try. For car accidents totaling under $5,000 of damages, you can even take an uncooperative insurer to Small Claims Court and represent yourself. But even with very small cases, it usually makes more sense to have an experienced car wreck attorney negotiate for you and take things to court for you, too, if need be.

When You Should Hire a Car Wreck Attorney

The vast majority of car accident victims hire legal representation and receive a better outcome as a result. Here are the conditions that should prompt you to lawyer up without delay.

You’ve Suffered More Than Minor Injuries

Any serious harm to your body or vehicle will be expensive to recover and repair. An attorney can help you understand the full costs of your accident, including potential future medical bills for ongoing treatment.

You Don’t Know Which Damages To Demand

There are all kinds of damages you can claim, including lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment in life, harmed relationships, and more. Without an attorney, you’re unlikely to push for the settlement to cover the full damages you’re entitled to.

You’re Unfamiliar With the Law

Car wreck attorneys are intimately familiar with the settlement process and your legal rights as the victim. They can guide you through it all and, equally important, make sure you don’t slip up and harm your claim with the wrong communication or action.

You Want a Higher Settlement

On average, claimants with attorneys win three and a half times more money than claimants without legal help. The attorney will establish your full damages, gather evidence, and negotiate effectively to achieve the fair settlement you deserve.

Finding a Car Wreck Injury Attorney in San Antonio

Speaking to a few local car accident lawyers can provide invaluable insights into your case, and their free consultations cost you nothing. Learn more here about a top-notch law firm offering free consultations in San Antonio. And don’t be shy when you talk to them: ask every lawyer plenty of questions before choosing the one that works for you.

Expect a Lawyer To Double or Triple Your Settlement

Almost all auto accident lawyers only charge a fee when they win the case. This fee is usually around 33 percent of the final settlement.

Ask every attorney you talk to how much they believe they can increase your current settlement offer and how they’re going to achieve it. Expect them to double or triple your payout to make hiring the lawyer financially worthwhile.

In summary, the answer to your question is almost always yes; you still need a car wreck lawyer, even with a settlement offer. Find the right attorney soon and win the payout you deserve.