What does a Lawyer Do for Me When I Am in a Car Accident?

If you’re in a car accident, the insurance companies are supposed to pay for everything. And often, one of them will offer you a check very quickly after your accident. So why do you need a lawyer? What exactly does a lawyer do for you when you’re in a car accident?

In many cases, they do a lot. Sometimes you don’t need a lawyer—but other times, perhaps even the majority of car accident cases, you can end up recovering a lot more money with a lawyer than without one. And in some cases, having a lawyer is the difference between winning your case and getting paid nothing at all.

The 4 Things a Lawyer does After a Car Accident

While each case is different, if you’ve been hurt in a car accident there are four main ways a lawyer can help you:

1. They tell you if you’re getting a fair deal. Lawyers work on a percentage of the money they win. So they’re only going to take your case if they believe they can win it. In other words, if the amount the insurance company is already offering you is fair, they’ll say so. But they also understand the law—and the strategies insurers use to underpay people. If a lawyer says you could win a lot more, they’re often right. Your lawyer’s first job is to simply get you an informed professional opinion so you know whether to take the money or fight for more.
2. They help you prove what happened. It’s rare for an insurance company to take the victim’s whole story at face value. What if they say you caused the accident? What if they claim you’re faking your injuries? Or what if they simply don’t believe you need as much medical care as your doctor says? Your lawyer’s main job is to build a case and prove what happened—and how much money you need.
3. They negotiate. On your own, you don’t have much bargaining power against an insurance company. But a lawyer does. Lawyers understand how past cases have been settled, and how the courts see each kind of injury. They can often force insurers to the bargaining table and win you the amount you need—often without ever going to court.
4. They know the legal system. Whether it’s documentation in an insurance claim, or filing motions at the courthouse, the legal system is not easy for the uninitiated. Your lawyer can handle all of the legal work, from the beginning to the end. And if your case needs to go to court, they can fight for you. That’s what they do.

You won’t necessarily need all of these services. But chances are you’ll need at least some of them. And that’s why a good lawyer offers a free consultation: to get you a professional opinion and help you decide if you need an attorney or not.

Let the attorneys at John Foy & Associates help you for free. We will give you a FREE consultation, answer your questions, and help you make an informed choice on what you need in your case. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.