Were you involved in an auto accident that was clearly caused by another person? If so, you may think that you should have an easy case on your hands and do not need to hire a lawyer. However, you may still have an uphill battle against you. Here are a few things to know about the necessity of a lawyer.
Is A Lawyer Needed If You Suffered No Major Injuries?
You may think that a lawyer isn't necessary because your injuries were not great enough to bring in legal assistance. However, it is always worth consulting with a lawyer to talk about your case. They can advise you on what your rights are regarding the car accident and discuss possible compensation that you may be entitled to. At the very least, you'll learn about how a lawyer can help file a claim on your behalf and deal with the insurance company.
How Does Fault Play Into Your Auto Accident Injury Case?
It's important to be aware of how your state deals with fault in an auto accident case. Some states award compensation that is proportional to the fault that you hold. This means that if you are found 10% responsible for causing an accident, then you would receive 90% of the compensation you win from the defendant.
However, there are states that have very strict laws regarding fault, and require the defendant to have 100% of the fault in order to pay compensation to an injured driver or passenger. If the plaintiff is found to hold any percentage of fault, then they would receive nothing. Things can also be complicated in no-fault auto insurance states. While these states are designed to make filing an auto insurance claim easy for minor fender benders, you still need to file a lawsuit to recover damages for major injuries.
Thankfully, a lawyer can help you out in all of these complicated situations.
Will Your Insurance Provider Help You Out?
One thing to keep in mind when working with any insurance company is that they have a goal of paying out as little as possible. This is true even when you are dealing with your own insurance company. You may need to use uninsured motorist coverage or be involved in a hit-and-run, leaving you without an insurance provider to seek compensation from. That's why it is important to still work with a lawyer, even if you are using your own insurance policy. You may be surprised at how adverse your insurance provider can be.
For more information, contact a local law firm, like Cormany Law.
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