The quick answer is that yes, this is true, especially if there are injuries, piling up medical bills, and issues with insurance. Most car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client owes them nothing if they are not successful with the case. This makes them more accessible during the times that the client needs them most.
When a Lawyer Makes Sense for Your Situation
A car accident interrupts everything. As a business owner or full-time employee, the situation seems even more serious because your income depends on being able to work.
A personal injury lawyer becomes a critical requirement if you have injuries that need further treatment. Sometimes pain that seems harmless at the beginning may escalate into a serious condition. Whiplash injuries, soft tissue injuries, and back injuries tend to escalate over a period of days. The cost of treatment multiplies rapidly, and insurance companies understand this.
Finally, you may require the services of a lawyer when the other party’s insurance company contests the fault party. Insurance companies regularly attempt to attribute the responsibility of the accident on the other party and even on the client too. Also at this point, under Nevada law, the client can still win the case if they are up to 50% responsible but with the reduction of the pay according to the client’s fault.
If the accident has affected your employment or business, an attorney assists you with documenting lost earnings and projected future earnings. This principle proves very valuable if the accident victim owns their own business and cannot take time off.
Why Timing Matters More Than You Think
The days and weeks following an accident are very important. Evidence vanishes rapidly. Footage on traffic cameras is deleted after a few weeks. Witnesses’ memories fade. The details of what happened to you will gradually fade from your mind too.
Insurance adjusters tend to get in touch with the victim within the first 24 hours. They usually come across as very helpful but with an intent of paying out as little as possible on this insurance company’s part. What the victim may say can potentially lower the value of the insurance pay-out. An offer of immediate settlement may even come without the victim checking the extent of their injuries.
Before giving any recorded statements to insurance companies, it is advisable that you consult a lawyer. This will save you from unknowingly undermining your own case.
You have two years from the accident to file a personal injury suit under Nevada Law. This may seem like an eternity; however, spending months preparing a solid case and customarily reasonable medical treatment of up to a year or more may make the clock run out sooner than expected. This leaves little choice but to settle for less.
At-Fault System: Nevada’s Process and What This Means to You
Nevada is an at-fault state regarding car accidents. This implies that the party that causes the accident must pay the costs of the damages. You file the case with the insurance company of the at-fault party.
Minimum liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $50,000 per accident, and property damage liability of at least $20,000 must be maintained by all motorists operating within the state of Nevada. Sadly, these amounts prove insufficient at times to cover serious bodily injuries.
Residents of the Las Vegas area face peculiar conditions. The renowned Las Vegas Strip annually attracts millions of visitors who are not aware of the road networks. Traffic congested around the resort areas causes numerous accidents. Most of the visitors carry low insurance coverages that come from other states, thus complicating the process of filing the cases.
Also, the state of Nevada adopts the modified comparative negligence standard. Even if both of you are at fault for the accident, the amount of your compensation will decrease proportionate to your fault. This works well for insurance carriers. They hunt hard for a reason to fault the plaintiff partially.
A seasoned attorney can ensure that these strategies are effectively overcome while safeguarding your rights, which is why it’s important to hire a lawyer after a car accident.
How Lawyers Actually Help Your Case
Having lawyers on their side can give them the benefit of someone who understands the tactics of the insurance companies and the knowledge of how to effectively counter them.
Handling communication with insurers is the responsibility of your attorney. This ensures that you do not say anything that could later be used against you. They know what information should filter on whether an agreement should be reached or not.
They also assess the right value of your suit. The average plaintiff typically lowballs the value of the suit. You may only figure the immediate costs of the suit. But what about future care? Physical therapy sessions? Loss of business income while recovering? Pain and suffering? A lawyer avoids this problem by including every item.
They do this by collecting and presenting their evidence so that their cases are well-made. This may involve getting police reports, medical records, and even expert testimony if the case requires it. Business owners may hire financial experts if they need proof of lost income.
If settlement negotiations prove unsuccessful, your attorney can file a suit on your behalf. Insurance companies know which lawyers may litigate the case. This single fact often motivates insurers to make a better offer because of the possibility of litigation when you have a lawyer after a car accident.
When You Might Handle Things Yourself
Not every fender bender necessitates the involvement of an attorney. You can go it alone if the following conditions are met.
There are no injuries reported. Damage to property could be minimal, a possibly scratched bumper. The other party clearly caused the accident. The other party admits fault. The insurance company of the other party readily admits fault. The combined damages do not even come close to the policy limit.
Even under these conditions, make sure that you get checked out by a doctor. Sometimes injuries don’t result in visible symptoms right away. All of this needs to be documented with pictures and notes.
But the biggest warning is with regard to deciding that you are just fine. What may appear like an insignificant soreness may progress into debilitating pain next week. After accepting a settlement offer and executing a release of your rights, you may not be able to pursue further relief with regard to the injury if your condition changes later on.
The Cost Factor and Contingency Fees Contingency fees refer
One of the reasons why people who have accidents may choose not to hire an attorney is the fear of lawyer fees. This fear may not actually address the realities of the situation.
Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingent fee agreement. This type of lawyer will only get paid if you receive payment after the case. Otherwise, you will not pay them a single penny even if you end up on the losing end of the case. This makes the interests of the lawyer align with that of your case. They only get paid if you get paid too. Most lawyers charge a contingent fee of approximately 33 percent of your compensation.
Think about it in a different way. Which offer do you prefer, a 67 percent fair valuation of a settlement or the full 100 percent of a lowball offer that doesn’t even come close to compensating you for your losses? Insurance companies pay significantly more when lawyers are involved, and when you have a lawyer after a car accident. Represented plaintiffs consistently obtain awards that are twice to three times higher than awards received by unrepresented plaintiffs.
This typically costs much more than the legal fees themselves. Also, there’s the relief of not having to personally manage the situation while dealing with recovery and protecting your business when you have a lawyer after a car accident.
What Do You Do Immediately After an Accident?
The steps that you take directly after the accident can affect whether or not you pursue compensation. This is what you should do.
- First of all, assess whether there are any injured persons and call the emergency services number, 911, if there are. Also, move cars away from the road if it’s safe.
- Exchange information with the other party that should include names and phone numbers of the parties involved. You should take images of the damaged vehicles and the road conditions. Get the details of the witnesses if there are any.
- FILE A POLICE REPORT. Police reports must be filed if there is bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $750 according to Nevada state law. This may prove helpful when determining liability.
- Go seek medical attention even if you do not feel like you are hurt. Adrenaline works as a pain-numbing agent; injuries may not show up right away. Having immediate care creates medical records that directly connect your injuries with the accident.
- Finally, after reporting the details of the accident, contact an attorney regarding discussing the issue with an insurance company. Allow them to assess your situation and tell you the best way to proceed.
Both your recovery and your income count. Insurance companies should not take advantage of you during this vulnerable period. You should hire an experienced attorney to make sure that insurance companies compensate you fairly.
Find a Home-Based Business to Start-Up >>> Hundreds of Business Listings.
