Many victims of Louisiana auto accidents think they can manage the legal process on their own. They may wonder how hard it could really be. They figure they can talk to the insurance company and gather all their medical expenses.
Unfortunately, many crash victims do not know the risks of trying to manage the legal process on their own. They do not know the many ways insurance companies can take advantage of people who were injured in a collision.
Hiring a lawyer often results in recovering more compensation. This is partly because lawyers can prevent claimants from making common mistakes. Below, Galloway Jefcoat’s Lafayette-based car accident lawyers explain the risks involved in managing a case on your own, along with the benefits of hiring an experienced lawyer.
How Going it Alone Could Hurt Your Car Accident Case
These are just a few of the many disadvantages of trying to manage a car accident claim without an experienced lawyer:
Lack of Evidence
Crash victims who do not hire an attorney are less likely to collect all the important evidence, such as witness statements, pictures of the scene and relevant medical records.
Even if you get statements from witnesses, they may leave out important information that an attorney would know to ask about. An experienced lawyer can also figure out which witnesses could help your case and which ones might hurt your case.
Crash victims who forgo hiring a lawyer are also not going to be able to hire expert witnesses. Even though these people did not see the crash as it happened, they can use their expertise to explain what happened, how negligence was involved and why the crash caused your injuries.
Undervaluing Compensation for Ongoing Expenses and Damages
One of the most important aspects of your case is evaluating the damages you suffered. If another driver is at fault, he or she should be held financially liable for your damages.
However, calculating the full value of your damages is a challenge, especially if you have ongoing expenses, like the cost of prescription medications, rehabilitation therapy, lost earning capacity, and more. There are no bills or receipts for these expenses because they have not happened yet. You need to project what these expenses are likely to be based on numerous factors.
If you do not include the full cost of your ongoing damages, you may be stuck paying some costs out of your own pocket. Many people cannot afford these additional expenses.
If you hire an experienced lawyer, he or she can draw on his or her experience and legal knowledge to determine what future expenses you may have and what they may be worth. He or she may also consult experts, such as medical experts, to help make these calculations.
Recovering Compensation for Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refer to the non-economic damages suffered by the victim. These are the physical and psychological effects of an injury, such as how your quality of life has been impacted. For example, if you are suffering from back pain, it may be much harder to work or take part in activities with your family, which can cause mental health issues and decreased quality of life.
This type of compensation is difficult to calculate, as it is subjective. A pain multiplier can be used to quantify physical damage. However, emotional damages are more difficult to quantify.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we understand that injuries affect many aspects of victims’ lives. We know how to determine what pain and suffering may be worth, as we have helped many victims secure compensation for these damages.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
How Knowledgeable Attorneys Can Protect Your Rights
Knowledgeable attorneys can assist you with filing a claim and help you to seek the maximum compensation amount.
Some of the benefits of hiring an attorney include:
Recovering More Compensation
On average, car crash victims who hire an attorney may recover three times more compensation than those who do not. It is important to emphasize that this is an average and each case is different. Generally, attorneys can recover more compensation than those who manage their claims themselves.
Navigating the Complex Legal Process
There are a variety of laws and procedures involved in an injury claim. An experienced lawyer knows these things because he or she deals with them every day.
An experienced lawyer also knows how to deal with obstacles that can spring up, such as if the at-fault party lacks enough insurance to cover your damages, or if multiple drivers may be liable for the collision. Allowing a knowledgeable attorney to manage these issues frees you from having to figure out what to do. You can focus on your medical care. An experienced lawyer can also make sure not to miss important details.
Collecting Evidence
An attorney knows what type of evidence to use to make your case stronger. They know what information from your medical records helps to show your injuries are related to the crash.
They can hire expert witnesses like road engineers and accident reconstruction specialists to collect more evidence.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies want to keep money in their pockets, not pay it out to accident victims. This is why they often give low settlement offers and stall the process, hoping you will accept an offer that does not provide the compensation you need.
When you have an attorney working for you, he or she can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Advocacy in Court
It is rare for a car crash case to go to court, but if it happens Galloway Jefcoat’s attorneys are prepared for it. This is important because victims with attorneys who regularly take cases to court are more likely to increase their settlement offers.
Contact Our Lawyers For Help Navigating the Legal Process
If you are not sure what steps to take after a car crash, you can speak to one of our knowledgeable attorneys. We can determine if you might have a case and explain what you should do next.
Galloway Jefcoat has been securing compensation for vehicle crashes for decades. We take auto accident cases on contingency, so there are no upfront costs to pay.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."