A car accident is the kind of event that can suddenly turn your life upside down on so many levels. One minute, you’re behind the wheel and on your way somewhere, just like any other day in Houston. Next, you’re looking at multiple issues, including but not necessarily limited to car repairs, injuries, insurance problems, and everything that comes with them.
While it might be tempting to simply wash your hands of the incident and let the insurance companies handle everything, that’s the last thing you want to do. Many Texas auto accidents have a way of becoming unexpectedly complicated, especially when it comes to getting a fair claim from your insurance company. That’s where a good attorney comes in. Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider hiring a car accident attorney in Houston.
1. Your attorney will fully understand the law
Naturally, when you’ve just survived a car crash, your biggest concerns are going to be healing (if you’ve been injured), getting your car fixed, and getting back to normal as quickly as possible. But you won’t be able to do that properly until you’ve received the settlement you’re entitled to. You’ll need a thorough understanding of the local Texas law to do that.
However, laws are often trickier to interpret and more complicated than the average person expects. An experienced attorney who’s well-versed in car accident law will have a thorough understanding of all the laws applicable to your case and can genuinely help you make sure you know all your options.
2. Your attorney has the experience you don’t
Yes, it’s possible to represent yourself when it comes to pursuing your car accident claim. But that doesn’t mean you should. Keep in mind that insurance companies don’t want to pay out unless they have to. Yours is counting on you not knowing or understanding all your options. They’re definitely banking on the likelihood of you not knowing what a fair settlement really looks like.
When you have an experienced car accident attorney handling your case, everything changes. Attorneys have a complete understanding of what does and does not cause a car accident. They know what all the possible outcomes might be for a case like yours, and they know what values to assign to any damages. Best of all, the insurance companies know they’re dealing with someone experienced who will fight on your side to get you the compensation you deserve.
3. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance companies
Although you may well be reluctant to communicate with the insurance companies involved in your case for reasons of your own, there are excellent reasons why you shouldn’t. It’s all too easy for something you might say to be twisted around, taken out of context, or otherwise used against you to damage your claim.
Allowing an attorney to handle all of your communications on your behalf pretty much eliminates that possibility. Instead, you’ll have someone knowledgeable speaking for you and ensuring everything that should be said gets said in precisely the right way. Remember, your insurance company is looking to turn a profit, which means looking for a reason not to pay you what you’re owed. Getting an attorney involved officially makes that very hard for them to do.
4. Your attorney will negotiate your settlement for you, too
What makes the difference between a great settlement and one that’s not so great is how it’s valued. Although you may have already thought of damage to your vehicle and any medical bills you may have incurred so far, there’s more to a fair settlement than that. Examples include:
- Medical bills you may have in the future as a result of your accident, including those related to physical therapy
- Any wages you may lose now or in the future due to an inability to work as you usually would
- Costs associated with any potential future problems you might have because of your accident, including PTSD
- Damage to other property over and above your automobile
There’s so much about getting back to normal after a car accident that becomes easier when you hire a top Houston auto accident attorney. So, get started today, and take the first step toward getting your life back!