subject: Auto Accident Attorney - Your Steps Towards Compensation [print this page] Thanks to the media (and due in no small part to the effort of insurance companies and corporations around the country), most people have this weird belief that we are a sue-happy culture. Break a nail? Sue someone! Broke into someone's house and their dog bit you? Sue them! Sure, a case like that may have made the news once, but it doesn't paint an accurate picture of the legal culture at large. In reality, the opposite is usually the case. Many companies have escaped being sued when, really, they should have been. If you've been in a crash, you should at least talk to an auto accident attorney to see what your options are. Here are the steps to take towards compensation.
Find a Lawyer
You're not going to get far in your quest for compensation without talking to an auto accident attorney. While the insurance company may offer you a settlement, it will be the bare minimum amount they believe they can get away with. If you accept it, you'll never have the recourse to go back and demand more, regardless of what happens with your injuries. Think very carefully about negotiating a settlement yourself. It's true that in some cases hiring a lawyer may be overkill. But you should meet with someone before deciding what to do.
Negotiations
If you do choose to hire an auto accident attorney, his first responsibility will be to pressure the insurance company to pay what you believe you deserve. This number will come about from examining your hospital bills, your car repair bills, your lost wages, and any other financial factors that have arisen from the crash. In some cases, you may even want to request damages above and beyond what can be shown on paper, but don't get your hopes up. Even with a good lawyer on your side and a successful court case, you're unlikely to get substantial punitive damages. Due to abuse (or at least the perception of abuse), those have been largely done away with in many states.
Lawsuit
If you can't come to an agreement on terms with the opposing insurance company, you'll have the option of suing them. This is a big step to take and one you should consider carefully before taking. Yes, you have the right to compensation. You certainly have the right to have your day in court. But trials can be lengthy, drawn out processes. They can also be expensive. By the end of it, even a substantial settlement could be reduced considerably by court costs and lawyer fees. That's not to talk you out of it, but rather to give you something to think about. Don't sue unless you're ready to go all the way.
by: Abraham Avotina
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