Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Settlement?

You do not have to hire a lawyer for a car accident settlement, but without a lawyer to negotiate on your behalf, you can miss out on compensation you deserve. It is possible to file an insurance claim and negotiate for a settlement on your own. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit without a personal injury lawyer. However, working with a car accident lawyer can help ensure that you receive full and fair compensation when you’ve been seriously injured.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Lawyer?

For car accident cases, hiring a lawyer is often the best way to ensure that you receive the full amount of damages owed to you in a personal injury claim. In some cases, insurance companies may try to deny your claim or offer an unfair settlement that doesn’t cover all your medical bills and expenses. An experienced car accident lawyer can help negotiate a better deal on your behalf.

Recoverable Damages in Car Accident Claims

The insurance company may compensate car accident victims for:

• Medical expenses: if you were injured in a car accident, your current and future accident-related medical bills and expenses might be covered.
• Property damage: damage to your vehicle and other property may also be covered in a car accident settlement.
• Loss of income: you may be able to claim lost wages if your injuries prevented you from working during your recovery.
• Pain and suffering: any emotional or physical pain you have due to your car accident injuries may also be recovered.

Without a lawyer on your side, it may be difficult to conduct settlement negotiations, prove pain and suffering damages, and decide if a settlement offer is fair compensation. The car accident lawyers from our law firm can user their experience to help determine the amount of compensation to which you may be entitled in your motor vehicle accident case.

Accepting a Settlement Offer and Signing an Insurance Release of Claim Form

After an auto accident, insurance adjusters from insurance company of the at fault driver may reach out to you with a settlement offer. It is important to understand that accepting a settlement offer may require you to sign a release that prevents you from suing for further compensation later. In other words, a settlement offer may be final.

Because of this, it is important to carefully examine the settlement offer and make sure that it reflects the value of all your damages. If you sign off on a low settlement offer and realize later that you have additional accident-related expenses, you may be unable to recover further compensation for your serious injuries.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

• Representation: The most important benefit of hiring a lawyer for your car wreck settlement is having legal representation through the car accident settlement process. A lawyer will ensure that you get the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.
• Support and Counsel: Many people who have been in car accidents experience emotional or physical distress. Your lawyer can provide support and advice as well as legal guidance throughout the entire settlement process.
• Negotiation Skills: Experienced lawyers have the knowledge and skills to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. They understand how auto insurance companies work and can help ensure that you are offered a fair settlement for your damages.
• Resources to Gather Evidence: To recover compensation in a car accident case, you may need to provide evidence that proves the responsible party’s liability including the police report, medical records, videos from the accident scene, witness statements, expert testimony, and more. This is not always an easy task and a car accident attorney can collect evidence on your behalf.

Overall, hiring a lawyer for a car accident settlement is often in your best interest. An experienced lawyer will assist you with the car accident claim process can provide peace of mind and help maximize the compensation you receive. However, some minor car accident cases can be settled directly with the insurance company without issue. It ultimately depends on the specifics of your accident and injuries.

Contributory Fault in Illinois

Per 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, the state uses a contributory fault system in personal injury cases. So long as you are less than 50% at fault, you still may be able to recover compensation for your damages. Keep in mind that your payout will be reduced according to your degree of fault.

Statute of Limitations

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, there is a general two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, and most car accident cases will be subject to this time limit. If you fail to take legal action by the deadline in your case, your lawsuit may be dismissed, and you may be unable to recover any compensation for your damages. A lawyer can help you file your case on time and meet appropriate deadlines.

Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Today

If you are considering pursuing a settlement or filing a personal injury lawsuit after being injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys can provide the legal assistance and guidance you need for your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.