If you were injured in a car crash caused by another driver, you want to recover your damages by filing a claim against them. You know that the law and truth are on your side. However, if you want to win the fair compensation you deserve, you also need a Beaufort car accident lawyer to prepare your claim and negotiate it with the insurance company.
At this point, you are probably worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. Here is what you need to know on this topic.
Car Accident Attorneys Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Most personal injury lawyers – including those specializing in car accident claims – do not charge advance fees or hourly fees. Instead, they offer a contingency fee agreement. This means that, after the lawyer wins your claim, they will collect a percentage out of the total settlement amount.
This is a win-win situation for you as the client. On the one hand, you don’t have to worry if you afford a lawyer, because there are no advance fees. On the other hand, the lawyer does not get paid if they don’t win your case, so they have a vested interest in doing a great job for each client.
The average contingency fee is between 30% and 45% of the settlement amount and varies based on the lawyer’s experience and track record.
Hiring an Attorney Means Access to More Resources
A skilled Beaufort car accident attorney has access to various types of evidence that you could not obtain. Here are a few instances:
- The other driver’s phone log from their mobile carrier proves that they were texting and driving when they hit you.
- The driver’s history of traffic violations shows that they have a habit of speeding or reckless driving.
- Traffic camera footage from the moment when the accident happened.
- Expert witnesses in specialized fields, who can support your claims.
In some situations, without these resources, it is impossible to prove your case and win the compensation you deserve.
An Attorney Provides Expertise and Peace of Mind
If you consider saving the car crash lawyer’s fee, consider the stress you will be facing as you fight your legal battle on your own. In between treatment sessions, follow-up medical appointments, and physical therapy, you will have to:
- Collect evidence.
- Calculate your damages.
- Prepare the letter of demand in a standard format.
- Make sure you do not miss any deadlines for filing documents.
- Attend the technical expertise of your vehicle.
- Meet with the insurance adjuster to negotiate.
All these require time, effort, and expertise. A lawyer knows exactly what has to be done and when to win your case. With legal representation on your side, you can focus solely on recovering from your injuries, while the lawyer works on your behalf.
Insurance Companies Have Experienced Adjusters, Who Know the Law
If you still wonder, “Why hire an attorney if my case is clear as daylight?” Here’s a rude wake-up call: no case is as clear as daylight, especially when you have to deal with an insurance adjuster.
These professionals know the law as well as an attorney. And they will do everything they can to use it against you. Here’s an instance: our state uses the modified comparative negligence principle in all personal injury cases. Thus, you have to be 50% or less at fault to have the legal right to file a claim.
An adjuster will interpret the facts and evidence of the case in a manner that makes you 51% at fault. Based on this determination, they deny your claim. On your own, you don’t know how to counter the adjuster’s arguments. It takes an experienced lawyer, with equal, even superior knowledge of the law.
People With Lawyers Get a Higher Settlement
Finally, statistical data are clear on the matter: an attorney always manages to negotiate a larger settlement amount compared to plaintiffs who represent themselves. Thus, even after paying the contingency fee, the accident victim still walks away with more money than a person negotiating their claim.
Some reasons for this are:
- Lawyers know how to evaluate all your eligible damages, including some you were not aware of.
- The attorney will push for a lower percentage of fault assigned to you (which is used to reduce your total damages).
- The lawyer knows when to threaten with a lawsuit, with convincing arguments, to get a larger settlement.
Let a Skilled Beaufort Car Accident Lawyer Win Your Settlement!
Fighting a legal battle against an auto insurance company is extremely stressful and never results in a fair settlement if you are on your own. Insurers know how to take advantage of you and either deny your claim or give you a lowball settlement offer.
The best thing to do for your peace of mind and the chance of fair compensation is to bring your evidence to an experienced Beaufort car accident lawyer at our firm.
Contact McDougall Law Firm, LLC at 843-438-4386 for a free case evaluation!
