Car accidents can happen at just about anytime, to just about anyone. Still, many of us think, “Oh, that’s something that happens to other people.” In reality, very few people can live lives that keep them safe from car accidents all the time, especially here in Chicago.
Because many people never think about what to do after a car accident until it happens to them, they may assume that the logical course of action is to let insurance companies handle everything — that’s what they’re there for, isn’t it?
Insurance companies do pay for damages and injuries after an accident, and they provide a valuable service. However, they are also businesses who answer to their stakeholders. Like any other business, an insurance company looks for ways to increase profit margins, and often that means offering victims less than they truly deserve for an injury.
A skilled lawyer works on your behalf, representing you and protecting your interests to insurance companies, among other things. If you suffer an injury in a car accident, you have enough on your plate simply dealing your physical recovery. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need in your moment of need.
Can a lawyer help me secure a better settlement?
The short answer is yes, usually. It is impossible to assess the value of any given personal injury claim without understanding the details of the accident and the injury, but a lawyer will bring invaluable experience and education to the table.
Depending on the nature of your claim, an insurer may offer you much less than you need and deserve, but without experience in the process, you have no way of knowing that you are being cheated. It takes more time and effort to understand your claim fully and special tools to negotiate for a better offer.
An experienced lawyer also knows how to avoid many setbacks in the process, ensuring that you do not lose precious time or money to an insurer’s tricks of the trade.
Can a lawyer help me focus on recovery?
One of the other primary benefits of enlisting the help of a lawyer is that you no longer bear the burden of coordinating your medical care and billing with an insurer.
The strain of physical recovery is a big burden in and of itself, and adding in the logistics of dealing with an insurer and a medical care provider can easily overwhelm you. A lawyer can represent you in this process, making sure that you do not waste time or mental energy worrying about paying medical bills that should not be your responsibility in the first place.
In many cases, a car accident lawyer can negotiate flexible payment schedules with medical care providers so that you can get all the care you truly need while taking the time to truly build a comprehensive injury claim.