Do You Need a Lawyer for an Auto Accident That Was Not Your Fault?
Auto accidents happen all the time, and it’s important to know your rights if you are involved in an accident. So, if you’ve been involved in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault — do you need a lawyer? As a reputable auto accident attorney in Philadelphia, we’ve created this piece to shed some light on this topic.
First and foremost, consider that Pennsylvania is one of 12 U.S. states with “no-fault” insurance. No-fault states offer personal injury protection insurance, which will cover your accident-related medical bills up to your selected limit (usually $5,000). In today’s world, however, $5,000 can be spent on medical bills in the blink of an eye. So then what?
The Golden Rule for Hiring a Lawyer When an Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
Professional attorneys (like us here at Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C.) are here to answer the question: Should you hire an attorney to make a claim against a driver who is clearly at fault?
Ask Yourself: Have You Sustained a Serious Injury?
The golden rule is this: If you have sustained severe injuries, we recommend that you hire an attorney. By “serious,” we mean an injury that has had severe physical or psychological consequences. Do you have broken bones, scarring, herniated discs in your neck or back, neurological injuries? Have you been forced to take time off work because of your injuries?
Insurance companies are NOT inclined to compensate victims for personal injuries without an attorney. Generally speaking, they will offer very minimal compensation to the injured person in the hopes that the victim will take a low settlement amount. Sometimes, this plan works for insurance companies.
Why do I Need an Attorney?
Insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying out in the event of an accident. This business plan is what has allowed them to become the giant companies that they are today. Part of their strategy is to either “lowball” or flat out deny your claim. And this is why you need an attorney. Negotiation between an attorney and an insurance company are generally very different from negotiation between the victim and the insurance company.
Your Attorney’s Role
Your attorney’s role is to assess the value of your case and use this information to fight for your compensation. This means that they will work hard to retrieve compensation economic and non-economic damages, these categories include pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
For additional information, or to talk to an auto or truck accident lawyer Philadelphia, click here to contact a member of our team now.
