Personal Injury Claim: “Do It Yourself” (DIY) or Hire an Attorney?
When you are injured in a car wreck, you are faced with the question: should I hire an attorney or handle this on my own? We believe hiring a car accident attorney is within your best interest. Nevertheless, you may not agree. To help you decide, here’s more information.
Team Approach: Hiring an Attorney to Represent You
There are many advantages to hiring an attorney to represent you in an injury claim. One of the most valuable advantages? With attorney representation, most insurance company adjusters will automatically increase the estimated value of your case.
Another advantage to note: when you hire an attorney to work on your case, they are ethically bound to make every decision in your best interest. However, when you work directly with an insurance company, an insurance adjuster does not have the same ethical obligation to treat you fairly.
Aside from these two significant advantages that come with hiring an attorney, there are many other benefits to attorney representation.
DIY Approach: Handling an Injury Claim on Your Own
In comparison to the team approach, handling an injury claim on your own has minimal advantages. Yes, if your goal is purely speed, handling the claim on your own will often get you a check in your hand quicker than when you use an attorney. However, it also comes at a cost: a lower payout for your injury claim.
On the other hand, an attorney who is familiar with injury claims will want to take the time to ensure that all of your medical bills are taken into consideration. This usually results in higher claim values.
Moreover, if you have a large case and decide to handle the case on your own, you may be unaware of certain types of insurance coverage.
By hiring an experienced attorney, you won’t have to worry about missed opportunities. Your attorney will identify all potential coverages and apply them to your injury claim ensuring that you receive the most amount of money possible on your case.
The DIY approach can turn your trust of being given a fair value for your claim into dust. The unfortunate truth is that most insurance companies give their employees incentives to pay out the least amount possible. This equates to less money in your pocket and more for them.
For example, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will pay for your medical bills immediately; it will also pay for rehabilitation services, and can provide $25/day for help around the house. Other types of insurance that may cover accident injuries and damages include underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.
Without an attorney, you may potentially miss out on thousands of dollars for your claim.
Get Fair and Honest Injury Claim Representation
In short, at Patterson Legal Group, LC our experienced auto accident attorneys are prepared to help you get fair value for an injury claim. Accordingly, our clients often realize a great result for their injuries. Call us today at 888-687-2400 for a free initial consultation to find out what our team can do for you. You can also learn more about our lawyers, connect with us via LiveChat, or request your free case review by filling out this form.
The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.
