Car accidents occur every single day in the United States. Approximately 90 people die every day because of car accidents, with even more people sustaining injuries. On top of that, studies show that the average person gets into a car accident every 17 and a half years.
Most people will get into a car accident at least once in their lifetime. But filing a lawsuit against the negligent party still seems to be a foreign concept to those who have never had to do it before. This is totally understandable. The lawsuit process can be confusing and even daunting for those who have never had to deal with it. That’s why it’s so important to hire an attorney to help with your case.
By hiring an attorney, you’ll be able to avoid many stressful situations and headaches, including these described below.
Losing Out on Benefits Because You Settled Too Quickly
In many cases, often because people don’t know any better, they’ll contact their insurance company to start the process of filing a claim immediately after the car accident occurs. When you contact insurance companies without an attorney present, they may try to pressure you into settling quickly and for a small sum of money. This offer of quick cash is pleasing to many, especially those who haven’t racked up damages yet.
By accepting a small settlement too quickly, you won’t know how much damage the accident caused. And you’ll lose out on receiving compensation for lost wages and further medical bills that could accumulate post-accident.
Your Claim Was Denied Because of Your Initial Statement
If you give a statement right after your accident, you may come to regret it later. When you don’t set aside time to think about what you should say (or speak with an attorney about it) you may say something by accident or say something incorrectly. Giving a statement early doesn’t give you enough time to collect your thoughts. And it may jeopardize your case in the future.
Insurance companies may also coerce you into saying what they want to hear. This is why it’s so important that you don’t speak to them without an attorney present.
You Didn’t File Your Claim in Time
In North Dakota, you have six years from the date of your accident to file a claim against the at-fault party. If you do not file your lawsuit in this timeframe, you may lose the ability to file a lawsuit at all.
File your lawsuit as soon as possible after the accident occurs to save yourself the headache. Filing early will also be helpful because the accident will be fresh in your mind. You won’t have to scratch your head to remember the exact details. It will also be a lot easier to get ahold of relevant documents and interview witnesses the faster you file.
Learn more: North Dakota Attorney Guide to Types of Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
The Mechanic Did a Bad Job Repairing Your Vehicle
When you speak to your insurance company, they’ll almost always refer you to a body shop or mechanic to get your car repaired. They do this to save money. But you don’t have to go to the mechanic or body shop that they request. You’re welcome to go wherever you’d like as long as you have an estimate performed before getting any service done.
Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies may attempt to pressure you into going to the mechanic or body shop that they prefer. An experienced attorney won’t let this happen and will argue your rights on your behalf.
You Didn’t Know Your Insurance Check Had a Release on It
Insurance companies will often send out insurance checks that have releases on them. They know you need money for your accident and that sooner is better. This means that when you sign the check, you’re releasing the insurance company from future liability. However, they often send out these checks without explaining what they mean or how they’ll affect your case. This means that recipients often believe they’re just receiving money without ulterior attachments.
By hiring an experienced car accident attorney, you’ll be able to prevent this from happening. Your car accident attorney will look over any documents, checks, or forms that you receive to make sure you aren’t or tricked into signing anything you shouldn’t.
Avoid These Annoying Situations by Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
We know how stressful it is to get into a car accident. Having to deal with insurance companies will only further add to that stress. If you don’t hire a car accident attorney, you may find yourself dealing with one of these stressful situations. To avoid them completely and ensure that you get the most compensation possible for your damages, hire an experienced car accident attorney.
Here at Sand Law, we care about your case and want to help you avoid stress. All while getting you the most compensation possible for your injuries. For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact us online or call us at 701-609-1510.