When you’re injured in a car accident, it’s natural to want to get back on the road as quickly as possible, and to settle your claim swiftly. Because of this, you may even be tempted to handle the claims process yourself and save some money in the process. But if you’ve ever been involved in a car accident before, you know how stressful it can be dealing with insurance companies and fighting for fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Not to mention any permanent injuries. All of this can be avoided by hiring a personal injury lawyer who can stand in the gap to ensure that you get fair compensation. Here’s how getting a lawyer can save you money in the long run.

Insurance Companies Want to Give You the Least Amount Possible

Insurance companies don’t want to give you the money you need and deserve. Most of them want to settle your case for as little as possible. Because they are in the business of making money and if they pay out what people really deserve, they won’t make as much in the long run. They will even go as far as trying to tell you why they can’t pay you as much as you need them to. A car accident attorney can work with the insurance company to ensure that you get fair and adequate compensation. This is especially important if you have an injury that is taking a long time to heal or that caused permanent damage.

If You’re in an Accident, You’ll Have to Handle all the Paperwork Alone

There is a lot of paperwork to take care of after a crash. And when you don’t have a lawyer, you have to do all this paperwork on your own. When you are injured and recovering, this can be very overwhelming emotionally and can cause many frustrations. If you hire an attorney, they do all of this work for you. This allows you to focus on getting better and back to normal as quickly as possible.

A Lawyer Can Help You Get a Large Settlement

Attorneys can help to strong-arm the insurance companies to help you get more than enough compensation. You could even win a larger settlement if you have a lawyer helping you. They are experts at navigating the legal process, understanding the long-term needs you might have for care after an accident, and getting you the compensation you need for lost wages now and in the future. Filing a claim and fighting for your rights can feel like going up against a giant. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to get through all the red tape so that you can get more than enough for you injuries and pain.

The Insurance Company Often Pays the Legal Fees

When you win your case, the insurance company will be liable for the legal fees you incur to get to that point. Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and whether an attorney has to go to court. Some injury attorneys will simply charge you an hourly rate, while others will get a percentage of any settlement amount. Either way, the legal fees are paid after your case gets settled, not before. Medical bills often get paid first out of a settlement, and then the lawyer gets paid. Whatever is left over is for pain and emotional damages, lost wages, etc.

Lawyers Will Document Your Injuries and Losses

An attorney will make sure all of your injuries are documented correctly so that you get proper compensation for them. While some car accident injuries are obvious and immediate, others aren’t. The most common example is when someone has a whiplash injury that isn’t noticed until later. In this case, you could end up needing medical attention for weeks after you are hurt.

Insurance Companies Want to Settle for Less

Insurance companies try to tell you how much they think should get paid for current and future medical expenses. They also don’t put a lot of value on your lost wages and pain and suffering. Going without income can be hard, so it’s tempting to want to settle for what they are offering instead of getting a lawyer to help you get more. It’s important to at least get a free consultation with an accident attorney so that they can help you negotiate a higher settlement with the insurance company.