Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Should I hire a car accident lawyer? If you were injured in a crash, working with an experienced attorney can significantly impact the amount of compensation you receive. 

Your New Orleans car accident lawyer can handle negotiations, gather evidence, and fight for your best interests while you focus on healing.

You Should Hire a Lawyer if You Suffered Serious Injuries

Severe car accident injuries can impact your ability to work, care for yourself, and maintain your quality of life. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain damage often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. If your injuries have led to extensive medical costs or permanent disabilities, hiring a car accident lawyer may give you the opportunity to recover compensation for one or more of the following damages:

• Emergency medical care – Ambulance transportation, hospital stays, and life-saving procedures required immediately after the accident.
• Surgical procedures – Operations needed to repair fractures, internal organ damage, or other severe injuries.
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy – Ongoing treatment to help regain mobility and function after a serious injury.
• Assistive medical devices – Wheelchairs, braces, prosthetics, and other medical equipment necessary for recovery.
• Long-term care – In-home nursing, rehabilitation centers, and other extended medical services for permanent disabilities.
• Lost income – Compensation for wages lost due to time off work, as well as reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your job.
• Pain and suffering – Financial compensation for the emotional and physical distress caused by the accident and its aftermath.

When an injury is severe, the financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Without legal representation, you may receive a settlement that does not fully cover your long-term needs. 

Your New Orleans personal injury lawyer can help you determine the full value of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.

You Should Hire a Lawyer When Medical Costs and Lost Wages Affect Your Future

Car accidents often result in significant medical expenses, from emergency room visits and surgeries to physical therapy and long-term rehabilitation. The cost of ongoing care can place a financial strain on you and your family, especially if you are unable to return to work. Seeking compensation through a legal claim can help cover these expenses and ensure that you receive the medical treatment you need.

Lost wages can make it difficult to keep up with daily expenses while you recover from your injuries. If you are unable to work for weeks or months, your financial stability may be at risk. When you hire a car accident lawyer, we can calculate the full extent of your lost earnings, including future wages, if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.

Permanent injuries can impact your ability to earn a living and may require adjustments to your career or daily activities. If your earning potential has been affected by the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost future income. The right legal representation can help ensure that your financial recovery accounts for both immediate and long-term losses.

You Should Hire a Lawyer If Fault for the Crash Is Disputed

Disputes over fault can complicate a car accident claim and affect the amount of compensation you receive. Insurance companies may try to argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the crash to reduce their financial liability. If there is disagreement about who caused the accident, the following factors can play a significant role in determining fault:

• Disputed liability – If the other driver denies responsibility, insurance companies may refuse to pay your claim or offer a lower settlement, or they could also blame you and attempt to take advantage of Louisiana comparative negligence laws under Louisiana Civil Code Title V, Article 2323. Proving fault may require gathering police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence.
• Multiple-party crashes – Accidents involving several vehicles can create complex liability issues. Determining who is responsible may require reviewing traffic camera footage, analyzing vehicle damage, and consulting experts.
• Cases involving commercial vehicles – If you were hit by a truck or company-owned vehicle, multiple parties may be liable. Trucking companies, employers, and vehicle manufacturers may all share responsibility for the crash.

When fault is disputed, gathering the right evidence can make the difference between securing fair compensation and having your claim denied. Insurance companies will look for any reason to reduce their payout, making it critical to have legal representation on your side to counter their arguments. Working with an experienced car accident attorney can help establish fault and ensure that you receive the financial recovery you deserve.

You Should Hire a Lawyer If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim

Insurance companies deny claims for a variety of reasons, including disputes over liability, policy limitations, and claims of insufficient evidence. If your claim was denied, you still have legal options to challenge the decision and pursue compensation. Your New Orleans personal injury lawyer can review the details of your case, negotiate with the insurer, and take legal action if necessary.

How Insurance Companies Try to Reduce Payouts

If you were injured in a car accident, the insurance company will likely try to pay you as little as possible. Adjusters may contact you quickly after the crash with a settlement offer that does not fully cover your expenses for medical care, loss of income, or other long-term needs. If you accept their first offer, you may not have enough compensation to cover future treatment or financial losses.

Insurers also use tactics to downplay the severity of your injuries or shift blame onto you. They may claim that your injuries were pre-existing or argue that your medical treatment was unnecessary. Some companies may even delay processing your claim, hoping you will give up or accept a lower settlement out of financial desperation.

Fighting against these tactics requires strong evidence, including medical records, accident reports, and expert evaluations. The more documentation you have to support your claim, the harder it is for the insurance company to dispute your damages. Taking an aggressive approach in negotiations can help ensure that you receive the compensation you need to move forward, which is why hiring a car accident lawyer may be in your best interests.

Find Out If You Need a Car Accident Attorney

You should not have to deal with the stress of a car accident claim alone, especially when insurance companies try to reduce your payout. 

When considering whether you should hire a car accident lawyer at our firm, remember we will review your case and help you understand your legal options every step of the way. Call today to learn more about us and schedule your free consultation with a car accident lawyer in New Orleans from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers.