Why Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident in Austin?

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident?

I’m often asked by prospective clients why they need a lawyer to represent them in their car accident case. The answer is very simple: the at-fault party’s insurance company may try to take advantage of you any way they can. The best way to fight to recover what you are legally entitled is to hire an experienced car accident attorney.

The first thing I tell my clients that have been in an auto accident is that the most important thing they can do is make sure they get their body back to the condition it was in prior to the accident. This process starts with proper diagnosis. Many people ignore the pains and strains they feel post accident and just hope they will eventually go away. For example, I have an aunt that was in a car accident about two weeks ago. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and released later that day. The hospital did not take x-rays or ct scans. She began to experience the pains and strains that are associated with a whiplash injury. I told her that she needed to have x-rays and/or MRI of her spinal region. She didn’t really want to go to the doctor but finally she agreed. The MRI revealed a compression fracture to her T-4 region. This is exactly why it is imperative to be properly evaluated after being in a high impact collision.

With most of my clients, I arrange for them to be evaluated by a physician and if necessary a board certified orthopedic surgeon to properly diagnose any injuries they may have sustained in their accident. The last thing anyone should do is attempt to settle their case without being properly diagnosed and treated. Once a client has completed their treatment and they get a release from the treating physician, I begin negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Most insurance companies have come to learn my firm takes a very hard line approach to negotiations. Many firms are known as high volume shops that settle cases.Insurance adjusters know which firms are high volume shops and they take advantage of these firms because they know they will not file a lawsuit to get the true value of their case. If the adjusters will submit “low ball” offers to high volume firms, you can just imagine the tactics they use against those who have no representation at all. That is why it is absolutely necessary to hire a personal injury attorney that is not afraid to go to the courthouse if necessary to help you achieve the maximum value of your case.