Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
When people are debating whether or not they should retain legal counsel for assistance in filing a claim following a car crash, the individuals are usually having one or more internal debates. In many cases, people have some initial doubts about whether an attorney would handle their case.
If the accident does seem like the kind of case that a lawyer would handle, then the next concern is usually paying that attorney. Some people begin convincing themselves that they’ll be able to keep more of their money by handling cases themselves.
Severe Injuries in Car Accidents
The types of cases for which legal representation can be most important are car crashes that result in serious or fatal injuries. When a person suffers catastrophic injuries, it can result in a lifetime of additional costs and complications. Similarly, the sudden death of a loved one dramatically alters the life courses of an entire family.
Insurance companies for negligent drivers are businesses that are primarily concerned about their bottom lines. When attempting to settle these cases, insurers are seeking to resolve the matters for as little as possible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in an October 6, 2017 press release that many reckless behaviors increased in car accidents in 2016.
In an effort to minimize the ultimate payout, an insurance company may use a victim’s medical history to assert that certain claims were preexisting conditions. In many cases, insurers will try to pin as much fault as possible on the victims.
The Dangers of Handling a Car Accident Case Yourself
All too often, car accident victims believe that they will ultimately recover more money if they do not retain legal counsel. Many insurers make sure to bolster this line of thinking in their initial conversations with the victims.
Such conversations are precisely why you should avoid speaking to any insurance company representative following a car accident. Even though these agents often sound sincere in their concern for your well-being and their willingness to help, their primary goal is to convince you that you do not need to “bring lawyers into this” and hopefully get you to make some damaging recorded statements that can be used against you later on.
Insurance companies know that the average person is not experienced in negotiating personal injury claims, and they use that inexperience to ultimately push some individuals into accepting settlements that are far often much less than what the victims were truly entitled to. Even when a proposed settlement sounds like a very large amount, it is important to remember that such settlements rarely account for the significant future costs that victims will have to bear later on.
The good news is that the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers represents all clients on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you pay us nothing unless we get you a monetary award. We also offer a free consultation to have our attorneys review your case so you can understand all of your legal options. Call (617) 777-7777 today.
DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this post is not intended to be used as legal or medical advice, nor disrespect the victims or families in any way. We are providing this post for general information on everyday tragedies and presented in a manner to protect and honor the victims and their families. Minor differences can change the outcome of cases, based on jurisdictional laws. The information provided in this post should not be relied upon as legal or medical advice. We suggest seeking assistance from legal or medical professionals for your personal circumstance, when necessary.