Yes, you can settle a car accident without a lawyer. However, if you choose to go forward without legal assistance, you have to handle every task associated with filing a claim.
How does a Car Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
A car accident attorney can help you settle your claim in the following ways:
- Gathering evidence, such as obtaining the accident report from the police
- Identifying the liable party's negligence
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Obtaining your medical information from the hospital
- Valuing your financial and non-financial losses to estimate your claim's worth
- Filing the paperwork and serving the insurance company with a demand letter
- Scheduling all your appointments and giving you legal advice
Once your car crash attorney has built your case and sent your demand to the insurance company, they will negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement. Many people just accept whatever the insurance company offers because they don't know the true value of their case. Our team will stand up for you and fight back against an insurer trying to lowball you.
If the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, we can take your case to court.
You Can Benefit from a Lawyer's Resources, Knowledge, and Experience
There are many benefits to hiring a lawyer. You can recover without the stress of filing paperwork or dealing with insurance adjusters. A lawyer from our firm has legal resources, such as legal databases and law journals, to handle a settlement case.
We have established relationships with local courts, insurance companies, and auto repair services. We also have experience negotiating with insurers and will use that knowledge to fight for the settlement you deserve.
Why You Might Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case
Ask yourself the following questions before pursuing compensation on your own:
- Is the liable party insured?
- Does the responsible party's insurance policy fully cover my damages?
- How long will it take me to settle this claim?
- How much will this claim cost me?
- Can I handle all the paperwork and legal processes needed in a car accident settlement myself?
- Is it worth my time and energy?
A lawyer can help you navigate all the legal procedures to settle a car accident claim. Hiring a lawyer also lets you focus on your health.
When a Car Accident Lawyer Can Be an Asset to Your Case
It's advisable to seek legal counsel if you or your loved one was in a car accident. The following situations may prompt you to hire a car accident lawyer:
You Sustained Severe Injuries
When you have sustained severe injuries, it can feel impossible to manage a legal case. Our team wants you to focus on your recovery while we build your case.
The Accident Involved Multiple Parties
Dealing with one negligent driver or their insurance company can be straightforward. However, if multiple parties are involved, it can be difficult. Our team has experience managing claims with several liable parties.
The Other Party or Their Insurer Denied the Claim
Sometimes the liable party's insurance company will deny a claim. In other cases, it may accept the claim, but will attempt to assign partial liability to you. A car accident lawyer can help you deal with an uncooperative at-fault driver or insurance company.
You Lost a Loved One in the Accident
Sadly, some car accidents can be fatal and take the lives of loved ones. If that is the case, a lawyer can help you pursue damages for wrongful death. A wrongful death claim is slightly different in several aspects, so legal guidance often comes in handy.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
How long you have to file a car accident claim will depend on your and the other party's insurance company. We recommend that you get in touch with our team as early as you can to ensure you do not overstep a deadline.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, you have four years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. If you file after this time has elapsed, the case will likely be declared invalid, and you can't recover any compensation. Insurance companies often deny the claims or delay the negotiations to pass this time.
How Much does It Cost to Hire an Injury Lawyer?
Our team works on a contingency-fee basis. With a contingency-fee agreement, we accept no retainers and you pay us nothing up front or out of pocket for our time.
You only pay us when you recover compensation for your car accident.
Call Us Today for Legal Help With No Upfront Costs
The Dolman Law Group team offers free consultations for car accident victims and their families. During this consultation, you can learn more about our fee agreement and how our team can help. Call us today for your free case evaluation.