This is a question everyone who’s been in an accident asks themselves. After all, it can be expensive to hire a lawyer, and you’ve probably lost time at work due to your injury. There are many uncertainties to deal with when negotiating the aftermath of a personal injury, and figuring out whether to hire an accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make going forward. The following information will help you determine whether getting a New York accident attorney is right for you.
Property Damage
In addition to potentially life-altering injuries, you have likely had your vehicle severely damaged in the accident. At this time, the insurance company will either pay the repair cost or decide the car is a total loss. If the car is totaled, you will receive replacement funds to get a new one, depending on your policy. Either your insurance company or the other driver’s will pay for the damage. This is decided based on which person is at fault for the accident. If you caused the accident, you will seek reimbursement from your own insurance company; if the other person is at fault, their insurance will pay for the damage to your vehicle. If you live in a no-fault state (such as New York) or were in a hit-and-run accident, you may need to seek compensation from your own insurance company in any case.
Whether you are making a claim to the other party’s insurance or your own, if you find the initial offer insufficient to cover the cost of repairs, etc., it might be time to consider hiring an accident attorney.
Personal Injury
After seeking medical care and carefully documenting all treatments and medical bills, you will seek compensation depending on your coverage. If the other driver was at fault, you will be paid through their liability coverage. You can also seek payment from your health insurance or medical payments coverage in your own policy. If you find that these combined payments and the insurance company’s offer of payment on your claim are not enough to cover the cost of medical payments, repairs, and lost wages, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to improve your claim outcome.
Why to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Lawyers who specialize in personal injury and accidents are used to dealing with insurance companies and know how much is a reasonable settlement amount. They are also experienced when it comes to getting compensation for general damages that can be difficult to quantify, such as mental anguish and pain and suffering. Insurance companies will avoid paying more than they have to, so in some cases it helps to have an experienced negotiator on your side before accepting the insurance company’s offer. A personal injury lawyer can also help you pursue a lawsuit if necessary, although most cases result in settlement.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and are looking for the greatest possible amount of compensation, contact the law offices of Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein today for a free consultation at (212) 221-5999. An experienced New York accident attorney will help you get the payment you deserve.