If you're injured in a car accident due to no fault of your own, you may assume that you can work out your claim with the other driver's insurance company without any legal representation. Technically you can, but your chances of receiving the settlement you deserve is very low. Many people do not hire a personal injury lawyer after a car accident because they think they can't afford to. However, most car accident lawyers work on contingency, so honestly you can't afford not to hire one! When you're hurt in a car crash, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer for the following reasons:

A Lawyer Will Know How Much Your Claim Is Worth

When it comes to a settlement for injuries sustained in a car accident, you are most likely entitled to more than just the amount needed to fix your vehicle and pay for your medical bills. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also be able to sue for pain and suffering, lost wages, and emotional distress. A qualified personal injury lawyer will understand the details of your case, know the laws in your state regarding personal injury settlements, and fight for a settlement that you deserve.

Insurance Companies Are Not In The Business Of Paying Out Money

An insurance company is a business and, like any other business, their goal is to make money, not lose money. When you represent yourself in a car accident injury claim, it is easy to fall for the notion that the insurance company wants to settle your case fairly. In actuality, the insurance company's main goal is to pay out as little as possible on each claim.

Any written statement or statement made over the phone can be twisted and used against you when it comes to agreeing on a settlement. When a person does not have a lawyer, an insurance company will often offer a low-ball settlement, and state that it is their final offer. Many accident victims take these low settlements because they do not want the case to go to court. These tactics by insurance companies have been going on for years, but a personal injury lawyer can prevent you from getting ripped-off and paid only a fraction of what you deserve.

Legal Proceedings Are Complicated

If you and the other driver's insurance company can't come to an agreement on a settlement, the issue may have to go to court. If you don't work in the legal field, you will probably find going through the court system to be complicated and confusing. The insurance company has their own team of lawyers, so you will be going against them in court and the sad fact is that you are not likely to win your case on your own. When you hire a lawyer to represent you, they will take care of everything and work hard to secure you an agreeable settlement.

An Attorney Knows How To Prove Your Case

The police may have determined that the other driver was at fault in your accident, but that is not always enough to prove your case. A lawyer has the experience and skills to gather police reports, medical records, photographs, and other pieces of evidences that clearly show why you are entitled to a certain monetary reward. Your lawyer will take care of all of these details with the other driver's insurance company so you don't have to worry about them.

For more information, visit a website like http://www.davidharrislaw.com.