If you’ve been in a car accident, you probably feel lost and confused. Who’s going to pay your bills? What should you do if you can’t work anymore, and who should you turn to for help?
The good news is that you’re not alone when you hire an Indiana car accident attorney. You’ll have a trustworthy ally to support and guide you through the settlement process.
Below, you’ll learn why hiring an attorney for a personal injury lawsuit is one of the smartest things you can do.
They Can Explain the Damages Available to You
After the shock of an accident wears off, reality hits you: How will you afford this? Medical bills can total thousands or even millions of dollars, and it’s nearly impossible to pay them off if you’re too hurt to work anymore.
This is where an attorney may be helpful. They can explain the damages you’ll be able to seek, such as:
- Economic damages (lost wages, medical bills)
- Noneconomic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish)
- Punitive damages (if the driver intentionally injured you)
- Damage caps
They’ll Handle Negotiations for You
When trying to recover from an accident, dealing with insurance companies probably isn’t very high on your to-do list. Talking to insurance adjusters can be incredibly stressful, and they’re definitely not on your side. Plus, they could use anything you tell them against you to reduce the settlement.
An Indiana car accident attorney can talk to insurance companies, so you don’t have to. That gives you time to focus on more important things, like feeling better.
They Understand Legalese
Accident cases involve an overwhelming amount of paperwork, much of which is packed with confusing legal jargon. If you’re not trained in law, figuring out what it all means can be as impossible as deciphering an alien language.
Your lawyer can break down complex legalese so it’s easy for you to understand.
They Can Think Tactically
You might think that the court will automatically award you damages if the other driver obviously hit you. Not so. The defendant and their lawyer will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying you however they can. They might even try to pin the crash on you.
That’s a problem in Indiana, which follows modified comparative negligence rules. If the other side can convince the court that you were more than 51% at fault for the crash, it won’t award you a dime.
Your lawyer will come prepared to counter any strategy the defense cooks up. They’ll work hard to gather evidence and prove liability in the accident, which can increase the odds of an award for you.
They’ll Represent You If Your Case Goes to Trial
Many car accident cases reach a settlement without ever going to trial. However, heading to court may be your only recourse if the insurance company offers you an insultingly low car accident settlement.
It’s unwise to represent yourself in a trial, especially if the other driver has their own lawyer and you don’t. An experienced attorney can back you up in court so you don’t say anything that could tank your chances of winning the case.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Indiana
Now that you’ve learned the perks of hiring an Indiana car accident attorney, we welcome you to reach out to us for a free consultation. Our team at Stewart & Stewart Attorneys has years of experience representing clients in Indiana. Plus, you pay nothing unless we win your case for you.
Call (800) 333-3529 for your free consultation today.