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July 18th, 2023 The aftermath of an automobile accident can be emotionally and financially draining—especially if you have no legal representation or experience in negotiating settlements. So the real question is: Do you need a lawyer to negotiate a car accident settlement?
All too often, individuals accept far less than they deserve due to their lack of knowledge regarding the process. However, by working with an experienced car accident attorney, you can make informed decisions about your case.
A car accident settlement is an agreement between two parties involved in a vehicular collision who have decided to settle their claims out of court rather than going through trial and enforcing a judgement.
It usually involves both sides agreeing on how much money will be paid to compensate for any losses or damages suffered by either party due to the incident. The amount can either be agreed upon between the parties or determined by an insurance company if one side has coverage.
The benefit of settling out of court is that it saves time and money and reduces risk to both sides. Additionally, settlements provide more privacy about the details related to the case compared to what could happen if it went before a judge.
An experienced personal injury attorney will know how much and what type of compensation you should seek and which arguments are most effective when dealing with insurers. They also understand what it takes to build strong cases against negligent drivers and can guide victims through complex procedures, such as mediation or litigation, if necessary.
Another advantage of working with a lawyer is they may be able to secure larger settlements than you would get if you were to go it alone. When you have hired an attorney, the insurance companies know that you have experienced help to file a lawsuit on your behalf if they do not make fair settlement offers.
In addition, lawyers provide valuable services like:
Helpful evidence in car accident settlements includes:
These pieces of evidence are vital when seeking compensation after being involved in a car crash. And if you work with a personal injury attorney, they can help you gather this evidence to build a solid claim.
If you’re negotiating a car accident settlement, hiring a lawyer is an essential step in protecting your rights and helping you to receive the most favorable outcome.
An experienced lawyer can help to maximize the value of your settlement and make sure your interests are represented. Don’t leave your financial future up to chance—hire a lawyer from Hess Injury Law to get the recovery you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.