January 17, 2014

Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles after an Accident?

One common question people often have after being involved in an accident caused by another party and receiving personal injuries is whether they really need to retain the services of a local Los Angeles attorney. You might think it easy to negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurance, on your own, and avoid paying a lawyer to perform this service on your behalf. However, what you may not be aware of is insurance companies are in business to make money, not give it away. 

If you attempt to reach a settlement on your own, the first thing the insurance company will do is make you an offer for much lower, because you do not know the laws or your full legal rights. Additionally, if you accept their offer, they typically have you sign away any future legal claims or rights. What this means is, if it is determined you require surgery in the future as a result of the injuries sustained from the accident, you are fully responsible for all related expenses.

By using a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, not only do you protect your legal rights, but you also have someone experienced in this area of the law to help you obtain the maximum amount of monetary damages as possible. For example, the insurance company may only offer a settlement of $25,000 for your case, if you attempt to resolve the matter on your own. Had you initially consulted with a lawyer after the accident and had them file your claim, you might discover your case is really worth $250,000.