An Esurance report noted that 77 percent of drivers had been involved in an accident at least once. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 2020 recorded “35,766 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States.” Statistics like these tell you how common car accidents happen.

As a victim of any car accident, you may be disoriented and indecisive of the next step to take after an accident. The recommended reaction is to seek medical attention and evaluate injuries if necessary. After this happens, the next step you can take is to look for a personal injury lawyer.

You may wonder why a personal injury lawyer is important after an accident. This article will look at how hiring a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial to you as an accident victim.

Convincing benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer

Below are some ways hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you:

■ You get relevant advice

Contacting a personal injury lawyer immediately provides you with legal information that you, as an average person, may not know. An attorney can also advise you on appropriate responses to inquiries from other parties involved in the case. A personal injury lawyer can guide you through your case and prevent you from making mistakes you might have made on your own.

■ They are aware of the real value of your claim

A skilled personal injury lawyer has experience dealing with similar accident cases. As such, they can advise you on negotiating with insurance companies and help you evaluate what you should receive in compensation dependent on the nature of your injury/damages. For example, a personal injury lawyer understands that certain injuries do not show signs of trauma immediately after an accident. They will most likely advise you to get a full medical evaluation. Injuries like that can play a significant part when you file for compensation.

■ They understand how the legal system works

To an average person, the legal process can be stressful and bewildering. Dealing with paperwork and insurance companies on your own can be daunting, especially after an accident. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, you will not have to worry about navigating these processes and the risk of mistakes that could have existed.

■ You will be aware of insurance companies

If you work alone on your case, you may not understand this. Insurance companies will often try their best to make you settle for lower compensation so they can make a profit. As a result, you will likely fall for the tricks of insurance companies and end up without the compensation you deserve.

“When you have a personal injury lawyer by your side, you may have a higher chance of winning and settling,” says Jonathan S. Harris of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris Accident & Injury Attorneys.

■ You will be able to avoid intimidation from other parties

Asides from insurance companies trying to reduce your compensation, you may also face other intimidation strategies when you are not working with a lawyer. These strategies will often be used to cheat you. Some of these situations include:

• Pressure and threats from an employer to not report a workplace accident

• Low-ball settlements or delaying the claim process by an insurance provider

Conclusion

Retaining the services of a personal injury lawyer after an accident is an option you should consider. The protection and knowledge of the legal framework it offers will strengthen your compensation case.