In 2015, the Texas Department of transportation reported that one person was killed in a car crash every two hours and 26 minutes. A person was injured in a car crash every two minutes and seven seconds according to the Texas Department of transportation.

These statistics are sobering reminders of just how dangerous operating a motor vehicle can be. But the question becomes: if you are in a car accident do you really need to hire an attorney? The short answer is yes.

Here’s why: If you have been seriously injured in an automobile accident, you are likely to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. This means you will arrive at the emergency room. At the emergency room you will be looked at by at least one emergency physician, and cared for by several nurses and various medical technicians. If your injuries warrant it, you may undergo x-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. If your injuries are severe enough, you may wind up in surgery and spending time in the hospital.

Even with insurance, medical expenses are big money. The out-of-pocket expenses alone can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer after an accident increases your chances of recovering the out-of-pocket expenses you will incur for your medical treatment. As a result of your injuries, you will inevitably experience physical pain and mental suffering. There is simply no way around it. Bumps and bruises are painful, broken bones are even more painful, internal injuries and surgical scars can cause pain and suffering that last for weeks or months. I know because I have personally been in that situation following a car accident. And then there is the physical scarring you’re left with after surgery. Understand that you are entitled to compensation for all of these things. Texas law allows you to be fairly compensated for these injuries. If you’ve been severely injured in an accident, should you speak to an experienced personally injury attorney? Most definitely yes. The law entitles you to compensation and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the most compensation.

As I discussed in a previous blog, another reason to speak to an attorney after an accident is to protect you against the insurance companies. Make no mistake about it, insurance companies are not your friends. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible, as quickly as possible. A tactic I have seen time and time again from insurance companies is to offer low settlement amounts at the start, with threats of protracted litigation if the lowball settlement is not accepted. The hope is to put the injured party in a position to be forced to accept the lowball funds funds immediately, in order to pay off mounting medical bills and help defray lost time from work.

So what is the advantage of having a lawyer? First and foremost, it is having someone that understands the economic value of your case. In other words, having an attorney who has dealt with your kind of case before and knows what kind of money insurance companies will actually pay you, versus the lowball amount first offered..

Secondly, an experienced personal injury attorney will interview witnesses, collect evidence, hire reconstruction experts when needed and ensure that the facts and circumstances surrounding your car accident are accurately relayed. This is important because insurance companies and their lawyers will do everything they can to blame you for all, or at least some of the accident. And the more the insurance company can find a way to blame you for your own injuries, the less they have to pay you.

Third, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Dealing with insurance adjusters after you’ve been in an accident can be a daunting task. They are experienced in negotiating and will seek to undermine your case at any point. Your attorney will act as a buffer between you and the insurance adjuster ensuring that your claim, your story, and your injuries are accurately relayed to the adjuster and the insurance company properly assesses your claim.

Lastly, if it is simply not possible to reach an amicable settlement, your lawyer will prepare the necessary documents to take your case to court. An experienced personal injury lawyer will navigate you through the complex legal process in order to bring your case to a favorable resolution, getting you all the money you’re entitled to.

If you have been injured in a car accident, call McAllen Car Accident Attorney John Ball today for a free consultation at 956-501-6565