One of the most difficult parts of a car accident or other personal injury claim is proving that the other party caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. But there are accidents where the at-fault party readily admits their liability for the incident, leaving their insurance company with no way to deny the victim’s claim for damages.
If you have been injured and the other party agrees they caused the accident, you may think you really don’t need a Virginia personal injury attorney representing you and can just deal with the insurance company on your own. While this process may seem straightforward, there are risks involved in navigating the legal process alone. The following are some of the issues that you may face with a skilled lawyer advocating for you.
Damages
Insurance companies are in business to make profits. Every claim they are required to pay out cuts into those profits. One of the most common tactics they use is disputing the nature and extent of the accident victim’s injuries in order to minimize the amount they have to pay. It is also not uncommon for the company to claim the accident victim isn’t even injured, their injuries were pre-existing, or their injuries occurred somewhere else. Having an attorney representing you lets the insurance company know right away that your rights and interests are being protected.
Inadequate Compensation
Without an attorney representing you, you may not fully understand the financial value of your claim. The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement that seems reasonable, but it may not account for any potential future damages. It may not even cover all of your current expenses. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess the true worth of your case, considering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Legal Expertise and Knowledge
Virginia personal injury law is complex, and without knowledge of legal rules and procedures, you may miss important opportunities to strengthen your claim. A Virginia personal injury lawyer understands the intricacies of the legal system and can navigate it effectively on your behalf. Your attorney will address all documentation, negotiate with the insurance company, and protect your rights and interests throughout the entire process.
Gathering Evidence
Building a strong case requires gathering and preserving evidence. A personal injury attorney has the resources and expertise to conduct a thorough investigation, obtain witness statements, collect medical records, analyze accident reports, and gather other crucial evidence.
Insurance Tactics
Insurance companies are notorious for manipulating conversations with accident victims in order to obtain some kind of “proof” that will minimize their liability and reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay the victim. In fact, insurance adjusters are trained to do just that. Having an attorney means you don’t have to deal with the insurance company directly – your attorney will do all of that for you.
Liability Disputes
Even if the at-fault party admits initially admits it was their negligence that caused the accident, they or their insurance company may later dispute liability or try to shift blame. Without an attorney representing you right from the beginning of the claim process, it may be difficult to overcome this turn of events. If this does happen, your attorney can gather evidence, consult with experts, and build a compelling case to establish the other party’s liability, protecting you from unjust blame.
Contact a Virginia Accident Attorney
While the at-fault party admitting guilt may seem like a straightforward situation, there are still risks involved in not hiring a Virginia Beach personal injury attorney. Statistics show that accident victims have a greater success rate in obtaining the full financial compensation they deserve when they have an attorney representing them compared to claims where the victims don’t have legal representation.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we have built a solid reputation of aggressively advocating for clients, getting them the damages they are entitled to, like the $30,000 jury award our firm secured for a client who suffered whiplash in a chain-reaction crash on Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach, VA.
If you have been injured, contact our firm today to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.