Do I Need An Attorney?

For accident victims, the stress and trauma of a car accident — no matter the severity — can sometimes be overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to turn or who to trust. Add to that uncertainty mounting medical bills, physical pain and suffering, and financial stress, and it's easy to see why insurance companies try their hardest to get you to settle quickly. For the insurer, you are just another number affecting their bottom line, and the sooner you accept a settlement, the sooner they can go back to making profits.

With that in mind, determining if you need the legal advice of an attorney is not always straightforward. In this article, we will examine the likely scenarios you may find yourself in after an accident and how you can make an informed decision to get your life back on track.

Before you begin to handle your own case, it is important to understand that doing so may make it more complicated later if you decide to hire an attorney. If you are unsure of how to handle a claim or what to do, you should consider contacting an attorney. At The Garza Law Firm, we do not charge a fee for a case evaluation, and most cases can be evaluated over the phone. This alone means you will speak to a qualified and experienced professional who will help you determine if you should seek attorney representation.

Managing Your Own Case

There are some situations where managing your own claim may be reasonable. If you were involved in a minor fender-bender with no injuries, the damage is limited to your vehicle, and the at-fault party's insurance is cooperating, you may be able to handle it on your own. Similarly, if the insurance company has already accepted liability and the settlement offer fully covers your vehicle repairs with no medical bills involved, an attorney may not be necessary.

However, even in minor accidents, injuries can develop days or weeks later. After an accident your adrenaline is high and your fight-or-flight instinct takes over. This can mask actual pain at the moment of the accident and lead you to believe you are fine. Yet below the surface, your body has experienced a significant shock. We often find our clients come to us after a few weeks describing debilitating muscle pains, inability to sleep, or overall aches and tension. This can require months of rehabilitation, racking up thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

When You Should Hire An Attorney

Any good lawyer will advise you to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries before accepting a settlement, as only then can you determine what is a proper offer. Here are key situations where hiring an attorney is strongly recommended:

• You sustained injuries that required medical treatment
• The insurance company is disputing fault or offering a low settlement
• Your injuries have caused you to miss work or reduced your earning capacity
• You are experiencing pain and suffering or emotional distress
• The accident involved a commercial vehicle, government entity, or multiple parties
• The insurance company is pressuring you to give a recorded statement

Often, new clients are unaware of the full range of damages they are entitled to. Accidents are stressful, emotional, and taxing on not only the body but the mind as well. Pain and suffering is part of what we are here to make sure you are compensated for. Negotiating these types of damages is not easy to do alone, and we can advocate on your behalf to make sure you receive full compensation.

Can I Afford An Attorney?

This question is one of the primary reasons most people are reluctant to hire an attorney. The fear of expensive legal fees, especially when you have already experienced a financial setback, can be daunting. However, The Garza Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only collect a fee if we win your case.

What this means is that legal fees should never be a factor in determining whether to hire us. You have nothing to lose when you contact us. Our case evaluations are free.

A Larger Settlement

Studies have consistently shown that accident victims who hire an attorney receive significantly higher settlements than those who negotiate on their own — even after attorney fees are deducted. Insurance companies know that unrepresented claimants are less likely to understand the full value of their case or push back against lowball offers.

Any time you are injured and dealing with an insurance company or another party directly, you have the right to consult an attorney and have one represent you. Our firm has over 50 years of experience defending the injured from insurance companies who want a quick and unfair settlement. We know your rights and what you deserve, and we communicate with you every step of the way.