Crash victims are within their rights to file an insurance claim on their own and not seek help from a lawyer. In fact, if your vehicle suffered cosmetic damage and you have an injury that will get better in a few days or a week, you may be able to recover full compensation on your own.
However, you should not assume your claim will be easy or that your injuries are no big deal. Your claim could be more complex than you realize and if it is, the insurance company is going to look for any way to deny your claim or pay you far less than you deserve.
If this is the case, taking on the insurance company alone is a bad idea. They handle accident claims every day and they know how to manipulate and take advantage of victims who need compensation. Another thing to keep in mind is that hiring a lawyer shows the insurance company you are committed to pursuing full compensation.
Below, the experienced Windsor-based car accident lawyers at Greg Monforton and Partners discuss the many risks of going it alone after getting injured in a car crash. At our firm, there are no upfront fees for our services. We also have a proven track record of recovering full compensation for damages.
Free consultation. Call to talk about your crash: (866) 320-4770.
Recovering Less Compensation Than You Need
The biggest risk of handling your claim alone is that your claim will either be denied, or you will not recover all the compensation you need for your damages. Research has shown that many who hire lawyers to help them obtain car accident compensation end up recovering more compensation than those who do not.
If you hire a lawyer, particularly one who has a history of taking cases to court, the insurance company will view your claim much differently than one in which a lawyer is not involved. If you are alone, the insurance company knows there is no possibility of a lawsuit. The insurance company is much less likely to make a second offer of compensation if you are not represented by a lawyer.
Insurance companies are counting on you to accept what they are offering because you are desperate for compensation. They may avoid your calls and emails hoping that if they wait long enough you will simply give up.
Not Getting the Medical Treatment You Need
If you are unable to recover full compensation you may be unable to get all the medical treatment you need to make the best possible recovery from your injury. If you have a long-term or permanent injury your compensation may run out too quickly. That means you may need to pay for medical treatment out of your own pocket. Unfortunately, many people cannot afford to pay out of pocket for their treatment.
Even if medical treatment will not heal your injury, it could dramatically improve your quality of life.
Victims Could Make Big Mistakes
Victims often do not realize all the mistakes they could make that could hurt their chances of recovering full compensation. You might say far too much to the insurance company, giving them information that they can use to attack your credibility or even blame the crash on you. You may be surprised about how simply offhand comments are used by insurers to try to deny or devalue claims for compensation.
Many people post on social media on a regular basis. They talk about anything and everything that is going on in their lives. If you talk about your case or your injuries on social media, you risk saying something that could be used to attack your credibility. For example, you may say something that seems to downplay the seriousness of your injuries. Even making statements about how well your recovery is going could hurt your claim.
Dealing With the Insurance Company Alone is Not a Fair Fight
Insurance companies are well-prepared for accident claims. They deal with these claims regularly and have detailed knowledge about how to protect their interests. It is their job to find reasons to deny or devalue claims. While you are only dealing with the legal process for part of your day, they are dealing with the legal process all day long.
If you hire a lawyer to help you, he or she can dedicate the time and resources necessary to investigate your accident and build a strong case. He or she can handle settlement negotiations and prepare a case for trial if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful.
There are Many Things Victims Do Not Know
Do you know how to respond if the insurance company denies your claim? What if they claim you are at fault? Do you know how to establish negligence occurred?
These are just a few examples of questions you need to know the answers to when you are seeking compensation for damages from a car crash. If you hire an experienced lawyer, you do not need to be concerned about finding answers to these and other questions. You can leave these issues to your lawyer.
Victims also do not know how to protect the value of their claims. They often do not realize how their statements and actions could hurt their claims. If you hire a lawyer, he or she can advise you on how to protect your claim.
Accident Claims Can Cause Significant Stress
Recovering from an injury is stressful enough without the stress of the legal process. You do not need to be concerned about whether you are forgetting some important detail about your claim.
That is why you should seriously consider hiring an experienced lawyer to manage the legal process on your behalf. The experienced lawyers at Greg Monforton and Partners can guide you through the process, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.
Contact Greg Monforton and Partners to Discuss Your Crash
Were you injured in a crash caused by another’s negligence?
We are ready to help you seek compensation for the full cost of your damages. This includes medical bills, lost wages and more.
Our experienced lawyers have been advocating for the injured in Ontario for decades. We have secured hundreds of millions in compensation for the injured.
Give us a call to learn about our services: (866) 320-4770.