After someone has been seriously injured in a car collision and is on the road to recovery they may consider hiring a vehicle accident injury attorney in Des Moines, IA. This person may wonder whether that’s necessary and if doing so can wait. When is hiring a lawyer important in these situations?
A Low Settlement Offer
The main reason people first consult a vehicle accident injury attorney in Des Moines, IA, is if they have received a settlement offer from an insurer that seems too low. Insurance companies commonly start with a relatively low amount that may seem unreasonable to the injured person. They may also be encouraging the person to accept a settlement before they have returned to work, and thus do not know how much the total of lost wages will be.
Compensation for Intangible Aspects
Another reason is when the person wonders whether they deserve more compensation than the standard paid for medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. A lawyer may believe this individual deserves compensation for intangible aspects like physical pain and suffering and emotional trauma. Insurance companies are unlikely to pay any amount to compensate for these very real problems unless a lawyer becomes involved.
The Insurer Disputes Its Policyholder’s Liability
The insurance company may dispute the case, pointing to evidence that the injured person was largely at fault for the accident. This is a situation in which an attorney is especially valuable for investigating and evaluating this evidence and making the case in favor of the client. If the insurer posits that the injured person was largely to blame because they were driving 10 miles per hour faster than the posted speed limit, the lawyer will use police records to confirm that the other driver is liable.
Accident attorneys with an organization like Business Name settle cases out of court nearly all the time. This keeps expenses low for the client and moves things along more rapidly so the person can receive a much-needed check.
