Many New Orleans residents are reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney after an accident due to common misconceptions. Some of these include not wanting to sue the responsible party, fearing that it will cost too much or thinking they can handle the situation themselves.
In many cases, they realize too late that they should have sought the services of a New Orleans personal injury attorney and the statute of limitations to bring a claim has expired.
Understanding the Motivation of Insurance Companies
We often see insurance companies as those who are supposed to help us when we need it. The truth is, insurance companies are a business and money is their biggest concern. Settling claims as quickly and inexpensively as possible is their primary goal.
The accident victim may feel pressured to accept a settlement offer that is not in his or her best interests. Accident victims have the best chance of receiving a fair settlement when they work with a New Orleans personal injury attorney. The attorney uses his or her combination of education, experience and skills to advocate on behalf of the client.
Investigating the Accident
Most accident victims don’t have the time or resources to thoroughly investigate their own accident claims. It is up to the person filing a lawsuit to prove their claim, and without the proper investigation and legal knowledge, it is very unlikely to be a successful venture.
A New Orleans personal injury attorney has the tools necessary to successfully investigate your claim, including speaking with witnesses, getting the insights of reconstruction experts, and gather evidence. Exhaustive investigation is the best recourse to convince a judge and jury to award you the compensation you deserve.
Negotiating A Settlement
In a best-case scenario, the person who caused the accident accepts responsibility and offers to pay a settlement. The other party may also work with a lawyer who encourages him or her to do this.
Even in this case, having an attorney is a good idea. Negotiating a settlement, particularly with another party’s legal representative, can get complicated. A New Orleans personal injury attorney can navigate the process for you and make sure you get a fair and reasonable settlement.
Contingency Fee
If you’re avoiding consulting an attorney because you don’t have the money to pay up-front, it would be in your best interest to look for attorneys who work on a contingency basis, which most accident lawyers do. This means that the attorney doesn’t get paid until you get compensation from your claim.
Most lawyers offer free consultation sessions to determine whether the client has a potential case. If so, the attorney provides all legal services at no cost until the client receives his or her settlement. Since the legal fees are deducted from the settlement, there is no out-of-pocket cost to the client. He or she typically owes nothing if the lawsuit is unsuccessful.
If you need assistance from New Orleans injury lawyers, The Lambert Firm can help. Contact one of their experienced accident lawyers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for a free consultation today.
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