If you’re injured in an accident caused by someone else, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Accident victims get compensation by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If they’re unable to get the compensation they deserve by filing a claim, they’ll file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
While most people hire a lawyer when a lawsuit is necessary, many people are unsure of whether they need a lawyer to file an insurance claim. In most cases, it’s beneficial to have a personal injury lawyer. That said, there are circumstances when accident victims can file a claim on their own.
To help you decide which strategy is right for you, here’s a look at when you should and should not submit a personal injury claim without a lawyer. To discuss your case and whether you need legal representation, consult a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer.
When Can I Submit a Personal Injury Claim to an Insurance Company Without a Lawyer?
Insurance companies have a team of experts working for them. This includes insurance adjusters, investigators, and lawyers. Insurance companies deal with personal injury cases all of the time and work hard to minimize the amount they have to pay to accident victims. Given the resources and expertise that insurance companies have, accident victims also need representation.
Because of this, there are only limited circumstances when accident victims should file a personal injury claim without legal representation.
After an accident, you may not need to hire a personal injury lawyer if there are no significant injuries or losses or if you have experience dealing with insurance laws or personal injury laws.
In addition, you should only file the claim on your own if you have time to deal with all administrative tasks and logistics involved in filing the claim.
Filing a personal injury claim can be a complicated process. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with and work hard to minimize claims. A Texas personal injury lawyer ensures that accident victims have representation too and that their claim is handled fairly by the insurance company.
When Is a Personal Injury Lawyer Necessary for Filing an Insurance Claim?
You should not file a claim without a personal injury lawyer if:
- The accident involved serious or catastrophic injuries with long-term impacts;
- The at-fault party attempts to blame you for the accident;
- There are multiple parties involved;
- The insurance company refuses to investigate the case or engages in bad-faith insurance practices;
- A government entity is involved;
- The accident involves a particularly complex area of law – for example, an aviation accident, oil accident, or train accident.
While there are some times that a personal injury lawyer isn’t necessary for filing an insurance claim, there are also some circumstances when you should always have a personal injury lawyer.
Should I Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer after an accident. Even if you don’t think you need to hire an attorney, you can benefit from a consultation.
Almost all personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation.
In this meeting, the lawyer will:
- Listen to you talk about your accident and losses;
- Discuss your rights and any applicable laws;
- Discuss the damages you’re entitled to;
- Give you a personalized strategy for getting the compensation you deserve.
Because the initial consultation is free, there’s nothing to lose by scheduling one. Plus, even if you don’t decide to hire a lawyer, you’ll learn more about your case and your rights.
It’s always a good idea to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer. This ensures you’re not overlooking important laws or available damages.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With an Insurance Claim?
A Texas personal injury lawyer knows applicable laws and knows how to deal with insurance companies. Your lawyer can explain your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
To make your case as strong as possible, your lawyer will:
- Investigate your accident to determine who was at fault;
- Gather evidence to prove who was responsible for the accident;
- Calculate your damages;
- Collect evidence to support your claim for damages;
- Submit a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company;
- Negotiate with the insurance company;
- If necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party;
- Handle all administrative tasks and all correspondence with the insurance company;
- Comply with all deadlines, including the Texas statute of limitations
Personal injury cases are complex and time-consuming. An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer will handle all of the details so that you can focus on getting your life back to normal after an accident.
Plus, an accident attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies and will ensure your rights are represented. Contact a Fort Worth accident lawyer to learn more.
What Type of Damages Are Available After a Fort Worth Accident?
In Texas, the at-fault party is responsible for all injuries caused by an accident. The responsible party must pay damages to the accident victim to make them “whole” after an accident.
Damages available include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Punitive damages are only available in rare circumstances.
Economic damages reimburse victims for tangible losses after an accident that can be calculated and documented. Non-economic damages compensate victims for intangible losses that they suffer because of an accident.
Damages that Texas accident victims commonly recover are:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy expenses
- Home care expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
Calculating damages after an accident can be a complex process. Personal injury lawyers understand the damages available to victims. They help the injured party calculate their losses and gather evidence to support their claim.
Contact a Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re not sure whether you need a personal injury lawyer, schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident. The team at Anderson Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and give you advice about your best options for recovery.
Schedule a free consultation online or visit our Fort Worth personal injury office to get started. Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (817) 294-1900 to discuss how we can help you pursue compensation for the injuries you suffered.