A car accident can be a painful thing to recover from, both mentally and physically, especially for pedestrians who were hit. The first thing you should do after being hit is to seek immediate medical attention, even if your wounds seem minor. The second thing you should do is to consult a lawyer.
There are many benefits and important reasons why pedestrians who have been hit by vehicles should see a lawyer. Let’s look at three of the biggest reasons.
1- Learn Your Options
The most important reason to see a personal injury attorney is to find out what options you have for recourse. Getting hit was not your fault and you shouldn’t be expected to pay for it.
An experienced, knowledgeable attorney who specializes in personal injuries will have dealt with many similar cases in the past and will know the best course of action for you to take. They’ll explore every possible avenue to recoup your expenses and possibly get you damages, depending on the nature of the accident.
2- Protect Yourself
It may seem unlikely that the driver who hit you would file charges against you, the victim, but it does happen. Contacting a lawyer will give you a leg up in the event that you end up filing suit against the driver if the driver sues you, or if you end up in arbitration with your insurance provider.
Many lawyers, including personal injury attorneys, offer free consultations, which means you can speak to them about your case, better understand your options, and get their honest opinion about your chances of winning a lawsuit against the driver, their employer, or potentially your own insurance company.
3- Get Yourself a Better Deal
In addition to representing you and giving you advice, a personal injury attorney can also handle any negotiations on your behalf. Nobody likes going to court and it’s a strong possibility that whichever party you end up suing will offer you an out-of-court settlement, as it’ll be less expensive for them than paying billable hours to their own counsel.
An experienced attorney will likely have negotiated many such deals previously and will have a good understanding of the typical amount received by others in the past after accidents similar to yours. They’ll make sure you don’t end up accepting a lowball offer that doesn’t even cover all of your expenses.
A personal injury attorney can also help you negotiate with your insurance company if they’re considering denying your claim for any reason. Your lawyer will be able to clarify your paperwork and answer any questions that your insurance company might have. This can not only make sure your claim is approved but also potentially get it approved faster.
Consulting with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases after a vehicle accident can protect you, help you find the best way forward, and potentially increase and expedite payouts to cover your medical bills, lost time from work, and much more. You might be overwhelmed with other things after being hit as a pedestrian, but a lawyer can help you get back on your feet.
