Drivers in Idaho often don’t act responsibly behind the wheel. If you have suffered serious injuries or losses in an accident that wasn’t entirely your fault, you could be eligible to seek compensation from the other driver. In such circumstances, you may have one big question to answer – Should you hire an Idaho car accident attorney? Here are three signs that you definitely need one.
- You have sustained serious injuries. Car accidents often cause unexpected stress and trauma. If your injuries are severe, you may have to pay huge for treatments and medical care. Besides the immediate expenses, long-term care can drain your financial resources. If your injuries are likely to impact your life ahead of debilitating in any manner, your settlement would be a lot more than just the medical bills. Lost income, future income losses, and other damages would be included in the claim. Talk to a lawyer when you need help with the true worth of your claim.
- You are at fault. Contributory negligence laws are complicated. In Idaho, you cannot ask for a settlement if you are more than 50% at fault (or at more fault than the other driver). If you are at a minor fault, the fault percentage will be used to reduce the settlement awarded to you. In such circumstances, the insurance company will try to deny your claim or shift the blame. If you believe that you could have caused the accident, contact a personal injury lawyer without delay.
- You have no experience negotiating claims. Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company can be hard. Claims adjusters often try bad faith insurance tactics, and they will try to reduce what is paid for the claim. If you have no experience with insurance companies or don’t wish to deal with them directly, get an accident lawyer on your side. It is wise to let the lawyer do the talking because the attorney can file a lawsuit in court when needed.
Finally, having an attorney is about having emotional support after an accident. Do not give a statement to the insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney. They can help investigate the case and will gather evidence to ensure that your case is worth pursuing. Your lawyer will talk to doctors, experts, and witnesses to bolster your case further. Since lawyers in Idaho take accident cases on a contingency fee, you don’t have to pay upfront, which is a big advantage.