Advantages To Hiring A New Orleans Accident Attorney

By Jacqui Tyron


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.

Insurance Companies' Motives

Another thing that accident victims fail to realize is that insurance companies are a business. Insurance agents are not there to ensure that the victim's needs are provided for on a long-term basis. It is their job to settle claims as quickly and cheaply as possible.

It's not uncommon for insurers to pressure an accident victim into accepting a less than ideal settlement offer. However, a New Orleans personal injury attorney understands the rights of accident victims and knows the ins and outs of negotiating with insurance companies. Having their education, skills and experience on your side will offer you the best chance at getting fair compensation.

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.

This is the first order of business when working with a New Orleans personal injury attorney. He or she obtains a copy of the accident report, interviews witnesses and works with an accident reconstruction specialist if necessary. The accident victim and his or her attorney must be able to convince a judge and jury that the accident happened as they said it did.

Negotiating A Settlement

If you've been injured in an accident, the ideal scenario is that the responsible party offers fair compensation to settle the claim. They may even have legal representation to assist in 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.

No Fee Until the Case is Settled

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.




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