Car accidents happen in an instant but can impact your life for years to come. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re probably incurring medical expenses and may even be losing wages due to your inability to work. By hiring an experienced lawyer, you’ll be able to recover your financial losses and receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive?
You may receive money in an out-of-court settlement from the other party’s insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to settle, the next step is file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. The insurance company’s attorneys will handle defending the lawsuit.
Whether the money comes from a settlement or verdict, you may be able to receive money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage (and diminished value)
- Lost earnings or wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic damages
Is It Possible to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Without Paying Any Fees?
When you’re already facing medical expenses, property damage, and/or lost income, the last thing you need is another bill. The good news is that you can hire an auto accident attorney without spending a single penny until your case is won.
If we agree to take your case, we will enter a contingency fee contract with you. “Contingency” means “conditional.” You will only pay us if we win a judgment or settlement on your behalf. Once the case resolves, our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the award or settlement. Contingency fees work both ways. If we take the case to trial, and a jury does not agree with your side of the case and awards nothing, we don’t get paid. If that happens, we’re risking our time and money (case costs) to take the case to trial.
How Much Money Can I Receive After a Car Accident?
Your insurance claim settlement value, or how much your case is worth, depends on many factors. During your FREE case review, expect to review these case value factors:
The extent to which you were at fault.
Ideally, the other driver was 100% at fault, but you can be compensated for a car accident if you were partially at fault. However, being partially at fault for an accident will cause your compensation to be reduced by that percentage of fault.
Your medical bills and expenses.
Car accident victims can be compensated for a range of medical expenses, including surgery, ambulance rides, prescription drugs, physical therapy, hospitalization, and medical equipment like crutches or wheelchairs.
The severity and permanence of your injury.
You can generally receive a higher amount if you suffered a long-term or permanently disabling injury and are unable to earn income as a result. Settlements for minor injuries, such as sprains (torn ligaments) and strains (muscle tears), are lower because of the lower medical costs and recovery. Settlement values also factor future expected medical costs, pain and suffer, and lost income.
The type of treatment you received.
Insurance companies will only reimburse medical expenses they deem “reasonable and necessary.” It’s a common tactic for insurers to say that certain treatments fall outside of this description, particularly if the car accident victim is seen by multiple doctors for the same type of injury.
The duration of your treatment. Insurers consider factors like how many doctor appointments you made (“too man” or “not enough”), how many weeks or months of medication you were prescribed, and how long you will need medical care.
What to Look for in Hiring an Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer?
The decision to hire an attorney is an important one. Here are some factors to look for:
1) Does that attorney actually try cases?
A lot of firms don’t like to try cases. It’s hard work, and with a contingency fee, the attorney doesn’t always get paid. Insurance companies track which firms that go to trial, and which law firms are “settlement mills.” This can affect the value of a case.
2) Who at the law firm will be handling your case?
A lot of large firms have paralegals or “case managers” handling the bulk of a claim. Is an attorney handling your case? Who will talk with you at the law firm when you have questions?
3) Do you get along with that attorney?
Lawsuits are especially stressful for clients. If you don’t like or don’t feel comfortable with the attorney, that just adds to the stress. You don’t need to hire the first attorney that you see. Feel free to talk with several attorneys before you hire one. Just because you meet with one, doesn’t mean you should feel obligated to hire that particular attorney.
4) What kind of cases, besides car accidents, does the attorney handle?
There are good attorneys that handle a wide variety of cases, but it’s generally a good idea to have someone that concentrates their practice on car wrecks and personal injury law.
Finding The Best Lawyer For Your Car Accident Case
If you’re injured in a car crash, it’s advised that you consult an experienced personal injury lawyer about the possibility of getting compensated for your expenses. With over 75 years of combined experience, the Oklahoma City car accident lawyers at Hasbrook & Hasbrook stand ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney will represent you during settlement negotiations, compile evidence of your injuries and their causes, and handle all of your legal paperwork, so that you can focus on resting and making a recovery – not fighting with an unreasonable insurance company.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Oklahoma City, OK, contact us now for a FREE consultation.