After an auto accident in Fort Worth, an injured person may wonder whether it’s a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney if the collision was another driver’s fault. If the amount of medical expenses and lost income was relatively small, such as less than $4,000, it’s usually more reasonable to handle the matter without legal representation. The insurer will probably pay this amount without any issues, and the individual can avoid paying a contingency fee to the attorney that normally runs around one-third of the settlement.
Contingency Fee Considerations
The contingency fee should be kept in mind during all considerations of hiring an attorney. A lawyer may not be willing to take on a case that is only worth $3,500, for example, because the amount of time required to manage the case would not be worth the contingency fee. If a lawyer cannot see any reason to request a higher sum from the insurer, the individual will be better off accepting that amount in a settlement.
However, consider someone who has $50,000 in medical bills by the time they leave the hospital and will be out of work for three or four months. A personal injury attorney with an organization like the Law Firm of David S. Kohm can help if the insurer is stalling or offering less than should be expected. The main exception would be if the other driver’s insurance policy did not cover an amount any higher than the insurer is offering. The insurance company is not liable for paying more than the policy is worth.
Complicated Post-Accident Situations
When the situation is very complicated after an auto accident in Fort Worth, hiring an injury lawyer makes sense. Car accidents can leave victims laid up for a long time. They may need surgery or multiple surgeries, skin grafting, and physical therapy. Equipment like knee braces and canes may be necessary. A lawyer can convince an insurer to pay for all these expenses as well as for intangible factors like post-traumatic stress and reduced quality of life. Repairs to the vehicle or the replacement value should be made as well.
