When Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Amarillo, TX?
Getting into a car accident is never easy to deal with, especially one that wasn’t your fault. The injuries and damages you suffer can be severe enough to put your entire life on hold. When you’re trying to recover from serious injuries, navigating the legal process to get the compensation you need and deserve for your losses can be much more difficult than it seems.
If you’re in this situation, you may be wondering, “When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?” While you typically want to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible, we’ve broken down several situations to help you know when it’s time to call for legal help after a car accident in Amarillo, TX.
When the Insurance Company Tries to Lowball You
Dealing with an insurance company is never easy, because their entire business model depends on withholding as much compensation as they think they can get away with. After a car accident, they may do this by downplaying the extent of your damages or simply failing to consider damages you’re entitled to. That’s why having an experienced attorney on your side anytime you have to deal with an insurance company, especially one that’s trying to lowball you, will be to your benefit.
A lawyer can help in many ways when it comes to handling insurance companies. Before knowing whether or not a settlement offer is fair, you have to know how much your case is worth. A lawyer can properly evaluate both your economic and non-economic damages. Then, they can put together a case and argue for the true value of your claim, while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
When You’re Struggling to Prove Fault
Being able to prove the other driver in your accident was at fault is the key to a successful car accident case. While this may be relatively simple in some scenarios, there are other accidents where multiple parties may be found at fault. The state of Texas abides by a modified comparative fault rule when it comes to shared fault for car accidents.
Put simply, comparative fault in Texas means that any compensation you may be entitled to after your car accident may be reduced by the percentage of fault you share for the accident. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found to be 20% at fault, you’d likely only be able to receive $80,000 for your losses. If you’re more than 50% at fault, however, you won’t be able to recover anything from the other party’s insurance company. If you’re struggling to prove the other driver was at fault or the insurance company is trying to blame you, having a lawyer on your side will give you the best chance of building a strong case and recovering the maximum amount of compensation possible.
When You’ve Suffered Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic, or “invisible,” damages are particularly tricky to navigate without a lawyer. These are your losses after a car accident that aren’t easy to calculate. When you consider what damages you can claim after a car accident, your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages typically come to mind first. These are economic damages, or damages that can easily be attached to a dollar amount. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to losses like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and even loss of companionship in the case of a wrongful death.
Claiming and arguing for non-economic damages is one of the most difficult aspects of seeking compensation. Insurance companies will likely try to downplay your non-economic damages since it’s more difficult to demonstrate the impact your accident has had on your daily life than it is to provide a receipt for your medical bills. However, it’s always important to remember that your non-economic damages are just as devastating as your economic losses and you deserve fair compensation for these damages, as well. An experienced car accident attorney can help you determine what you’re owed for your economic and non-economic damages and fight for every dollar on your behalf.
Need Help with Your Car Accident Claim? Let Us Go to Bat for You!
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Amarillo, TX, and need someone to go to bat for you, Tormey & McConnell is the name you can trust. Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience helping our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Call us or contact us online for a free case review and let us go to bat for you!