Should you consider hiring a car accident attorney in Fort Wayne?
Although unfortunate, car accidents are not uncommon in Indiana. A fatal crash in Fort Wayne, or a serious car accident, can leave you in a state of trauma and despair. Indiana is a fault state, so if the other driver was responsible for the accident, you can file a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation for your damages. Here comes the big question – If you can file an insurance claim on your own, do you really need to hire a car accident attorney in Fort Wayne? Here are some basic aspects worth knowing.
A share in fault
If you had your share of fault in the accident, you may lose your awarded compensation considerably. More importantly, insurance companies will do their best to minimize the settlement they pay. That’s because Indiana follows the modified comparative negligence rule. You can ask for compensation, even when you had a share of fault, but your eventual compensation will be reduced by your fault in percentage. If you were more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything. The modified comparative negligence may not help your case in the real world. One of the key reasons why you need an attorney, is to evaluate the true worth of your claim.
Insurance companies will not help you
Keep in mind that insurance companies make money through premiums, and not by paying settlements. The claims adjuster may promise that they are making the best offer, but that would be way less than what you deserve. When you hire a car accident attorney, they will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They will also ensure that the settlement is fair, and you don’t end up taking the blame for the accident.
You don’t have a lot of time
One of the key reasons why you must hire an accident attorney is because you don’t have much time. The statute of limitations in Indiana allows just two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. The count starts from the date of accident. While that can seem like a lot of time, you may eventually miss the deadline, because the insurance claims process will take time. Get an attorney, so that you don’t have to bother about all that.
A personal injury lawyer will investigate the matter and gather evidence for your car accident case from day one, and that can dramatically change the compensation you get.
