You got into an auto accident in Oregon. Now what? You’ve never been in one before, and you aren’t sure whether or not you should hire an attorney. Is it really necessary?
Here’s some more information to help you make your decision.
Why Hiring an Attorney Is Beneficial
When you get into an auto accident, the insurance company is going to offer you the lowest settlement possible if they offer you anything at all. They are in the business of making money, not giving money away to people, even if they need it.
If you suffered from a minor injury, you might think that a low settlement is fine. Why shouldn’t you accept it? There are a few reasons why.
First of all, a minor injury could get much worse over time. You don’t know how it’s going to play out, and you could end up spending lots of money on your medical bills. Healthcare is extremely expensive, and you could be held responsible for out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, once you accept a low offer, you cannot then go back and request a higher one. You won’t have any recourse. So even if your injury gets worse, you can’t go to the insurance company and request more money. You’ll be out of luck.
However, you don’t feel like fighting with the insurance company. You’re injured and don’t have the time to focus on it. You just want to get better. That’s where an auto accident attorney can help.
They will negotiate with the insurance company and fight on your behalf. All you’ll have to do is answer some questions, stick to your treatment plan, and provide them with any evidence you have, like your medical records, photographs of the accident, police report, or witness statements. With an attorney on your side, you’ll have someone standing up for you in your time of need.
How Hiring an Attorney Works
An auto accident attorney will provide you with a free consultation and work for free. They will only charge you if they can get you a settlement. You will know their fee when you start working with them. They will collect a portion of your settlement. That’s it. You won’t have to pay anything aside from that portion, so there is really nothing to lose.
Essentially, you’ll start with your consultation and, if you decide to work with the attorney, hand them over the evidence you have. Your attorney can also collect some on their own. Then, they will communicate with the insurance company, so you don’t have to. They will determine the damages you’re going after, like your medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages if you had to take time off from work, emotional distress, and more.
Once your attorney presents you with an offer from the insurance company, you can let them know if you’re comfortable with it. Perhaps there are more damages that could apply. All you need to do is find an attorney with years of experience and the case results to back it up, like Zbinden & Curtis.
Contact Zbinden & Curtis Today
Zbinden & Curtis, a Portland personal injury law firm, cares about accident victims, and we’re ready to help you with your Oregon auto accident case. We fight tooth and nail for our clients to get them the settlement they deserve in their time of need.
Contact us today to learn more by calling (503) 287-5000 or contacting us on our website for a free case evaluation. We look forward to assisting you.
