Motor vehicle accidents result in the number one cause of personal injury claims in the US. Many of these accidents result in unnecessary deaths and most of them are due to a driver’s negligence. Often with a personal injury claim that is a result of an auto accident, the injured parties reach a settlement with the responsible party.
They are commonly awarded money to pay for any medical expenses, as well as to compensate for any suffering or other damages that may have been sustained. Whether your case reaches settlement or goes to trial, it might be a good idea to hire a car accident lawyer in Dayton.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
There are three main types of automobile accident cases. The following guidelines will help you determine whether or not you should hire a lawyer.
- Property damage cases: These types of cases may not require the skills of a lawyer, as long as there were no injuries suffered. You can often come to a settlement with the opposing side for about the same monetary compensation that you would get if you hired an attorney. You should be awarded money to replace or repair your vehicle, and money to cover the cost of a rental vehicle while yours is being worked on, if necessary. You can save yourself the legal fees and determine the fair market value of your car or the cost of repairs on your own.
- Minor injury cases: Cases where personal injuries are suffered are more complicated. However, if the injuries are not severe and are quickly recovered from, you probably don’t need to hire a lawyer. A general rule of thumb for determining if the injury was minor or not is the cost of medical treatment. If the medical bill is less than $1,000, it is a minor injury. In these cases, it is usually not worth spending the money to hire an attorney, based on the settlement amount you are likely to receive. If you decide against hiring an attorney for accidents with minor injuries, just make sure you properly educate yourself so that you can successfully negotiate with the insurance adjuster.
Major injury cases: You will most likely benefit from hiring a car accident lawyer in Dayton if your case involves major injuries, or anything more than minor injuries and property damage. A qualified attorney will know how to negotiate with opposing counsel and/or insurance adjusters. They will have knowledge and experience in determining damages and the associated monetary value. You are likely to receive a considerably larger amount of money in a settlement if you hire a lawyer in these types of cases.