Do you need an attorney for your Indiana car accident?

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Hundreds of car accidents are reported in Indiana every year. Such an unfortunate accident can leave you in a serious state of worry. If your injuries are serious, this may mean losing out on work and paying huge medical bills. This brings us to an important question – When should you hire a personal injury attorney Fort Wayne for your car accident? Do you really need an attorney in the first place? In this post, we are sharing a few critical aspects worth knowing.

Not all car accident cases need a lawyer

If the accident was a minor bump and your losses are not severe, you may not need an attorney. It really depends on the facts of the case, but it makes sense to seek legal advice at least once. The good news is personal injury attorneys in Indiana will usually offer free initial consultation, so you can meet the lawyer to discuss your car accident claim. 

When you definitely need an attorney

There are certain circumstances when you definitely need a lawyer. Call a lawyer, if- 

  1. You suffered serious injuries
  2. You are likely to suffer from temporary or permanent disabilities because of your injuries
  3. You were partly at fault
  4. There were multiple parties involved
  5. There is no clarity on fault

Indiana follows what is called the ‘modified comparative fault’ rule. If you had part share of fault, your compensation will be reduced by your share. In the real world, insurance companies often use this rule to deny claims. If your share of fault is more than 50%, you cannot get anything at all. The claims adjuster may make a small offer, but that is never usually equal to what you may deserve.

When you hire car accident attorney, you get their expertise and experience on your side. They can file the claim, handle the claims adjuster, and negotiate on your behalf. Also, if there is a need to file a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will initiate the proceedings. They will handle all the formalities and paperwork, so you can stay back home and recover.

Cost of hiring a lawyer

Most car accident lawyers in Indiana work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay them right away. If the attorney wins a settlement for you, they will charge a percentage of the amount as their fee, usually not more than 40%. 

Talk to a car accident lawyer soon after your accident, to know your claim’s worth.