If you’ve been in a minor car accident and were not seriously injured, do you need to hire an attorney? It’s a common misconception that any...
If you’ve been in a minor car accident and were not seriously injured, do you need to hire an attorney? It’s a common misconception that any auto accident involving property damage and/or injury should always be taken to court, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, there are several reasons why you may want to hire an attorney if you’ve been in an auto accident, including these three major ones that we discussed below.
Insurance claims can be complicated
If you’ve been in a minor car accident, it can be tempting to handle everything yourself and head to your insurer on your own. After all, there’s not much damage and nobody was hurt—so what harm can there be? We all like to do things ourselves, but when it comes to insurance claims after minor accidents, you’re often better off calling in an attorney. Here are three reasons why 1. No one wants to spend money they don’t have to: Everyone likes saving money where they can, especially if it means having more money at the end of each month. Even if you haven't sustained any major injuries or damages in a minor accident, hiring an attorney is almost always cheaper than dealing with your insurance company directly because they will likely negotiate on your behalf and help settle any outstanding issues quickly and efficiently without going through lengthy negotiations or back-and-forth with their attorneys themselves. It may sound surprising, but even small amounts of cash saved here and there add up over time! An attorney for car accidents will make sure that doesn't happen by negotiating for you rather than letting you deal with them directly.
Legal bills are tax deductible
Some lawyers will work on contingency. If your case is successful, they get paid. But if you don’t win, they don’t get paid—and you still owe them for their time. If you hire a lawyer on contingency, any fees associated with your case are tax deductible (as long as you incur them in connection with carrying out a profession or trade). This can be a big deal because legal fees can quickly add up. While it varies by state, attorneys typically charge $100 to $300 per hour and some law firms bill at even higher rates. On top of that, most states allow attorneys to tack on another 50% or more in costs and expenses when calculating how much they should be reimbursed for working on your case. And all of these charges are tax-deductible!
The process can take longer than you think
After you’ve been involved in a car accident, it can seem like dealing with insurance companies and filing small claims is going to be quick and easy. But that’s not always how it works out, especially if you don’t work with an attorney. Insurance companies are in business to make money, which means they’re going to do everything they can to avoid paying claims and provide you with as little compensation as possible. That doesn’t mean everyone who works for them is out for blood; often, their hands are tied by what upper management allows them to do. That being said, remember that your insurance company isn't your friend – hire an attorney if things get complicated. It will save you time and stress down the road.
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