When someone has been seriously injured in a vehicle crash that was another driver’s fault, hiring an Accident Attorney in Upper Marlboro may be necessary to obtain a fair and reasonable settlement. The lawyer acts as the client’s advocate, negotiating with the automotive insurance company on behalf of the person. The experience and knowledge of the attorney, along with the implied possibility of a lawsuit, is an incentive for the insurer to cooperate.
Settlement Offers
An Accident Attorney in Upper Marlboro typically provides free consultations. A person who isn’t sure about hiring a lawyer can still speak with one and learn whether the current settlement amount is fair or not. Sometimes, professional legal representation is unnecessary or would not be helpful. For instance, if the insurer is offering $25,000 and the person wants $30,000, the legal fees might even be higher than that extra $5,000. An attorney probably would not accept a case like this.
Maximum Policy Limit
Also, the insurance company is only liable for the policy’s maximum limit, as defined in the policy. The state requires a minimum of $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person and $60,000 per accident. The insurer is not legally obligated to pay any more if that is the coverage chosen by the policyholder. Medical expenses can easily go well beyond this amount.
Filing a Lawsuit
Usually, the only way that an attorney could recover more is if the at-fault driver could successfully be sued for further compensation. Unfortunately, drivers who choose this limited liability coverage typically do not have assets to protect against lawsuits. Judges normally do not order wage garnishment in these types of cases since the driver was following state insurance laws.
Working Together
If an attorney from an organization such as Jaklitsch Law Group is willing to accept the case, and the person decides he or she wants to hire the attorney, the two will begin working together to obtain compensation for the client. The lawyer takes over all communication with the insurance company, and the individual no longer has to feel pressured to take calls or emails from the adjusters.
