When you have been injured in a car accident in NYC, hiring an accident lawyer in New York to deal with all the insurance and legal complexities is a must. However, despite the necessity, there are many myths and misconceptions involving hiring accident lawyers in New York. These myths sometimes stop victims from getting the help they deserve, significantly damaging their chances of securing compensation. At Gabriel Law, we’ve heard it all, and that is why we want to take this as an opportunity to expose and debunk some of these myths and educate everyone on the importance of having proper legal representation.
Myth 1: It’s a simple case; I don’t need a lawyer.
While some cases can appear simple and straightforward on the surface, things can get complicated real fast. The fact is, if you do not have the proper legal knowledge and experience, you can miss some important points that can have significant consequences. Accident attorneys bring a lot of skills, experience, and negotiating power to the table. You are more likely to walk away with a favorable settlement as opposed to when you try to handle everything by yourself.
Myth 2: Lawyers are too expensive—they will take all my settlement money.
There are different types of fee arrangements that lawyers follow. In New York, most auto accident attorneys adopt a contingency fee arrangement. Under a contingency fee arrangement, a lawyer will only take a percentage of your settlement as legal fees. However, your lawyer can only claim their fees if they win your case. Under this arrangement, the client bears none of the financial burden connected with the claim. Simply put, “No win, no fees.”
Myth 3: The insurance company will give me a fair settlement.
Your insurance company is not your friend. While they are legally obligated to offer you a settlement, they will do their level best to reduce their financial responsibility and wash their hands clean by getting you to sign a waiver. If you try to deal with the insurance company by yourself, then you are very likely to fall victim to one of their many pressure tactics. This will result in you walking away with less than what you deserve.
When you bring your auto accident attorney in Queens to the negotiation table, the insurance company will know you mean business and will be more careful about applying pressure tactics. Even if they do, your lawyer will be familiar with them and will be able to teach you how to effectively deal with them.
Myth 4: Lawyers will only delay the resolution.
It’s not in anyone’s interest to delay the resolution of a case. When you hire a skilled and experienced lawyer from a reputable personal injury law firm in NYC, they will ensure that your case is handled efficiently and in a timely manner. When you have a lawyer handling your case, the delays caused by the lack of proper documents and other administrative errors can be significantly reduced.
Furthermore, consider the fact that almost 90% of car accident cases are settled out of court. This is a good indication of how lawyers prioritize efficient conflict resolution over lengthy court proceedings.
Myth 5: I have plenty of time to file a claim; I can wait a bit.
Do not make the mistake of assuming you have all the time in the world to file your accident claim. In fact, the deadlines for insurance claims and lawsuits in New York are extremely strict. Failing to keep up with these deadlines will result in you losing your right to claim compensation, regardless of the merits of your claim.
Keep in mind that you need to complete filing of your insurance claim within 30 days of the accident. Also note that if you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, it must be done within 3 years from the date of the accident. While these periods can seem like a lot of time, it can quickly creep up on you. Hiring a Queens car accident lawyer can help you make sure that you do not lose your right to compensation and you walk away from the whole ordeal with your settlement in hand.
Conclusion
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions when it comes to hiring an accident lawyer in New York. But do not let these myths and misconceptions stop you from getting the legal help you need. When it comes to dealing with complex insurance and legal procedures following a car accident, you need an experienced attorney by your side. That is where Gabriel Law can help.
As a personal injury law firm in NYC, we hear a lot about these myths and misconceptions from our clients. Rest assured, we are more than happy to answer any questions you have about the legal process and put your mind at ease. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation.
