Yes, it is highly recommended to hire a Minneapolis accident attorney for a crash that wasn’t your fault, as insurance companies are known for trying to minimize payouts and even reject valid claims. A lawyer works for you, not an insurance company, and will fight to protect your rights. You can trust an attorney to prove that you were not at fault and maximize your financial recovery.
The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
While hiring a personal injury attorney is never mandatory as an injured accident victim, it can be a wise decision that protects your future. A lawyer can advocate on your behalf in the face of insurance company tactics that are often used to deny or diminish claim payouts. This can protect your rights and increase the value of your injury claim.
Even if you know you weren’t at fault for an automobile accident or another harmful event, an insurance company can try to turn the evidence around and use it against you to protect its own profits. An insurer may attempt to collect a recorded statement from you early after your accident, for example, and then use your own words against you later to paint you as an unreliable witness.
A Minneapolis injury lawyer will protect your rights by taking over communications and negotiations with an insurance company on your behalf. Your lawyer can prove that the other party was at fault and preserve your right to recover financial compensation. Then, your lawyer will negotiate the value of a settlement offer higher to achieve a fair amount, or – if necessary – bring your case to trial.
How an Allegation of Fault Could Affect Your Injury Case
You might be 100% certain that a car accident wasn’t your fault, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be taken advantage of by an automobile insurance company during the claims process. If an insurer blames you for the crash even by a small percentage, this can reduce your financial recovery.
In Minnesota, § 604.01 of the Minnesota Statutes states that an individual’s financial recovery will be reduced in proportion to his or her own degree of fault for an accident. If you are assigned 10 percent of the blame for an accident by an insurance provider, for instance, a $100,000 settlement would be reduced to $90,000.
If you suffered serious injuries, a settlement reduction for your own alleged fault can have a major impact on your financial future. It is even more important to hire an attorney if you are being blamed for the majority share of fault; in Minnesota, if your fault is determined to be 51 percent or more, you will receive no financial compensation at all.
Red Flags That Mean You Need to Contact a Lawyer
You can always enjoy many benefits from consulting with a lawyer about your current situation and insurance claim, especially if someone is blaming you for an accident that wasn’t your fault. However, there are certain circumstances where it is even more important to hire a lawyer for legal representation:
- An insurance company is blaming you for the accident
- You suffered severe or catastrophic injuries, or a loved one died
- You have expensive property damage or a high-value claim
- The insurance company is trying to undervalue your losses
- The insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement
- The insurance carrier is delaying the claims process without reason
- Your claim has been wrongfully denied
- It appears your case will need to go to court
Even if you weren’t at fault for your recent accident and injury, it is a good idea to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case, rights and legal options. Unlike an insurance provider, an attorney will have your best interests in mind. You can trust the advice you receive from a lawyer to guide you through this difficult time.