Common Myths About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Many people are hesitant to hire an attorney after a car accident. We hear it all the time:

“I really didn’t want to have to hire a lawyer.”

And honestly, we understand that feeling. Most people have never had to deal with a serious accident claim before, and there are a lot of misconceptions about what hiring an attorney actually means.

The truth is, many of the reasons people avoid speaking with a lawyer simply are not accurate.

Myth #1: Hiring a Lawyer Means Filing a Lawsuit

This is probably the biggest misconception we hear.

Most car accident claims are resolved without ever filing a lawsuit. Hiring an attorney simply means you have someone protecting your interests, communicating with the insurance company, and helping you understand your options.

Sometimes lawsuits become necessary, especially if the insurance company is being unreasonable or legal deadlines are approaching. But for many cases, the goal is to resolve the claim fairly without ever stepping into a courtroom.

Myth #2: I’ll Lose Control Over My Case

You are always in control of your case.

Our job is to guide clients, explain the law, and provide advice so they can make informed decisions. We do not make major decisions without our clients’ knowledge and consent.

At Flattmann Law, we believe communication matters. Clients should know what is happening with their case and understand their options throughout the process.

Myth #3: Hiring a Lawyer Means I’ll End Up With Less Money

Lawyers cannot ethically guarantee results, and every case is different. But insurance companies often handle represented claims much differently than unrepresented ones.

Insurance adjusters know that people without attorneys may not fully understand the value of their claim, the law, or the long-term impact of their injuries. Experienced personal injury attorneys understand those issues and help clients avoid settling too quickly or for less than they may deserve.

There is also more involved in an injury claim than many people realize. Our firm helps clients handle issues involving:

  • Medical bills
  • Health insurance reimbursement
  • Medicare or Medicaid claims
  • Property damage issues
  • Settlement paperwork and administration

Our goal is to take as much stress off our clients as possible so they can focus on getting better.

Myth #4: Hiring a Lawyer Gets the Other Driver “In Trouble”

Many people worry that hiring an attorney means they are personally attacking the other driver. That usually is not the case.

In most situations, the claim is being handled by the insurance company. If a lawsuit becomes necessary, the insurance company typically hires and pays for an attorney to defend the case.

By the time someone hires a lawyer, the accident investigation and any traffic citations have usually already occurred. Hiring an attorney generally does not create additional punishment for the other driver.

Questions After a Car Accident?

If you have questions about your accident or are unsure whether hiring an attorney makes sense for your situation, we are happy to talk with you.

At Flattmann Law, we help people throughout St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and communities across the Northshore including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, Madisonville, and the New Orleans metro area.

Call (985) 590-6182 today for a free and confidential consultation.

Have you been in an accident recently? Get a free, confidential case review with Grady

When you ask for Grady, you get Grady. At Flattmann Law, we make sure that your consultations and cases are not assigned to a junior associate. Grady will personally be on the phone with you or meet you in person to discuss your individual situation. We will represent you not only as your attorney, but also as your neighbor.

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