If you have been injured in a car accident, you probably have lots of questions. One of these questions is most likely, “Do I need to hire an accident lawyer?”

Strictly speaking, the answer to this question is, “No.” If you need to recover your losses after a car accident in Alaska, there is nothing in the law that says you are required to hire an attorney to represent you. You are free to try to handle your claim on your own; and, if the evidence is in your favor, you may be able to recover some compensation for your losses.

But, will you recover just compensation? Almost certainly not. Will you run into issues along the way? Without a doubt. Even though the insurance companies try to make it seem easy to file a claim, the reality is that recovering your losses is a challenge, and you are going to need to hire an experienced attorney if you expect to recover the full compensation you deserve.

7 Reasons to Hire an Accident Lawyer for Your Alaska Car Accident Claim

Reason #1: There are a lot of misconceptions out there

Why should you hire an accident lawyer? First, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about dealing with the insurance companies and negotiating settlements for car accident claims. If you rely on these misconceptions, you will put yourself at a severe disadvantage, and you could even jeopardize your claim in its entirety.

When you need to recover financial compensation after a car accident, you cannot afford to take chances, and you cannot afford to rely on misinformation. An experienced attorney can help you understand what is true (and what isn't) and make sure you do not unknowingly put your claim in jeopardy.

Reason #2: There are a lot of mistakes you need to avoid

Along with relying on common misconceptions, there are a lot of other mistakes you need to avoid during your car accident claim as well. How much information should you give to the insurance companies? Do you need to give them access to your medical records? If you do not know the answers to these questions, you are not equipped to make the decisions you need to make during your claim. An attorney like Eric Derleth, who has decades of experience handling car accident claims will know precisely what to do and will be able to make sure you avoid mistakes that could hinder your recovery.

Reason #3: Alaska’s car accident laws are complicated

Alaska's car accident laws are complicated—far more complicated than most people realize. While most people are at least somewhat familiar with basic concepts of negligence and liability, most people have no idea about the intricacies of Alaska's laws that decide both (i) who is liable for a car accident, and (ii) how much car accident victims are entitled to recover. When you hire an attorney, you can feel confident knowing that your attorney is using the law to your advantage.

Reason #4: Filing a successful car insurance claim is complicated

Not only are the laws that govern car accident claims in Alaska complicated, but so are the procedures involved in filing a successful claim. From conducting an investigation and issuing subpoenas to establishing leverage in negotiations and preparing for trial, each step in the process requires intimate knowledge of the laws and practicalities involved. While you can try to negotiate on your own, if the insurance companies know that you have not taken the necessary steps to accurately calculate your losses and you do not have an attorney who is prepared to take your case to trial, they are not going to offer fair compensation for your accident-related losses.

Reason #5: You might have a claim outside of auto insurance

While we have been focusing on car accident insurance claims thus far, another critical reason to hire an attorney is that you may be entitled to financial compensation outside of auto insurance. For example, if any of the following factors are involved in your case, then you will need to file a personal injury claim to recover the compensation you deserve:

  • The other driver was working at the time of the accident;
  • The driver was drunk as a result of being overserved;
  • An issue with the road cause you or the other driver to lose control; or,
  • An issue with your vehicle (or the other driver's vehicle) caused or contributed to your injuries.

Reason #6: You will need to hire a lawyer to calculate your losses

If someone else is liable for the accident, Alaska law entitles you to compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. In order to accurately calculate these losses, and in order to demonstrate that your calculation is accurate, you will need to work with an experienced attorney.

There are different methods for calculating non-financial losses after an accident, and there are special rules for calculating future losses as well. Without an attorney, you will simply be guessing as to how much you are owed, and the insurance companies are most likely going to dismiss your demands out of hand.

Reason #7: Most unrepresented car accident victims settle way too soon

Finally, as a result of lacking key information about their legal rights, most unrepresented car accident victims settle their claims way too soon. If you let the insurance companies take control of your claim, and if you let them decide how much they are going to pay, any settlement offers are only going to reflect a small fraction of what you are owed.

Injured in a Car Accident in Alaska? Schedule a Free Consultation With Accident Attorney Eric Derleth

Have you been injured in a car accident in Alaska? Do not let the insurance companies take advantage of you. To take control of your case and make sure you receive the full financial compensation you deserve, call 907-262-9164 to put Alaska accident attorney Eric Derleth on your side today.