The last thing you want to think about after being in an auto accident is hiring an attorney. Chances are, you’re already battling it out with your insurance company and the thought of bringing someone else in seems overwhelming. However, hiring the right attorney early on can do just the opposite and save you time, money and additional hardship.

Insurance companies have the upper hand – from the start

Insurance companies are huge organizations; most policyholders are not. So, it’s no secret that insurance companies have the upper hand from the start. A former insurance industry professional, Marc S. Sedwick, now an experienced personal injury attorney licensed in Indiana and Kentucky, knows both sides of the coin and shared some of his thoughts on hiring an attorney to represent you in an auto accident case. According to Sedwick, “While you do not always need to contact an attorney after an accident, often times you should. Insurance companies have experienced claim professionals working on their side and often times, you should also engage the services of an experienced legal professional to represent your interests.”

Most cases are settled out of court

Contrary to what we see in television show courtrooms, most auto accident cases are settled out of court. Sedwick commented, “Except when dealing with certain insurance companies, most automobile collision cases are resolved by way of settlement. This is why it is so important to hire an experienced, thorough personal injury attorney who will work your case diligently from the beginning. The extra ‘up front work’ places your case in the position that the insurance company would be silly not to settle your case. And then, even if the insurance company does not want to settle, your case is already well on its way to being successful at trial.”

A good PI attorney should be a zealous advocate

Sedwick has a unique background when it comes to knowing the traits of a good lawyer – after all, he dealt with them for many years in the insurance industry and now is one himself. He explained what type of qualifications a personal injury lawyer should have. “I think a personal injury lawyer should be a zealous advocate that always works to obtain the best possible result for the client as possible. Ideally, he or she should be an ‘insider’ from the insurance world. Some of the best personal injury lawyers have previously worked for insurance companies, which means they know how insurers value claims. Consumers should use this strength to their advantage.”

If you’ve been in an auto accident and click here to speak with an experienced Indiana auto accident attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law.