Regardless of how careful or skilled you are as a driver, you could still get involved in an accident. You could be the unlucky victim of the actions of another reckless driver. 

After the accident, you may assume you don't need to hire a car accident attorney before filing claims. After all, you are innocent, so everything should work out in your favor, right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Below are three convincing reasons to hire an attorney even if you aren't at fault for the accident. 

The Other Side May Deny Liability 

Even if you're completely confident the other driver caused the accident, there is no guarantee they will accept liability. If the accident caused severe injuries or massive property damage, the liability could cost thousands of dollars. As a result, the other driver or insurance company will do everything possible to evade or minimize loss. 

In fact, the other party may lie or twist the facts to make it seem like you're to blame for the accident. If you don't have a competent car accident attorney to rebuff these accusations, you could be on the hook yourself. 

Your State's Fault Rules Could Complicate the Case

Car accident injury claims are usually determined based on the negligence fault theory. Different states use either the comparative negligence theory or contributory negligence theory. If your case goes to trial, the fault theory used in your state will determine the outcomes. 

If your state operates under the comparative negligence theory, the court will assign a 'share' of the blame to each party. Each party is held liable in direct proportion to their fault. For example, if you're deemed 20% responsible for the crash, you can only recover 80% of the total losses. If your state is under the contributory negligence theory, you can only recover damages if the other party is 100% at fault for the crash. 

Keep in mind that insurance companies are aware of these fault rules and will apply them when negotiating settlements. They may pressure you into admitting fault to influence the case in their favor. Car accident attorneys have dealt with insurance company representatives for many years and can speak on your behalf. 

 You Need to Maximize the Settlement

Assuming that the other party has accepted liability and is willing to cover the damages, it's still advisable to hire an attorney. This is especially true if you have serious injuries from the crash. 

If you decide to file the claims without the help of an attorney, you risk leaving money on the table. For example, you might seek compensation for medical expenses and vehicle damage, but do you know you can also get thousands of dollars for the pain and suffering you have experienced?

Other damages include:

• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Future expected medical costs
• Reduced quality of life
• Disability
• Punitive damages
• Physical therapy

Your attorney will review your case to determine the damages you can pursue successfully.