Immediately after a car accident in Idaho, you are required to inform the police if there was death, injury, or property damage worth $1,500 or more involved. If the accident was a minor blip, you could probably file a claim with your insurer. Idaho is an at-fault state, so if the other driver was negligent, the typical action is to file a car accident claim with their insurer. The big question here is about legal representation. Should you hire an Idaho car accident attorney? How much would it cost you? In this post, we are discussing the basics.
When should you definitely hire an accident attorney?
There are some circumstances when hiring an attorney is an absolute must. Call a personal injury law firm, if
- You had a share in the fault
- You suffered injuries that are likely to impact your future
- Your injuries are permanent
- There was a truck involved
- The car accident involved a government entity or agency
Idaho follows the modified comparative fault rule. If you were partly at fault for the aforesaid accident attorney, your settlement would be deducted by your fault (in percentage). Insurance companies often twist evidence and laws to shift the blame, so they don’t have to pay huge amounts for an accident claim. Call an attorney to preserve your rights.
Cost of hiring an attorney
The only downside of hiring a lawyer after a car accident is the cost. The good news is you don’t have to pay a fortune to afford an accident attorney. Most law firms work on a contingency basis. The lawyer gets paid only when you win a settlement. The fee is a part of the settlement you get, typically from 25% to 40%. Experienced lawyers may charge on the higher side, and therefore, whatever you receive in compensation, you will lose some of it. That said, an accident attorney can ensure that you get a fair settlement. If that means filing a lawsuit in court, they will not step back.
Finding a reliable lawyer
Not all accident attorneys in Idaho are the same. Make sure that you talk to the lawyer in person before making a decision. A reliable lawyer will answer your questions and have the necessary expertise to handle your case. You should ask if the attorney is working on the case directly or whether they intend to pass it to an associate of the same firm.