How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help You?

Recovering financially, physically, and emotionally from an accident can be an uphill battle. However, hiring a car accident attorney can make this process easier.

An attorney can help you investigate the circumstances around your case, offer legal advice, and even negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.

An experienced car accident lawyer can make all the difference in your case. They can help you build a personal injury claim and get fair compensation for damages.

While some victims never fully recover from significant injuries caused by other drivers in a collision, hiring a lawyer eases their financial burden.

What Will Your Car Accident Lawyer Do?

Depending on the complexity of your case, there are several roles a car accident lawyer can take.

Communicating With the At-Fault Party’s Insurance

Your lawyer will communicate with the other driver’s insurance adjuster and any other parties involved on your behalf.

An experienced lawyer will try to build a good relationship with the insurance adjuster to ensure you get fair compensation.

Obtaining Evidence of Liability

A car accident lawyer can also help you obtain evidence of liability. Even if you have photographs and video evidence from the crash scene, your lawyer should visit the site to get a mental image of the accident.

They can also look for any cameras around the scene that may have captured the accident, get the accident and police reports, and speak with the investigating officers and witnesses. A car accident lawyer can help preserve evidence and find expert witnesses to testify in your case.

You do not have to accept the accident report as the final verdict. Most car accident lawyers hire investigators to gather further evidence to support your claim. Other steps your lawyer can take to gather evidence include:

• Taking photos of the accident scene and surrounding area immediately after the collision
• Taking photographic evidence of the cars involved and damages caused to prove liability.
• Procuring fire and ambulance services reports where necessary
• Recording any observations made by the emergency personnel at the crash site.
• Taking statements from witnesses
• Preserving video and photographic evidence from witnesses who have recorded the crash.
• Interviewing businesses and homeowners near the crash site
• Obtaining video evidence from surveillance cameras around the crash site
• Obtaining and reviewing your medical records to prove the severity of your injury.

Obtaining Evidence of Damages

A good lawyer can make a difference in your claim by obtaining evidence of damages. If you have suffered significant injuries, it is critical to prove bodily harm, financial loss, and emotional damage resulting from the accident.

You must obtain your medical records to prove your injuries. However, it can be challenging to get these medical records. Healthcare providers deal with emergencies daily, so sending medical records to patients is not a priority.

If you were treated in a small hospital, they might need more time or employees to respond promptly to your request for medical records.

On the other hand, large hospitals may have complex procedures that must be followed to obtain your records. Failure to follow the procedures or skipping steps may result in your request getting denied.

A good car accident lawyer or paralegal has the expertise to navigate this process and help you obtain your records. The lawyer will also assess the medical records to ensure that the prognosis is correctly described to support your claim.

In some instances, healthcare providers may neglect to mention causation which can hurt your claim.

Your lawyer can write to the doctor to request their professional opinion on what might have caused your injuries proving liability and any future damages you may suffer.

Mediation With Lien Holders

When an accident occurs, you may receive benefits from your worker’s, health, or disability compensation insurance.

In this instance, the insurer is said to have a lien on your claim. If you receive compensation, the lien holder will get paid before you receive any settlement.

An experienced lawyer can negotiate with such lien holders to reduce their lien and ensure that you receive sufficient financial support as you recover.

Negotiating with Defendants and Insurance Companies

Negotiating with an insurance company is an art. Insurance companies will pay as little as possible to safeguard their profits. However, with the help of a good car accident attorney, you can get the maximum compensation you deserve.

An experienced lawyer can tell how much the case is worth by reviewing all the evidence. They also understand how the negotiation process works and will conduct them effectively to arrive at the best outcome for your case.

Protect You from Debt Collectors

After a car accident, victims often fall behind on bills. Serious car accidents can also cause injuries that may lead to expensive medical bills, which attract debt collectors. You should not have to suffer for urgent medical treatment that is essential for your health.

A car accident attorney can help you understand the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and protect you from harassment. They can also update the collectors on the progress of your claim.

When Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Most victims are often reluctant to hire a lawyer after an accident. However, hiring a car accident lawyer immediately after a crash significantly increases your chances of getting a fair settlement. You should hire a car accident attorney if:

You Do Not Understand Car Accident Law

Most victims do not understand the laws concerning car accidents. Hiring an attorney allows you to get legal help from a professional with an in-depth understanding of the law.

They can also advise and help you review your insurance policy to understand the complex clauses that may impact your coverage.

You Suffered Significant Damages

While some minor accidents do not need negotiations with lawyers, most major car accidents cannot be handled without legal help.

If you suffered property damage, severe injuries, or lost wages, hiring a car accident attorney can help you get fair compensation.

An experienced lawyer can even help you calculate what your claim is worth and even determine future expenses that may arise from your injuries.

The Insurance Company Has Denied Your Claim or Offered a Low Settlement

We recommend hiring a lawyer immediately after an accident to increase your chances of getting maximum compensation. In most cases, insurance adjusters devalue your claim to help the insurance company save money.

A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the negotiation process and obtain the compensation you deserve.

The Insurance Company Is Not Willing to Negotiate

Sometimes, the insurance company refuses to negotiate or denies your claim. An experienced lawyer will help you fight for your legal rights by representing you in court.

Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident Claim?

There are numerous benefits to hiring an attorney for a car accident claim.

Legal Advice

Getting accurate information after a car accident can be complex and even confusing. Online articles may have contradicting information, while friends and family offer different opinions on how to go about your claim.

A car accident attorney will provide accurate and up-to-date legal information. They also have years of experience handling car accident claims and can help you work out a customized approach to your case.

They can analyze the details of your case and offer appropriate advice to help you get maximum financial compensation.

Representation in Court

Most car accidents are resolved before they get to trial. However, insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement if you have a car accident lawyer. Even if you file a lawsuit, an experienced attorney can help you negotiate and reach an agreement with the insurance company before you get to court.

If negotiations fail, your lawyer will represent you in court. They will also help you file a lawsuit and get the necessary documentation and expert witnesses to testify.

Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Car Crash?

Even if your accident was minor, hiring a lawyer protects you from any legal claims the other driver might make to blame you for the crash.

If you are filing for damages, a lawyer can help you ensure that your claim is comprehensive. They can also gather evidence to support your claim.

Questions You Can Ask Your Car Accident Attorney

We recommend gathering as much evidence as possible before speaking to a car accident attorney. In some cases, victims who may be severely injured may be unable to collect evidence.

However, preparing as best as possible will help your lawyer make a comprehensive assessment at your first consultation.

Some questions that you can ask your lawyer at the first meeting include:

• How are your fees structured?
• What is your success rate?
• How much time will you spend on this case?
• Do you specialize in more than injury matters?
• What are the initial costs?

Typically, car accident attorneys offer their services on a contingency basis. This means you do not pay any fees upfront. Instead, your lawyer will assume a percentage of your reward. They only get paid if you win your case.

If a lawyer does not believe in the merits of your case, they may refuse to take you on as a client because their expenses will outweigh any benefits awarded.

Summary

Car accidents result in many losses. An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for costs of repairing or replacing damaged property, medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, loss of consortium, funeral expenses, and reduced earning capacity as a result of serious injuries.

A car accident attorney can help you recover your losses if an accident occurs due to another party’s negligence. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, contact a lawyer today for a free consultation.