Why You Should Hire an Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer can assist clients to build a strong case by considering the various ways in which an accident in their car has impacted their lives. This includes medical expenses for the present and future loss of wages, as well as emotional effects.
Insurance companies often under-value and challenge victims in order to avoid paying fair compensation. An attorney can assist you to fight back and get the settlement you deserve.
Medical Treatment
If you are injured, you should seek medical care immediately following an accident. Even if, at the time, you don’t feel any pain or think the injuries are not too serious it is crucial for two reasons. It helps you get the correct diagnosis and treatment and establishes the link between the injury and the accident. Second, if you do not receive treatment the insurance company could claim that your injury is not from the accident or isn’t sufficient to warrant an award of compensation.
After you’ve received treatment, it is important to keep an eye on your medical bills as well as any other expenses arising from the accident. This will allow your lawyer to show how much you’ve spent on the accident. The information will also be used to calculate the amount of the compensation you’re entitled receive.
A good lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for you so that you don’t be required to pay any of these expenses before the case is settled. In some cases it can take months or years to settle the issue or even to go to trial. Your lawyer will be in contact with you throughout the process to make sure you are up to date on the status of your case.
Once your attorney has looked over the medical records, accident reports, and other records the attorney will begin putting together a demand form for compensation. This will include a description of your damages including economic (money) and non-economic (intangible) damages. In some cases your lawyer may be able of obtaining punitive damages, in addition to compensatory damages. These damages are intended to penalize the party at fault for their conduct and prevent others from making similar mistakes.
Documenting the accident scene
Documentation is critical in accidents The best place to start is at the accident scene. It is important that you capture images of the cars along with the accident site and any other evidence which could be relevant to your case such as skid marks, or debris on the road. Also, you should attempt to get pictures from several different angles and distances in order to make sure that any evidence of importance is taken.
Witness information is another crucial document to have. It is possible to get people present at the scene who are willing to provide their accounts of what transpired which could be very helpful in your case.
It is also advisable to obtain the names, contact numbers and insurance details of any person who witnessed the incident. It’s also recommended to talk with local businesses in the vicinity to determine if they have any video surveillance footage that may show what happened. This is a great evidence in determining who is responsible.
Even if the exact cause of the accident is unclear, this evidence can be used to support your case later on to an insurance adjuster. Most of the time it is a simple issue of fact, not a question about who was at fault. Therefore, having this document will help to prove your argument that you were not in any way responsible.
It is also important to keep detailed records for all expenses incurred in the aftermath of your accident, including car repairs and medical bills. Keeping these records and receipts will help you in proving the damages you are entitled to in your claim.
You should also get copies of any tickets you received in connection with the incident. This can prove beneficial in proving your case to an insurance adjuster, especially if you are able to prove that the other driver was driving recklessly or violating traffic laws.
Gathering Evidence
A car accident can be a devastating experience for anyone. Even a minor collision can result in severe injuries, financial hardship and emotional trauma. An experienced attorney for car accidents can guide you through the legal process and ensure that you receive a fair amount of compensation for your losses. They are also adept at negociating with insurance companies to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to under law.
A key part of the process is obtaining evidence to back up your claim. This can include eyewitness accounts, police reports, medical records, and receipts for any damage you’ve incurred. In certain situations the attorney might need to employ an expert witness to give you additional details and help strengthen your case.
Note down as much information as you can following your accident. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle. Also, you should interview any witnesses as well as take notes and measurements, and record any statements made by the other driver about the accident. You should also get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident along with the name and information regarding insurance for the driver in question.
Your lawyer will collect all the information you need and ensure that it is organized and easily accessible. They can also assist you to gather additional evidence to help support your case. For instance timecards, wage statements and time cards that show how much time you missed at work due to injuries. They can also request copies of your medical records from health care providers, and must sign the HIPAA release in order to speak to your doctors.
When calculating your damages your lawyer will take into account how your injuries have impacted you both in the past and in the future. This involves assessing your physical and mental effects as along with non-economic damages such pain and suffering.
It’s important to find an attorney with extensive trial experience because this is the best way to make sure that you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses. A good attorney will take you to trial if needed to ensure you get the most favorable settlement.
Discussions with the Insurance Company
While it is tempting to save time and money by negotiating with insurance companies on your own, accident hiring an accident lawyer can help you avoid a number of common pitfalls. Insurance companies typically have entire teams of lawyers and adjusters available to review your injury claim and determine how much you are entitled to. You can be held accountable for any remarks you make when talking to an insurance agent. Employing a lawyer to negotiate on your behalf will help you to even the playing field.
An attorney can also assist you to prepare a thorough account of your losses, which includes medical bills as well as receipts for any property damage you may have suffered in the accident. This is particularly important when you have suffered serious injuries. Even seemingly insignificant expenses can quickly add up. Ambulance transport and hospital treatment can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Your attorney can assist you determine what your total medical costs will be, and include it in your demand form to the insurance company.
Unfortunately, it’s not typical for insurance companies to try and offer you a low initial settlement offer that is lower than what your injuries and expenses really are worth. Your lawyer can fight against this and negotiate an honest settlement that takes care of all your losses.
Additionally, your attorney can help you pursue non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, should it be appropriate in your particular case. This could require additional evidence, like the effects your injuries have affected your daily routine. A lawyer who is experienced knows how to present the information in a a convincing way and is ready to appear in court if necessary to get compensation for you.
Ultimately, it is in the best interest of the insurance company to settle your claim outside of court if possible. This could save them the expense of hiring an investigator private, paying your legal fees and also settling the claims of their own clients. It may even be in their financial best interests if the accident attorney was caused by an automobile, a public sanitation driver, or transport, as these parties have their own set of laws and procedures to be adhered to.