Why You Should Hire an Accident Lawyer
A reputable accident lawyer has years of experience working on and negotiating cases involving car accidents. They do not hesitate to take the defendants all the way to the courtroom.
Getting medical attention immediately following an accident can establish a medical link between the crash and your injuries. This is essential when claiming damages for future and present expenses.
Getting Started
After a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You may be facing expensive repairs to your vehicle, medical bills for your injuries, as well as loss of income while you are not able to work. A lawyer hired to handle your case will help you to get the compensation you need to get back on track financially.
It is essential to find an attorney who has extensive experience in handling cases involving car accidents. A search on legal databases like Avvo or Martindale-Hubble could help narrow down your choices and review attorneys’ professional histories. You can find information about the amount of car accident claims they have handled as well as the rate of success of those claims.
An experienced attorney will have a good understanding of the insurance policies that are involved in car accidents and how they are applicable to various scenarios. They should be able explain the procedure to you and make sure you are aware of any deadlines or restrictions on filing claims. They should also be able to give you an estimate of the worth of your claim based on the type of injuries that you’ve suffered as well as their impact on your life.
In addition to providing you with an understanding of the legal process A seasoned lawyer will also be able to gather all of the required evidence to support your case. They are likely to visit the scene of the accident, talk with witnesses and even take photos to help determine liability. They will also thoroughly review your insurance policy, including any special provisions such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or collision coverage, to ensure that you are receiving the maximum amount possible from your claim.
A NYC car accident lawyer with experience will be able calculate the maximum amount of damages you are entitled to, based upon the extent of your injuries and losses. They will take into account the financial damage, such as repair and medical expenses, as well as non-economic damages like pain and discomfort.
Documenting the Accident
Documentation is an essential element of any accident claim. If it’s photos of the scene, witness statements or medical records describing injuries and ongoing medical treatment the law relies on hard evidence to assign fault in cases. This is especially important in pursuing compensation from the at-fault party for damages such as those resulting from pain and suffering. Stories fade and memories change over time, therefore documentation is essential to an equitable settlement.
If you’re able to, it’s best to take pictures of the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. This is especially helpful in determining the cause of the accident. Things to look out for include skid marks traffic signals, skid marks, car damage, weather conditions, and the location of the accident.
Video footage of the accident is also very helpful. This can help establish the truth about what transpired during the accident and reveal any possible hostilities. It is recommended to speak with witnesses at the accident site. This gives you and your lawyer a second set of ears and eyes to assist with the case. It’s not always easy to do this because people don’t always stop when they witness an accident take place. It’s possible to conduct some research and look for nearby homes and businesses where people who work or reside there might have witnessed the accident.
A journal of your experience regarding your injuries and accident could be useful. This can help your lawyer paint a picture of the accident and could even be the difference between an insurance company offering you an acceptable settlement.
You may also submit receipts from any expenses that were incurred because of the accident. These could include prescription costs, equipment (such as canes or crutches) and even transportation expenses for doctor’s appointments. You should keep all receipts since these expenses are often high and you are entitled to full reimbursement.
Get Medical Attention
Although a car crash can cause discomfort, it could also cause internal organ damage. It is important to seek medical attention right now to ensure your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Also, seeking an experienced medical professional within a short time after your accident will help support your claim by establishing the link between the incident and your current condition. This can help prove causation which is crucial to winning your case.
It is an excellent idea to visit a doctor even when your symptoms are not serious since often injuries aren’t immediately apparent after the crash. Our clients report that a lot of the most serious issues started as minor niggles that grew over time into much more serious health problems. It is also essential to document every injury you’re suffering and the various ways it has affected your life since it could be used to calculate damages, such as future expected medical bills and lost income due to missing work, reduced earning potential, as well as pain and suffering.
Additionally, it is important to inform the insurance company of the collision and all occupants of your vehicle about any medical treatment that you receive, as it could affect the amount of compensation you will ultimately receive from your insurer. Some insurance policies have additional insurance for medical expenses that is the primary benefit of private health insurance — referred to as medpay — so you should find out more about your specific policy and whether or not this type of coverage is offered.
If you speak to anyone on the scene of the accident, it is an excellent idea to stay clear of making statements that might be misconstrued and used against you in court. In the heat of the moment, it is easy for people to lose their guard and say something that could later be twisted as an admission that you’re lying or fake injuries.
Contacting an attorney
You’re sitting at a red light after an extended day when a driver hits you. You both leave your vehicles to inspect the damage. Both of you are not injured and the vehicles look fine. You decide to file a claim through your insurance company, and avoid having to call the police or an attorney.
The issue with this strategy is that it can be difficult to receive the total amount of compensation owed to you for your injuries as well as other crash-related losses. This is because insurance companies are known for trying to minimize or deny claims made by accident victims. This is done by questioning the severity of the incident and your injuries, as well as cutting down the settlement amount. An experienced lawyer for car accidents is proficient in these strategies and is able to defend yourself against them.
A lawyer can also access to resources that you do not have include, like an online database of traffic cameras, contact numbers for witnesses, and other documents. They will also have the knowledge and expertise to confront the at-fault insurers in negotiations or when necessary, in court.
Attorneys can also go to the scene of the accident to collect any evidence to show liability. They may also take photos themselves and speak to the other participants in the incident including witnesses. This is important since it establishes the relationship between your injuries and the negligence of the other party.
Finally, your attorney will make sure that you have sufficient insurance coverage that will cover the full range of the costs incurred by your crash. This covers not just the cost of medical bills and lost wages, but additionally other damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more.
An attorney’s help is always recommended after any car accident. It isn’t a matter of how minor you think it was. If you call an attorney, sooner the attorney can begin gathering crucial information, acquiring evidence and contacting key witnesses. Remember that time is running out on your claim. Under state law your injury claim can be filed for up to two years before it expires.