A knowledgeable car accident attorney can assist you in a number of ways after a serious accident caused by another driver. Many accident victims are eligible to receive compensation to help cover medical expenses, lost income and other accident-related expenses. But many people take settlements that are far less than the full value of their claim because they don’t have a forceful lawyer advocating for them. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is unlikely to offer you the full value of your claim unless the insurer sees that you are serious about pursing it—even if that means going to court.
After a personal injury lawyer reviews the specifics of your car accident, you will receive an explanation of your legal options and have a better understanding of the value of your claim. With the assistance of a lawyer, you can improve your chances of maximizing your claim and avoid being pressured into settling for less than you may rightfully deserve. A skilled lawyer can do the following on your behalf:
An experienced lawyer will take the time to investigate all the potential contributing factors to a serious car accident. While the cause of the accident may seem clear, there may be multiple contributing factors, such as driver distraction, poor road conditions, lack of proper signage, or a vehicle malfunction. A car accident lawyer may work with accident reconstruction specialist to understand how the accident unfolded and all the contributing factors.
A lawyer will pinpoint the contributing factors as a means to identify all of the potentially responsible parties who may be liable for compensation. If the at-fault driver was driving a company vehicle, for example, his or her employer may bear some responsibility for your injuries. In cases where a vehicle malfunctions, such as a tire blowout, it could be a manufacturer who is partially at fault.
Your lawyer can deal with the insurance company adjusters while you concentrate on your recovery. Any information you provide to the at-fault driver’s insurance company adjuster may be used against you to minimize or invalidate your claim. Have a lawyer deal with the adjuster for you to reduce the risk of having your statement misconstrued.
A lawyer can help you assess all accident-related expenses, including estimated future medical costs. This is commonly done by consulting with your doctors and other medical professionals to come up with an estimate on what your future expenses may be based on the injuries you sustained. Without projecting future costs, you could miss out on compensation you are likely to need to complete your rehabilitation and recover fully from your injuries.
After a car accident, your attention should be focused on your health and recovery. The last thing you should have to do following a car accident is deal with hospital staff or debt collectors about the payment of your medical bills. A lawyer can deal directly with the hospital or debt collector and inform them of a pending claims to put an end to harassment
An insurance company’s interest is in minimizing the amount its pays out in claims to protect its profit margin. The insurance company’s initial offer is likely to be far less than what a claim is actually worth. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is hoping you will accept the settlement offer and, in doing so, sign away your right to sue for further damages. Never accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without having a lawyer review it.
A lawyer understands the laws pertaining to car accident claims and how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair and just settlement amount. You are at a disadvantage trying to negotiate with an insurance company on your own without a lawyer. A lawyer can help you recover wages from work lost due to your injuries.
If you have been involved in a car accident, particularly one caused by another driver’s negligence, you owe it to yourself to hire a lawyer so you have a dedicated legal advocate fighting to get you the compensation you deserve.
