Auto accidents can turn your life upside down. Physical injuries can result in life-altering impairments. Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses can cause a financial crisis. If you hire a car accident lawyer, what will they do to help you?
An Attorney Deals With the Insurance Company
The insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate your claim. Insurance adjusters are highly-trained professionals with one priority: to protect the insurance company from liability.
The adjuster will work to minimize the amount you receive for your damages. An attorney protects you from insurance tactics and bad faith practices to protect your right to a fair settlement.
Car Accident Lawyers Handle Legal Matters
Car accident cases involve many legal matters that most victims are not equipped to address. Legal issues that often arise in car accident cases include:
Allegations of Comparative Negligence
Blaming the victim for contributing to the cause of the crash to reduce the value of their claim.
Statute of Limitations
Calculating the deadline to file claims and lawsuits. You could lose the right to file a legal claim if you miss the deadline.
The statute of limitations can vary depending on the state, type of case, and other factors in the case. For example, in Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the crash to take legal action.
Proving Negligence
Most car accidents are based on negligence. You must have sufficient evidence to prove duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages to win a case.
Filing a Lawsuit
Most car accident cases settle through negotiations. However, an attorney may file a lawsuit as a negotiating tactic. If negotiations fail, the attorney can proceed to trial.
A Lawyer Understands the Value of Damages
Insurance companies undervalue damages. They also do not tell victims about damages the victim is not aware of when settling a claim. A car accident lawyer pursues all damages you are entitled to receive.
Most car accident victims are entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other economic damages. They may also recover compensation for their injuries, pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages.
A skilled personal injury lawyer works with experts when necessary to value damages, including future damages. They understand how to maximize the value of damages to increase the amount you receive for your car accident claim.
Negotiate a Fair Settlement Amount
Experienced car accident attorneys are resourceful negotiators. They are skilled in using the evidence in the case to create compelling arguments for damages.
Attorneys also understand the law, so they devise a legal strategy that supports the claim that the other driver is responsible for causing the accident.
Gather Evidence To Prove the Claim
You must prove the legal elements of your case to recover compensation. Therefore, you must have evidence. Evidence in a car accident case can include:
- Police reports and accident reports
- Statements from the drivers, eyewitnesses, and passengers
- Physical evidence gathered at the accident scene, including photographs and videos
- Medical records
- Testimony and opinions from expert witnesses
- Videos of the collision from traffic cameras and other sources
A car accident investigation can be lengthy and costly. An attorney has the resources and time to conduct an independent investigation to determine the cause of the accident. They gather and preserve evidence proving who caused the crash.
Attorneys can also access leading expert witnesses to assist with the investigation, settlement negotiations, and trial. They collaborate with medical professionals to link your injuries to the accident.
Represent You Without Charging Upfront Fees
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Instead of charging you an upfront retainer fee, they agree to receive a percentage of the amount they recover for your claim as their attorney’s fees.
Therefore, you do not have any out-of-pocket costs to hire a car accident lawyer. The attorney generally pays the costs of pursuing the claim (check with your lawyer to make sure) and is reimbursed from the settlement proceeds. This system makes hiring a top-rated car accident lawyer affordable for accident victims.
Car Accident Lawyers Are Valuable Assets You Need to Pursue a Claim
Car accident lawyers don’t just settle your personal injury claim. They provide support and guidance as you navigate the legal system. Your attorney also helps you receive the compensation that you need and deserve as you continue to recover from a tragic accident.
If you have questions about a car accident case, talk with an attorney during a free consultation.
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