What a Car Crash Accident Lawyer Does
Investigates the Car Crash
A thorough investigation establishes what happened, how the collision occurred, and who was at fault. Your lawyer utilizes accident reconstruction specialists, interviews witnesses, reviews police reports, obtains video footage, and gathers other evidence.
Determines Fault and Liability
Your attorney must prove negligence of another driver or party directly caused the car accident and your resulting damages. Identifying liable parties is key to securing fair compensation.
Assesses the Extent of Damages
Documenting your injuries, vehicle damage, lost income, and all other monetary losses allows your lawyer to calculate the true value of your compensation claim. Long-term prognosis should also be considered.
Handles Negotiations with Insurers
Insurance companies often make lowball offers hoping injured victims will accept less than they deserve. Your attorney levels the playing field with aggressive negotiation tactics aimed at securing fair settlements.
Provides Litigation Representation
If reasonable settlement offers are not made, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. Experienced trial lawyers get maximum compensation.
When to Hire a Car Accident Attorney
You Suffered Serious Injuries
If a car crash caused extensive injuries requiring ongoing treatment, having a lawyer ensures adequate compensation for both current and future medical expenses.
Multiple Vehicles Were Involved
When multiple cars collide, liability gets complicated fast. Allow an experienced attorney to navigate fault and multiple insurance claims.
The Insurance Company is Dragging Feet
Insurers often stall and deny legitimate claims. If an adjuster gives you the runaround, promptly retain legal counsel experienced at expediting claims.
You Are Being Blamed Unfairly
Don’t let insurers wrongfully accuse you of causing the crash. Assertive lawyers fight back against false allegations.
Filing an Injury Claim After a Car Crash
Reporting the Accident
Contact the police to file an official report documenting the crash and any traffic violations. Get badge numbers of responding officers. This report becomes crucial evidence later.
Seeking Prompt Medical Care
Get evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible, even for seemingly minor injuries. Delayed treatment can hurt your claim. Fully document all diagnoses and prescribed treatment plans.
Notifying Your Insurance Provider
Alert your insurer of the crash immediately. Provide all relevant details and follow your policy’s claims procedures. If another party was at fault, your insurer may subrogate to recover payouts.
Preserving Evidence from the Scene
Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, skid marks, debris, weather, and road conditions. Video or audio record eyewitness accounts on your phone. This evidence helps prove the actual circumstances.
Keeping Records of Expenses and Losses
Retain all medical receipts and billing statements, pay stubs showing lost wages, auto repair invoices, and other documentation of crash-related expenditures. Verifiable records help maximize compensation.
Maximizing Compensation in Your Claim
Calculating Medical Costs
Add up all treatment expenses from hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, assistive devices, rehabilitation, and more. Also account for the likely costs of future care.
Documenting Lost Income
Provide your attorney documentation like tax returns, pay stubs, and HR records to tally lost wages accurately. Include missed work time, diminished earning capacity, and lost job opportunities.
Assessing Damage to Your Vehicle
Determine repair costs or the total loss value of your car or motorcycle. Present repair shop estimates, auto valuation data, and insurance claim documentation.
Accounting for Pain and Suffering
Detail how the crash injuries have negatively impacted your quality of life so your lawyer can seek additional damages beyond concrete expenses. Describe your emotional, mental, and physical distress.
With an attentive car accident lawyer guiding you, the post-crash claims process becomes much smoother. Retaining strong legal counsel ensures you receive the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve after getting injured in someone else’s negligent actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a car accident should I hire a lawyer?
Contact an attorney for a consultation as soon as possible after seeking medical treatment. Swift legal action helps secure evidence before it dissipates.
How are car accident lawyers paid?
Most work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only collect a percentage if they recover compensation for you. Typical contingency fees range from 33% to 40%.
What if I was partly at fault for the car accident?
Even in states with comparative negligence rules, you can still recover damages proportional to the other driver’s fault percentage. An attorney can negotiate fair compensation even if you shared partial blame.
What qualifies as pain and suffering damages?
Pain and suffering encompasses physical discomfort, emotional distress, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment in life, and other difficult-to-quantify accident impacts.
What steps can I take to find the best car accident lawyer?
Lookup client reviews, verify bar association standing, examine case results, schedule consultations, and ask lots of direct questions before choosing your representation. Go with an attorney you trust.
