In the U.S., there are over 37,000 deaths a year and 2.35 million Americans are injured or left disabled due to car accidents. Worse still, it seems as though accident cases are rising instead of falling. A car crash can cause grief, permanent injuries to accident victims, and serious damage to your vehicle.
When you’re in an auto accident that causes severe injuries or severe damage, trying to get compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company might not be enough. They will fight against you at every turn and try to place the blame of the accident on you.
That’s why it’s extremely important to have an auto accident attorney, also known as an accident lawyer, to help you fight for your greatly deserved compensation, whether it’s through a tough insurance company or through a lawsuit against another driver.
We’re going to learn why hiring an experienced auto accident attorney will benefit you after a devastating car accident.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you’re involved in any serious car accident that causes injuries, death, or serious car damage, you should hire an attorney as soon as possible.
Some states have a statute of limitations of when you can file an insurance claim or even a lawsuit against a neglectful or horrendous driver. For most states, you have two years to file a claim.
An experienced and dedicated auto accident lawyer will have knowledge of important laws pertaining to auto accident cases, including property damage, personal injury, and even wrongful death.
These types of attorneys can help you with every step towards receiving compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your vehicle’s damages.
Auto Car Insurance
After an auto accident that was the fault of the other driver, the driver’s insurance adjuster will come to you within a week to discuss the accident and possibly make a car accident claim
These insurance companies don’t want to have to pay you fair compensation for an accident claim. They want to save the company money so, when they can, they’ll deny your ability to make a claim through their company or try to get you to settle for a much smaller amount than you truly deserve.
An insurance adjuster will attempt to get you to sign a release so you can receive a small amount of money but you can’t sue them later on if you feel you deserve more than you already received.
An attorney can be the mediator between you and the auto insurance company. They can use their knowledge to give you a supporting hand.
Investigation and Evidence
A dedicated auto accident attorney will take the time to gather evidence of the accident and evidence of any injuries you’ve sustained.
They might hire an accident reconstruction expert to reconstruct your auto accident. These experts can determine the details and the fault of the accident.
They will also gather photographs you took at the scene of the accident, the witness’ names and numbers, the police report, and even your medical records about your injuries. Anything that can prove you were hurt due to this accident.
Your attorney will have to request your medical records directly from the doctors that have treated you. In most cases, a doctor doesn’t record the cause of your injuries so then your lawyer will ask for a letter from your doctors that include these details.
All this evidence is gathered so they can prove who’s at fault for the accident. This, in turn, shows that the other driver was also at fault for your injuries and car damages.
This evidence will also help your accident lawyer find a base amount for the compensation you’re owed, from the cost of your medical bills and the cost of your car’s damage—not to mention the fact that it helps to put a price to the pain and suffering you’ve had to deal with because of this awful auto accident.
Negotiations
Next, your car accident lawyer will help with all monetary negotiations.
In most car insurance claims, the case is settled before actually going to court. Regardless of which, your lawyer will have a full case against them.
Either way, an experienced lawyer is going to negotiate an appropriate amount of money from the insurance company or the individual. A great attorney will get you the highest payout possible.
If all else fails, your car accident lawyer already has a case built against them so they will either file a lawsuit against the insurance company.
Filing a Lawsuit
Once a lawsuit is filed, the insurance company has only 30 days to come up with a response to the lawsuit, whether that’s to finally settle or to head before a judge.
Before the actual trial, there will be deposition of witnesses or experts so both sides can interview them. You’ll also be interviewed by the defendant.
These interrogations can get serious and detailed. Be ready for an abrasive interview from the other side. They’ll also demand you have medical documentation or even medical records from years before the accident.
Don’t be surprised if you find an investigator from the insurance company watching your every move outside of your home. They’ll be looking for anything that can discredit you in court.
Then, discovery will start. Discovery is when you’re able to retrieve important evidence that backs your claim from the defendant or even a third party.
Once that’s all said and done, you’ll go to court against the insurance company. Be aware that this entire legal process can take time until everything is settled.
Your car accident attorney will notify you of important dates and keep you informed of everything involving your case, including discussions between them and the insurance company.
Conclusion
An experienced and knowledgeable car accident attorney or law firm can make your claim. Without one and without the knowledge of the law, you can end up with either zero compensation or much less than you truly deserve for your terrifying accident.