If you’ve been injured in a car accident, there are some steps you should take to help protect your legal rights. One of those is to hire a car accident lawyer to handle your case. A lawyer will help you to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses related to the incident.
Gather Evidence
A good car accident attorney will be able to obtain all the important information that can help them build your claim. This includes police reports, witness statements, and even photographs of the scene. If possible, your attorney will also go to the scene of the accident themselves. They’ll look for any faulty construction or signage, as well as the condition of the roadway.
Prove Fault
Car accidents are caused by negligent or reckless behavior on the part of another driver. This could be due to a drunk driver, driving too fast, or failing to follow safety rules. When this happens, victims can file a claim against the at-fault party to receive compensation for their damages.
The first step in proving fault is to report the accident to your insurance company. You should do this immediately after the crash to ensure that you’re able to file a claim within the correct time frame. The statute of limitations varies from state to state, so it’s crucial that you act quickly to prevent losing the right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Don’t Give an Oral Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
Once the other driver’s insurance adjuster contacts you, don’t grant them any interviews or provide them with a written statement. The insurance company will use this information to try and minimize the severity of your injuries, shift some or all of the blame onto you, and attempt to reduce your settlement offer.
Be Prompt With Your Insurance Claims
The sooner you contact an attorney after a car accident, the better. This will enable your lawyer to help you file your insurance claims and negotiate with the other party’s insurance provider on your behalf.
You’ll Need More Than Just Medical Bills and Property Damage to Recover Compensation
A car accident lawyer can collect additional compensation for your losses, including non-economic damages such as emotional pain and suffering or loss of companionship. These damages can be difficult to quantify, but an experienced lawyer knows how to determine them.
How Much Will My Auto Accident Claim Be Worth?
When a victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses are combined, it can be hard to determine how much a claim is worth. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you estimate the value of your claim and determine whether you’re owed more than the insurance company is willing to pay.
You’ll Need More Than a Simple Settlement Check Offered by the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
When you’re in an accident, it can be overwhelming to deal with the insurance companies and their representatives. The insurance company will likely offer you a quick settlement check in an effort to get the claim over with. This will save them money, but it may not be sufficient to cover all of your expenses.