What Will a Car Accident Lawyer Actually Do for Me?
If you’ve been in a car accident, of which there are around 6 million each year in the US, you may be wondering if hiring an auto accident attorney is really necessary. While you can try to handle your car accident claim on your own, there are several key benefits to having an experienced attorney on your side. If you have yet to hire one, there are 165,720 personal injury lawyers, many of which handle car accidents. Here’s an overview of what a car accident lawyer can do for you.
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Investigate the Accident and Gather Evidence
One of the most important things a car accident attorney will do is conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. The attorney will review the police report, visit the accident scene, take photographs, measure skid marks, and gather any other evidence that may be relevant to proving who was at fault.
An experienced car accident lawyer knows what evidence to look for and how it may help build a solid claim for full financial compensation. Having an attorney on your side soon after the accident can help ensure important evidence is preserved before it disappears.
What Damages Are Available After a Car Accident?
Car accidents often result in significant damages and losses. Your car may be totaled, you may have expensive medical bills, and you may be missing work and losing income while recovering. Calculating all the compensation you deserve can be complicated.
Your attorney will assess both economic and non-economic damages you sustained in the accident. This includes property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. On average, a car accident victim loses 11 workdays following an accident, which costs them around $1,590, but serious injuries like TBIs can cause far more economic damage.
A car accident lawyer will then calculate a total estimated value of your car accident claim and fight for full compensation.
What Is the Car Insurance Claims Process Like?
In most car accident cases, negotiations with insurance companies play a big role. You can expect the at-fault driver’s insurance provider to make you a settlement offer well below what your claim is really worth.
An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to skillfully negotiate with insurance adjusters to secure a fair settlement. The attorney will start by submitting a demand letter to the insurance company detailing your losses and what compensation you seek. If the insurer does not make a reasonable counteroffer, the lawyer can take the case to litigation and fight for your claim in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
A car accident case typically takes 3-6 months to settle, but some more complex cases take a lot longer. Dealing with the legal claims process on your own after an accident can be extremely tedious and frustrating. There is a lot of paperwork and filings involved. Your lawyer will handle all aspects of your car accident case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
The attorney will file the complaint or lawsuit, complete required forms, collect medical records, respond to discovery requests, appear at hearings, and handle all case management.
Will My Car Accident Case Go To Trial?
Most car accident claims (around 95%) settle out of court through negotiations between attorneys. However, some cases cannot be resolved through settlement agreements. If your claim goes to trial, your car accident lawyer will advocate for you every step of the way.
With an experienced lawyer, you’ll stand the best chance of getting the compensation you need to recover and move on.
