Victims of car accidents may suffer from significant hardships, including high medical costs and lost wages. There’s no need to rush into hiring an attorney if you’re dealing with the fallout from a car accident.
Even if you’ve only sustained minor damage in a vehicle accident, you should still get in touch with an attorney, in the opinion of Morelli Law Firm. You, ultimately, must determine whether you need legal representation.
We’ve developed a list of six benefits of working with a car accident lawyer to assist you make a well-informed choice.
1 benefit of hiring a lawyer after a car accident is that they can look into what happened.
You’ll need proof to acquire the money you need for medical care and other costs. You will need proof that the other motorist was at fault for the accident and that you suffered physical hurt, mental distress, and monetary loss as a result of the collision.
A lawyer who specialises in auto accidents may coordinate with investigators to collect video of the incident, get police records, interview witnesses, and even inspect the vehicles involved. They’ll file an insurance claim after they’ve gathered all the evidence they need to prove the other motorist was at fault.
2 a legal representative will mediate between you and the insurance company.
The ability to deal with insurance companies is yet another plus when hiring a lawyer after a vehicle accident. Insurance companies often attempt to scam claimants out of fair compensation by providing them unfairly small settlements or by discrediting their claims.
You shouldn’t have to take on the other driver’s insurance company on your own if you’ve been hurt in an automobile accident that they caused. If you do, you’re probably not going to get the money you need to get your life back on track financially and physically.
An expert vehicle accident lawyer can help you negotiate with insurance companies to get a settlement that covers all of your costs. Lawyers have hundreds of hours of experience dealing with insurance adjusters and know how to deal with even the most difficult ones. They will see to it that you get every penny due to you.
3 lawyers who specialise in auto accidents have crucial trial experience.
While insurance settlements are the norm for vehicle accident victims, some may go to civil court to get the compensation they deserve. If the negligent party’s insurance company does not provide a fair settlement, you will have to take legal action.
Taking a careless driver to court may be a complicated and stressful procedure, but an attorney will be able to guide you through it. You may expect them to present the facts they’ve collected before the jury, call witnesses, and provide a well-reasoned case in support of your right to a substantial settlement.
You should retain a vehicle accident attorney even if you don’t think you’ll need to sue after a minor collision because of the possibility of a drawn-out legal struggle. It’s always prudent to be financially ready in case a trial is necessary to get the funds necessary to get back on your feet.
4 Your Lawyer Will Always Achieve Their Goals
One further incentive to engage an attorney after a vehicle accident is that they know when crucial legal deadlines are. You may be certain that your attorney will do all it takes to meet any deadlines associated with the filing of your case.
CVP 214 governs tort actions for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury situations in the state of New York. All claims arising from car accidents must be brought within three years after the accident, under this statute. Failure to timely submit a claim might result in a loss of compensation for physical suffering, financial hardship, and emotional anguish.
There is a time restriction on filing a personal injury claim in each state. Your attorney should be aware of the relevant time limits in your state.
5. A lawyer can tell you what kinds of compensation you’re entitled to get
If you don’t have a history in personal injury law, you may not know that you’re entitled to certain types of compensation. A personal injury lawyer can assess how the wreck has affected your life overall, and advise you on what kinds of damages you may be able to claim compensation for. They will ensure that you get compensated for all of your losses, including:
Damages in this category may include the expense of medical care, including visits to the doctor, hospitalisation, diagnostic testing, treatment, rehabilitation, and the purchase of any necessary medications or assistive equipment.
Reduced pay: These damages might make up for lost income if you were injured and had to miss time from work.
Lower potential income Car accident victims may be unable to return to work due to long-term injuries. In such a circumstance, having legal representation may help you get financial compensation for lost wages.
The Cost of Vehicle Maintenance: It’s possible that your car was also damaged in the crash that left you wounded. Your attorney can help you have your automobile repaired costs refunded if you provide them a copy of the invoices.
Injuries sustained in a vehicle crash may cause excruciating pain that might interfere with a person’s ability to function normally and enjoy life’s basic joys. Your lawyer may seek compensation for bodily pain and suffering if you’ve been seriously injured.
6 lawyers that specialise in auto accidents often do not want payment up ahead for their services.
Most lawyers who specialise in vehicle accidents do not require their clients to pay any money up advance. As an alternative, they may want a contingency fee. If this is your first time filing a personal injury claim, you may not be aware that your attorney will take a percentage of any settlement or jury award as payment for their services.
Attorney fees average 30% of the total settlement or award for advice and representation. There is often no cost until your attorney wins your case, so you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket if your claim is rejected. “If you’re still determined to handle your case on your own, read on for five compelling arguments in favour of retaining legal representation after an auto accident.
7. Being aware of any and all possible consequences
Even if you think you know what to do following a vehicle crash, that’s not enough. When filing a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim, it’s important to know your rights, the entire amount of your losses, and what constitutes reasonable compensation. Depending on the severity of the injuries you sustained and the circumstances surrounding the accident, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, property damage, disability, disfigurement, pain, and suffering. Furthermore, if you’ve been rendered incompetent, you may be entitled to compensation for the money you’ve lost at work and the emotional support your loved ones haven’t received because of your absence. It’s for these and other reasons like these why having legal representation is highly recommended.
No amount of effort will be spared by a skilled attorney who knows how much your physical and emotional suffering are worth after a vehicle accident. It’s easy to settle for a lot less than you deserve if you try to estimate the value of your damages on your own, particularly if you’re focusing on intangibles like pain and suffering.
We at the Angell Law Firm will be at your side while you pursue financial restitution.
8. Wounds and Damage May Not Be Immediately Visible
You need to consult a legal professional immediately. They will get right into looking at your case and putting together the pieces. You should talk to an attorney regardless of whether you feel OK after the collision or your automobile seems undamaged. It may take time for symptoms of whiplash and other injuries sustained in vehicle accidents to manifest themselves. The onset of the unpleasant symptoms may be delayed by a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks. Damage to your vehicle may not always be obvious, just as injuries sustained may not be immediately noticeable. The at-fault driver may promise you that the dent on your fender is nothing, and that you can simply “buff it out.” However, the ding may be hiding significant structural damage to your car. If someone else caused the damage, why should you have to cover it?
Wondering what kinds of wounds you could get? Take a look at our article “What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?”
9. Extensive Familiarity With The Law
In all likelihood, you are unaware of every applicable legal provision that applies to your predicament. An experienced vehicle accident attorney can help you determine what laws and considerations apply to your situation, and provide you insight into how the local courts would interpret those laws. This way, you won’t have to spend precious time researching when you should be resting and getting well. And if a lawsuit is necessary, you should know that it will need a great deal of time and effort. You’ll need to research what to submit, how to arrange your paperwork, which pieces of proof are valid, and which ones aren’t. It’s difficult, and time is of the essence. If you’re facing a complex legal matter, you should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney.
10. Representing Clients in Insurance Claims Hearings
Insurance firms for automobiles will do anything they can to avoid paying out claims or to pay out as little as possible. A lawyer will know what evidence can strengthen your case. If your claim is rejected, your attorney will appeal and continue to battle for you. In order to get rid of your claim as fast as possible, your insurer will likely give you a cash settlement. They should settle for as little as possible to prevent personal injury claims and minimise losses.
There is a high probability that their first offer will be inadequate.
An car accident lawyer will have the knowledge to reject lowball settlement offers and seek a more satisfactory one. Arguably more difficult than filing a lawsuit is establishing that you have a valid one. The questions you may ask and the evidence you can offer may be considerably restricted by certain laws and procedures. Legal analysis of considerable depth is required if you want the judge and jury to take your side. It is quite difficult to prove one’s own negligence in a personal injury case. Assuming your vehicle accident case ends up in court, you’ll likely need the services of a competent and aggressive auto accident attorney.
11. Preventing Monetary Loss
Is it possible to incur financial losses while going it alone?
What happens if a lawsuit is filed after the deadline has passed?
Or, what happens if you file a claim for damages but send it to the wrong defendant?
Is it possible that improperly presenting your case’s evidence may result in its dismissal as well?