After being involved in a car accident, you may get tempted to leave everything in the hands of insurance providers. You may think that since you weren’t at fault, insurance providers will rule in your favor. However, that is not necessarily true.
The other driver may have a different story compared to yours and with expensive car repair bills, the entire settlement process could become a mess. Remember, no insurance company loves to part with money and they will try to find ways to either not pay you or pay a minimal amount. That is why, after a car accident, you should not hesitate to immediately hire the services of an experienced Auto Accident Attorney.
Five Compelling Reasons Why You Need Such A Lawyer Handling Your Case
-The Right Experience to Handle Car Accidents
You may want to save money and not hire a lawyer in an auto accident claim. However, when you get an offer from the insurance company, you will not know whether it is fair. Since you are not an expert in auto accident laws, the insurance provider will not try to offer you the best settlement. On the other hand, when you partner with an auto accident lawyer, you can rest assured knowing that their experience in car crash cases will work to your advantage.
The attorney experienced in this field handles multiple accident claims every day. So, they are well-versed not just with the long-term and short-term effects of auto accidents but also know based on your injuries and damage to your car how much should the accident claim be. So, the attorney you hire will know whether your car accident is eligible for damages. If yes, they will also know approximate the amount, and that will them seek the right compensation on your behalf.
-Sound Knowledge and Understanding of the Law
If you are a victim of an auto accident, you will want to recover from your injuries and get back to normal life. The last thing you will be worried about is the legal process. However, that is something you cannot ignore. An auto accident defense attorney has a thorough understanding of the law and will know the different options that are available to pursue a claim. They will be able to wade through the complexities of the applicable laws and find which laws apply to your case.
Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the car accident to determine whether the other driver was at fault. This is an important element as someone needs to be accountable before the insurance provider or court can settle a claim. It is also essential to know the statute of limitations to bring your case to court if the insurance provider does not settle the claim. Your Accident Lawyer will have the right knowledge to pursue the case and you get compensated as per the prevailing laws.
-Prove Liability
When you are involved in an auto accident, proving that the other driver was at fault is an essential part of getting compensated. You may think that witness statements are sufficient. However, that is not true. Even if the other driver was at fault, you have to prove that they were careless while driving and that resulted in the accident. This can be tough to do if you are a layperson.
On the other hand, the auto accident attorney will try to find all the possible evidence to prove the other driver’s liability. This could include videos from nearby businesses or getting witnesses to provide videos from their phones, mobile phone photos, photos of the accident site from witnesses and intersection cameras, statements made by witnesses, and medical reports and tests. Your attorney may also enlist the help of an accident reconstruction specialist to figure out how the accident took place. That, in turn, will reveal who was at fault. This can also show whether a vehicle defect was the cause of the accident, in which case, you may be eligible for more compensation from the car manufacturer.
-Dealing with Insurance Companies
Ask any person who has dealt with insurance companies and they will tell you that attorneys of these companies can be rather intimidating. Insurance providers’ legal team can take your words or statements out of context or you could end up hurting your claim by saying things without realizing it. With an accident attorney by your side, you do not have to worry. They will handle all the communications with the insurance company.
It is prudent to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses and they feel that they should decide the amount of compensation you should get for a claim. When you are represented by a lawyer, the insurance company will not be able to bully you. The lawyer will always put your interest first and will not let the insurance provider reduce your claim. If the insurance company refuses to accept your claim amount then your attorney will be more than happy to file a lawsuit and fight the case in court to get you fair compensation.
-Negotiate the Settlement On Your Behalf
As a layperson, with no experience in settling claims, you will not know whether the offer made by the insurance provider is fair and properly valued. To finish the settlement process as quickly as possible and minimize your stress, you will accept whatever the insurance provider offers. This is not the way to settle a claim after a car accident. That is why you need an auto accident lawyer, who will determine if the settlement is correctly valued.
Your settlement claim can cover several things, like:
-Bills for medical treatment
-Medical bills for treatment in the future due to the accident
-Loss of wages if you are unable to work because of your injuries
-Loss of future income if can’t earn due to the injuries you sustained in the accident
-Damage to your vehicle or property
-Pain, suffering, or PTSD due to the accident
Your attorney will consider all these things and then arrive at a figure. They will pass on this amount to the insurance company and then it is up to them to accept, reject, or negotiate. Your lawyer will always tell you when the settlement amount is fair and ask you to accept it. In case you and the insurance company do not agree and all negotiations fail, your attorney will then file a court case. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney will not succumb to the pressure applied by the insurance company and will use their experience and strategies to get you justice and the compensation you are entitled to.
The Bottom Line
Being involved in a car accident is not easy. It can be a life-changing experience. That is why you need to hire an auto accident attorney, who will fight on your behalf and help you recover financially from this ordeal so that you can continue looking after your loved ones and yourself. When you know a seasoned auto accident lawyer is handling your case, it will give you peace of mind that you have a professional who will look out for your best interests.
