Have you ever been involved in an accident? If not, the chances of you being in one are high. This is because there are millions of car crashes reported in The United States in a single year. Some are minor bumps while others are serious. Minor accidents are straightforward, and you do not need to hire a lawyer.
After you are involved in a serious accident, hire a lawyer as soon as you can. The lawyer will deal with filing a claim and getting you the compensation that you deserve.
- The Extent of Damages and Injuries
After your accident, your car may look fine, and you may be feeling alright. However, some injuries are not noticed or felt immediately. Some may take a few days or even weeks for the painful symptoms to start. In this same way, the damage to your car may not be easy to spot.
The person who is at fault may assure you that it is just a minor bend. Imagine if you believe that, and then a few days later you discover the minor bend is masking extreme structural damage. It would be disastrous. This is why you must get in touch with a lawyer immediately.
The lawyer will be in charge of investigating your case and piecing together proof. You do not have to pay for something that was damaged by another person and they get to go about their lives as nothing happened.
- Lawyers Have Done It Before
This is going to be the first time you have been involved in a serious car accident. You do not know how most of the things are done and why they have to be done or even the consequences of not doing a certain thing.
You might have handled the aftermath of the accident well, but that is not enough. You need to know the extent of your damages and that of the car plus your rights. This is why you need to hire a lawyer. They have been involved in cases involving car accidents and they know how to navigate whatever curveball is thrown your way.
You are entitled to compensation for property damage, disfigurement, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and disability. If you become incapacitated, you can claim lost income and loss of companionship for your family. Experienced car accident lawyers do their best to ensure you are compensated for all that you have lost. They will also let you know if you have under quoted or over-quoted the amount.
- Whose Fault Was It?
Car accidents happen suddenly and fast so it is hard to tell who is at fault. The other driver may have been on a call or even texting and this caused the accident. However, they sue you for causing the accident. Unfortunately, cases like this happen often. Irresponsible drivers who do not want to take responsibility for their actions.
You need an experienced accident attorney to help you navigate this. They will know what angles to pursue and what questions to ask especially since the other party is most likely going to hire a lawyer. This other lawyer is going to try to pin it on you and get their client free.
Fighting fire with fire will level the playing field.
- Representation in Court and Insurance Negotiation
Insurance companies will try to pay you less than the amount in your claim. Worse still, they may deny your claim. Lawyers know what kind of information can lead to this. They are also aware of what will improve your chances of winning your claim. They are also ready to appeal if it is denied.
Sometimes, to do away with your claim, you will be offered a monetary settlement so that your claim can go away fast. They do this to avoid personal injury lawsuits and pay little. They rarely offer a fair amount. Your lawyer will know what tactics to use to negotiate for a better amount.
If you thought filing the case was hard, you are wrong. The challenge lies in proving your case. Some formalities and rules limit the kind of evidence you present and the number of questions you can ask. An aggressive lawyer will know how to convince the court to side with you.
- Financial loss
A lot of things could happen that will cause you to lose money. You can be late in filing your suit, you might address the wrong defendant for damages, or you can present information in the wrong format. These are a few of the things you can do that will affect the outcome of the case negatively. The judgment will not be based on who the court thinks is right but, on the evidence presented. Remember, you cannot sue again. You will be forced to pay the costs of an accident you did not cause with absolutely no compensation.
- Peace of Mind
The accident will leave you in pain and disoriented. Apart from that, you have to go to the hospital and get treatment. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be in the hospital for some time. During this time, the window for you to file your claim may be closed. To avoid this, hire a lawyer. The lawyer will take care of everything while you focus on getting better, knowing things are running smoothly.
Most people do not know the extent of damages or what to do in case of a car accident. The smartest thing to do is to hire an experienced and aggressive lawyer. Studies have shown that victims of road accidents who represent themselves in court lose the case. Do not accept being part of these statistics.
Look for a lawyer who specialises in car accidents. Look at their reviews. What do their clients say about them? Go for one that is skilled in the courtroom with good ethics. Most of them offer free consultation, go for it before making the final decision. After all, you have to maximise the chances of you winning the case.
