Car accidents can cause you to suffer financial stress, legal confusion, and fights with insurance companies that no one should have to deal with alone.
Insurance companies, whose job should be to help, often do the opposite. They look for ways to pay you as little as possible or deny your claim altogether.
A car accident lawyer takes all of that off your plate and ensures you’re not taken advantage of after a car accident.
Here are some of the things they would do to ensure you get full compensation for your pain, suffering, and damages:
Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence
Right after a crash, the first thing an insurance company does is look for ways to reduce or deny your claim. If they can argue that you were at fault, even partially, they can pay you less. If they can’t do that, they’ll try to say your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim. That’s why having solid evidence is crucial.
A car accident lawyer will go deep into the details of your case. They will review police reports, which contain officer observations, witness statements, and sometimes even a fault determination. However, police reports aren’t always perfect, and if there are mistakes, your lawyer can challenge them.
A good lawyer will track down anyone who saw what happened and get their statements before they forget details or change their story. In serious cases, lawyers bring in accident reconstruction experts who use physics and engineering principles to recreate exactly how the crash happened. This can prove fault and counter any false claims from the other party or their insurance.
This detailed investigation helps protect you from being blamed unfairly and builds a strong case to fight for the full amount you deserve.
Handling the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers trained to twist your words, delay payments, and pressure you into lowball settlements.
A car accident lawyer knows how these companies operate and will handle all communication for you. This is important because insurance adjusters often ask questions designed to get you to admit fault without realizing it.
Even saying something as simple as you’re feeling okay could be used against you later. Your lawyer speaks for you to prevent this from happening.
Many people underestimate what they’re owed. Medical bills alone can pile up months or even years after an accident.
A lawyer factors in current and future medical costs, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more, ensuring you don’t accept a settlement that won’t cover everything. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your lawyer will escalate the case and take legal action.
Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary
Most car accident claims are settled out of court, but sometimes insurance companies refuse to pay a fair amount. That’s when your lawyer will file a lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit is also a strategy to pressure the insurance company into offering a better settlement before the case even reaches a courtroom. Many times, once they see the lawyer is serious, they’ll agree to pay more rather than risk losing in court.
If the case does go to trial, your lawyer will prepare all legal documents, ensuring everything is done correctly and on time. They will build a compelling argument using evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis to present a strong case in court.
Unlike insurance adjusters, a lawyer’s only priority is getting the best outcome for you. Even though lawsuits can take longer than settlements, they can lead to much higher payouts, especially if the accident caused severe injuries or long-term consequences.
Managing All the Paperwork and Deadlines
Legal paperwork is a nightmare, especially for people who haven’t handled it before. Missing even one deadline or filling out a form incorrectly could result in a delayed or denied claim. A car accident lawyer handles all of this for you, including filing insurance claims, gathering medical records, and handling legal filings.
This might sound minor, but one small mistake could cost you thousands or even your entire claim. Lawyers make sure that doesn’t happen.
Ensuring You Get Paid the Maximum Compensation
At the end of the day, the whole point of hiring a car accident lawyer is to make sure you’re not left struggling financially after a crash. Your lawyer will fight for full compensation, which includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages.
In some cases, if the other driver was reckless or intoxicated, you may even be eligible for punitive damages, which punish them and increase your payout.
Without a lawyer, you could end up with a settlement that doesn’t even cover half of what you’re actually owed.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
