Following a traffic accident, most people have a lot of questions and even more concerns as they find themselves suddenly facing a mountain of hospital bills and a totaled vehicle, all while being physically unable to work and earn a living. Most accident victims are also wondering how they can collect financial compensation for their damages if the accident was not their fault and if or when they should ask an attorney to step in.
Working with an experienced nationwide auto accident lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and help you secure a settlement award that actually covers your losses.
At Local Accident Reports, we offer dependable support and legal advice for car accident victims across the country. We are committed to helping our clients receive the full amount of financial compensation for their losses.
We offer free initial consultations, and our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no upfront costs unless we win your case. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you after a car accident.
Keep reading to find out the best time to speak with a lawyer and how they can help you with your car accident case.
Filing an Insurance Claim
When you are involved in a car accident, your first step in pursuing compensation is filing a claim with either the other motorist’s insurance company or your own. Many states abide by the laws of comparative negligence, meaning that if you contributed to the accident in any way, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
In a worst-case scenario, the other driver doesn’t have any insurance coverage, or they do, but their policy limits are not enough to adequately cover your damages.
If the other driver’s auto insurance policy is not able to cover your losses, you might be able to pursue financial compensation through your own auto policy as long as you have uninsured motorist coverage. Hiring a qualified car accident attorney from Local Accident Reports immediately following a car accident is the best way to ensure that your damages are correctly valued and that you are fully informed on all potential sources of recovery.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In the event that your accident involves an uninsured motorist, even your own auto insurance policy still might not fully cover your damages. At this point, you are eligible to pursue the remainder via a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.
If you feel that the insurance company is not making you a settlement offer that fairly covers your damages, you may file a personal injury suit as long as your state’s statute of limitations has not expired. An attorney will also be able to determine how much time you have to file and take any necessary actions to ensure that the deadline set by your state is met.
There are a lot of factors that come into play when you are pursuing a car accident lawsuit. The injuries you sustained must have resulted in economic or noneconomic damages that you are able to prove through official documentation, such as your medical records and vehicle repair bills. You will also have to prove that the other driver was at fault for causing them.
When Should I Consider Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you were injured in a traffic accident that was not your fault, you should consult with an attorney as soon as you are able to do so. You will most likely need to file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance carrier, and a skilled attorney can assist you in building a compelling case right away.
Generally speaking, the sooner you start working with a personal injury lawyer, the better off you will be. You should also consider hiring an attorney, even if your injuries were fairly minor. Car accident injuries often turn out to be a lot more serious than they first appeared, and the insurance carrier is going to give you a hard time regardless.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
An experienced traffic accident lawyer will be able to help you achieve a successful resolution to your injury claim by handling several key aspects of your case, such as:
They Have Professional Knowledge of the Claims Process
Auto accident attorneys specialize in helping injured crash victims get the compensation they are entitled to for their losses. Additionally, they also have years of experience, training, and schooling in negligence theory and tort law. This means they can capably advise you on the wisest course of action for your circumstances.
If the insurance company or the at-fault driver tries to lower your payout or deny your claim altogether, you may feel like you have no other options for recovery. If you work with an attorney, they can effectively assist you in seeking an equitable settlement. In the event that negotiations are not successful, they can file a suit for the financial compensation you deserve, which is extremely difficult to do without the guidance and knowledge of a reputable lawyer.
They Can Calculate Your Damages
In addition to their injuries, most car accident victims experience additional stress due to the fact that the incident is costing them money, time, and mental energy. However, most vehicle accident victims do not realize exactly how much their damages are immediately following a car accident.
If you do not know the exact amount of your damages, you are going to leave money on the table. That is money that you are entitled to, and if it isn’t included in your settlement, you might end up paying for some of your losses out of your own pocket for a car accident that you did not cause.
This is another reason why you should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They can help you calculate a value for damages such as:
- Current and anticipated medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income due to missing work
- Diminished earning capacity if your injuries impacted your ability to perform your job duties and make a living
- Pain and suffering arising from mental trauma and a decreased quality of life
- In some cases, punitive damages if the other driver displayed gross negligence, like drinking and driving
A seasoned attorney can review the facts of your case and calculate the overall cost of your damages and be sure they are included in your insurance claim.
They Will Handle the Legal Aspects of Your Case
Successfully obtaining the financial compensation you deserve after a serious car accident involves a lot of hard work. For example, you will have to find and preserve evidence that:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- Their violation of that duty is what caused your accident
- The accident was the immediate cause of your injuries and other damages
- Your damages caused you financial losses
This takes a great deal of resources, energy, and time to prove negligence. Fortunately, an attorney who has prior experience in handling traffic accident cases will know the most efficient ways of finding proof of negligence as well as other relevant evidence that will help support your injury claim.
Most accident victims are unfamiliar with the personal injury process and have no idea where to begin or how to do what needs to be done, so this is the perfect time to speak with an attorney. They understand the intricacies of personal injury claims, such as how to gather vital evidence, draft a demand letter, and what to do when the insurance company attempts to pad its bottom line at your expense.
They Will Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Don’t be surprised when the insurance company offers you a settlement so low that it’s almost comical. When this happens, your car accident lawyer will be prepared to negotiate with them for a fair settlement amount that covers all of your damages. This is not something you want to try and handle on your own. For the best outcome to your settlement, you need a skilled negotiator who can prove your damages and why you deserve to be compensated for them.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you are wondering when is the best time to hire a car accident lawyer, the answer is invariably “as soon as possible.” At Local Accident Reports, we can get to work on your case right away with no obligation or risk to you. We never charge our clients any upfront costs, and we only collect payment if we win a full and fair settlement award for you.
If you were hurt in a serious car accident, contact the nationwide car accident lawyers at Local Accident Reports today. We have a well-earned track record of attaining successful case results for our clients. Call Local Accident Reports at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free case evaluation and discover what legal strategy our qualified lawyers recommend for your situation.
Joanne Holcomb is an established content writer who also retains nearly two decades of experience working as a dedicated paralegal. Through the years, Joanne has firmly planted her feet in the world of law before turning her talents to writing. Using her penchant for colorful linguistics and knowledge about the legal system, she has written for law firms all across the country. She also dedicates time to many of her favorite charities. When she’s not writing, you can find Joanne walking her two beautiful goldendoodles or enjoying the vibrant nightlife in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.