If you have been in a car accident that was not your fault, hiring a car accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries, vehicle damage, lost wages, and other costs. But how will hiring a lawyer help your car accident case? Here is an overview of the key services an experienced car accident lawyer provides.
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Investigating How the Crash Happened
There are many different causes of car accidents, with drunk driving one of the most common. 35% of all accidents occur due to impaired driving, meaning there is a strong possibility the other driver is at fault. One of the first things your attorney will do is conduct a thorough investigation into how and why the collision occurred. They will review the police report, visit the accident scene, take photos and measurements, interview witnesses, and gather other evidence. Reconstructing the crash helps establish fault and identify all liable parties. They may find that speeding was a factor since this is the cause of 45% of all collisions in the US.
Assessing All Available Compensation
An experienced car accident attorney will value not just your vehicle repairs but all financial impacts of the crash. This includes funds to cover medical expenses, missed wages if injuries prevented you from working, damage to personal property, and pain and suffering damages. The average settlement amount, for reference, is around $25,000. As skillful negotiators, lawyers will fight for full and fair compensation.
Handling Communication with Insurance Companies
In injury claims, most negotiations happen between lawyers, not accident victims and insurers directly. Your attorney fields inquiries from insurance adjusters, documents evidence for your claim, demonstrates how much you are owed under the law, and uses negotiation tactics to reach a satisfactory settlement or court award. The whole process can take between 10 and 20 months, meaning your lawyer needs to be willing to see it through.
Filing Documents and Papers
There is a lot of paperwork involved in motor vehicle incident claims and lawsuits. Hiring a car accident attorney lifts this administrative burden so you can focus on treatment and recovery. Attorneys adeptly handle documents like demand letters, claim forms, litigation papers, motions, settlement agreements, and releases.
Going to Trial if Necessary
While many accident lawsuits settle out of court, some claims do end up going to trial. Seasoned trial lawyers have courtroom experience and the litigation skills to advocate for clients seeking compensation after a crash. An attorney can effectively argue your case at trial if a fair settlement is not reached beforehand. Around 3-4% of all claims will end up going to trial.
The legal and claims process after a motor vehicle collision can be complex, especially if injuries and vehicle damage were extensive. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer protects your rights and financial interests. Attorneys act as advisors, claim managers, negotiators, and legal advocates helping you recover complete and fair compensation.
With an attorney on your side, you can focus on what matters most – healing and getting your life back together after an unfortunate accident.
