What Does A Car Accident Attorney Do?
What Does A Car Accident Attorney Do?
The stress that comes with the aftermath of a car accident can be overbearing. You probably have a million questions going through your mind about the legal process and how everything works. And for this reason (and many more), you need an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal procedures.
In this article, we will fill you in on the specific tasks that a car accident attorney will perform. Along with providing you with the peace of mind in knowing that you have a legal expert on your side, there are various responsibilities of a lawyer that many people may not know about.
What It Takes To Win A Case
Let’s talk about some of the things that a lawyer will do for you after a car accident. For starters, a lawyer will provide knowledge of the law and procedural rules. Utilizing this combination of expertise and experience is will ensure that you are in position to win your case.
Maybe one of the most important things a lawyer can do is handle communications with these aggressive insurance companies. When you are going up against a big insurance company with vast resources, you need an experienced lawyer who knows how to deal with them. These insurance companies have been known to do whatever it takes to avoid a payout. Your lawyer is there to level the playing field so that you come away with the compensation that fits your situation.
Here’s a quick list of some of the legwork we your lawyer will complete for you:
- Deal with insurance companies. We mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. There is a lot of back-and-forth with insurance companies after a car accident. This is a difficult task when these insurance companies are trying to avoid paying a settlement. Let your lawyer handle this.
- Obtain evidence. This includes talking to witnesses, gathering and analyzing police reports, gathering medical records and evaluating lost wages (if necessary). These pieces of evidence are so vital to the success of your claim. Your lawyer will ensure to leave no stone unturned during this part of the process.
- Prepare a settlement demand letter. This is a very important document that lays out all of the facts in a way that will lead to injury settlement negotiations.
File the proper paperwork to go to court. Even though going to court is rare, it’s nice to know that you will be in good hands with your lawyer if need be. Your lawyer will deal with the defense attorneys and build your case based on the facts that were gathered.
How can a car accident attorney help with insurance companies?
Your car accident lawyer will also help you pressure the insurance provider into getting you your deserved compensation. Insurance companies are notoriously stubborn when it comes to reaching fair settlements. As a result, they can come up with some pretty believable statements in an attempt to make you think you don’t deserve compensation.
Your car accident attorney will help you make the insurance company pay you what you deserve. Auto accident lawyers can cover a wide variety of issues, including wrongful death, property destruction, personal injury, and liability determinations.
What Should I Be Looking for in an Accident Attorney?
When you’re looking for a car accident attorney, there is a plethora of things you need to focus on. The lawyer’s fee structure, customer satisfaction, experience, and skill level are all critical components in finding a lawyer who is a good fit for you.
Your car accident lawyer should be knowledgeable about national and state transportation laws. They must be able to prepare and settle a case efficiently. A skilled attorney has the will power to handle greedy health care and insurance companies.
You should also carefully research the lawyer’s track record, references, and background. A good attorney usually works on a contingency fee. This means they don’t get paid unless you do.
When Should I Get an Accident Lawyer?
It is best to hire the auto accident attorney sooner rather than later. That way, you’ll be able to avoid any costly mistakes that might result if you tried to handle your case on your home. There are specific deadlines for filing any personal injuries vary from state to state. Because you’ll have to cover your lost wages or medical bills, the sooner you are able to gain the assistance of a lawyer the better. It is best to contact the lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. You shouldn’t wait any longer than a week or two before contacting the attorney, and you should speak with the lawyer before reaching any sort of settlement with the insurance company.
There are numerous ways in which you can find a high-class car accident lawyer. Researching online or getting referrals from family and friends is a great place to start. However, attorney referral services vary, and unless you have a virtually unlimited timetable, you may want to locate an auto accident lawyer in your area using a top-notch lawyer directory.
How Does The Car Accident Settlement Process Work?
When you are injured in a car wreck caused by another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. This compensation can cover your medical bill expenses, wages you were unable to earn due to being out of work during your recovery and your pain and suffering. How does the car accident settlement process work?
This process involves more than simply submitting a claim to the negligent driver’s auto insurance provider and receiving a check to cover your losses. It can – and often does – involve a lengthy investigation of your accident and negotiation between your attorney and the insurance company. If you cannot reach a car accident insurance settlement through negotiation, a lawsuit and an appearance in court may be required as well.
Your claim could be resolved fairly quickly, or it could become a long, drawn-out process that requires substantial court involvement. By working with an experienced Memphis car accident attorney, you can give your claim a better chance of resulting in a favorable settlement for you and your family.
The following are steps that go into the settlement process:
CAR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
After you file your personal injury claim with the negligent driver’s insurance provider, the insurance company conducts an investigation of the accident. This is done by an insurance claims adjuster.
The investigation involves a review of every piece of evidence that you provide to prove your claim’s validity. When certain pieces of evidence are not available such as photographs of your car, the insurance adjuster might take them.
Pieces of evidence that the insurance adjuster reviews during the investigation of your claim include:
- The official police report for the accident
- Photographs of the accident scene, your car and the other driver’s car
- Statements from witnesses to the accident
- Your medical records if you have signed a release
- The other driver’s testimony
- The area where the accident occurred.
Other pieces of evidence that may be considered when investigating your claim include evidence of your financial damages and content on your social media accounts.
CAR ACCIDENT CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS
Experts can provide critical insight to your accident and subsequent damages. This insight can be used to underscore your personal injury claim. Experts whose opinions might be considered during your claim’s settlement process include:
Your doctor – The physician can discuss your injuries, treatment and prognosis.
An accident reconstruction specialist – This expert can create a digital rendering of your accident, showing how the factors at play led to it.
A civil or mechanical engineer – These individuals may be called on when one of the factors at play was a vehicle malfunction or a geographical feature such as a partially complete road construction project.
REVIEWING INSURANCE POLICIES (THE AT-FAULT DRIVER’S AND YOUR OWN POLICY)
Tennessee is a “fault” state for car accidents. This means that when you are injured in a crash, you must seek compensation for your damages through the other party’s liability insurance provider. However, he or she may not have insurance or may have insurance that fails to cover all of your damages. As a result, you may be required to go through your own provider to make up the difference between his or her coverage and your financial needs.
NEGOTIATING A CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Even if you file a lawsuit, it is possible to settle your claim out of court. Settlements are negotiated between an attorney and an insurance provider. In fact, some insurance providers will only speak with attorneys, which is why it is important that you work with an attorney who has experience negotiating this type of claim on behalf of his or her clients.
GOING TO COURT
Your lawyer can determine if going to court is the right choice for you and your case, and if so, the lawyer will walk you through the next steps involved in your case. The lawyer can explain what to expect during your trial.
In brief, both parties appear in court and present their claims to the jury. After both sides examine witnesses and present evidence, the jury will reach a verdict. The judge will read this verdict to the involved parties, who both have the option to appeal the judgment entered in the case.
Remember, settlement discussions can continue even if you file a lawsuit. They can even continue after the jury reaches a verdict for your case. Settling a claim out of court is often less expensive and less stressful for all parties involved, but sometimes, it is impossible.