Every year 1.3 million people die from car accidents and approximately 25 million are injured or disabled permanently. Car accidents happen so often so it’s not enough to just drive safely. The truth is, there are a lot of people who are putting others at risk because they are driving too fast, they are distracted, or they are drunk.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, and have no idea who to call when you get injured, the best thing to do is speak with a lawyer. If you wait too long before consulting one, especially if the accident involved serious injuries or property damage, then you may lose out on your legal options.
How do you know when you need the help of an attorney after a car accident? Here are common situations where you need the help of a car accident attorney to help you navigate your way through insurance claims and settlements.
Pursuing a legal claim
Filing a claim with the insurance company or court involves multiple legal procedures that not everyone is equipped to handle. An experienced lawyer has substantial experience and knowledge of the laws surrounding car accidents. They know how to navigate the statute of limitations and the procedures in filing a lawsuit in court or pursuing a legal claim with the insurance company.
Having a seasoned car accident attorney at your side will also make insurance companies take you more seriously and be more amenable to settlement.
Providing evidence
Car accident cases need to secure and organize lots of evidence to illustrate who caused the accident and the amount of damages that you’re entitled to be compensated for. If you don’t have the time to provide these or are too injured to do so, a car accident lawyer will have the resources to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and pick out which ones will strongly back up your claim.
Negotiating an insurance settlement
When an insurance company offers you a sum to settle your claim, which will depend on whether you’re living in a fault-based or no-fault state, you need to call a lawyer immediately. You should not agree to settle and should not sign any agreements without consulting a lawyer first. A car accident lawyer will know how much you ought to be compensated, and an insurance company offering money first is a well-known tactic of saving some money.
The time-consuming work of negotiating an insurance settlement can be quickly taken care of by an attorney. They will organize the evidence to strengthen a settlement demand letter for the insurance company. If you’ve reached a deadlock in the settlement, then they can go ahead and file the required paperwork to start a court case.
Communicating with insurance companies
It can be challenging to understand the complex relationship between your auto insurance policies and health insurance policies. It’s even more cumbersome if you’ve sustained severe personal injuries in a car accident and necessary medical tests are denied or delayed by your insurance company.
Some victims may also not be aware of insurance carriers not paying for reimbursable medical and property expenses. As a victim, you can significantly benefit from getting a car accident attorney and asking which company pays for injuries or damages.
Avoiding legal missteps
When dealing with medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and other expenses, it’s important to remember that insurance companies are not on your side. However, car accident attorneys will advocate for your best interests until the end. It’s essential to have a professional lawyer guiding you throughout asking for compensation to avoid legal missteps that will affect your case.
Several issues can alter your compensation, which insurance companies will play upon, especially if you don’t have solid legal protection. A lawyer will consider all possible options and solutions to improve your claim and negotiating position and maximize your compensation.
Takeaway
There are no drawbacks to talking to a lawyer, especially if they offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. In a car accident, you’re up against the insurance company and not the at-fault driver. This puts you in a vulnerable position, which can be completely taken advantage of without the legal protection of a car accident attorney. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, your best bet in getting through it in one piece is calling for a lawyer immediately.
