After a car accident, you may find yourself struggling to cope with physical injuries, lost income, and property damage. It's important to hire an experienced car accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies often try to push injured victims into settling their claims for less than what they truly deserve, but this isn't always the case. A good lawyer will fight back and negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you receive an adequate settlement.
Gathering Evidence
In order to prove liability and recover compensation for damages, you need a thorough understanding of the laws that govern car accident cases. You also need to know how to gather evidence in order to support your claim.
In addition to the official documents from the police or the DMV, you should get statements from witnesses who saw the crash. These statements can corroborate your account of the accident or contradict the other driver's version of events.
Then, take pictures of the scene using your smartphone's camera, including damaged vehicles, debris, and any roadway hazards. This will help a lawyer determine whether the accident was caused by road defects or other issues.
You should also get copies of all your medical bills and records from the doctor treating your injuries. This will provide valuable evidence of your past, present, and future monetary losses (called "damages").
Preparing Your Case
When you hire a car accident lawyer, he or she will prepare your case to support your claim. This involves gathering evidence from the accident scene, obtaining copies of all the documents that relate to your case and preparing your testimony for court.
Once your car accident attorney has gathered all of the relevant evidence, he or she will assess the impact the crash had on you. This will help them determine how much compensation you could be entitled to for your pain and suffering, medical bills and other losses.
Getting the compensation you deserve can make all the difference in your recovery after an accident. In addition to economic damages such as your medical expenses and property damage, you may also receive payments for your non-economic losses such as emotional distress or loss of enjoyment in life.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
The most crucial step in a car accident claim is negotiating with the insurance company. This is a process that often takes time and requires a great deal of skill.
Before a negotiation begins, it is important to have an idea of how much you believe your claim is worth. This will help you determine what you should demand in your settlement letter.
Once you have this figure, you can then send a demand letter to the insurance company detailing your entire experience of the accident, the damages you have suffered, and how much money you would like as compensation for your losses.
The insurance adjuster may make an initial offer that is far below what you’ve calculated, and you’ll need to start negotiating with them in order to receive fair compensation. If you’re unsure about how to approach this, consider hiring a personal injury attorney who has extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and will be an advocate for your best interests throughout the negotiations.
Filing Your Claim
If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a car accident caused by someone else, it’s important to get the compensation you deserve. Your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages can add up quickly if you are unable to work or take care of your family.
When you file your claim, it’s crucial to have a professional represent you and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Without this, the insurance company may use trick questions and scare tactics to get you to settle your claim for less than you deserve.
A car accident lawyer will know how much your injuries and pain and suffering are worth and will stop at nothing to get you the compensation you need to recover from your accident. They will prepare thorough documentation of all your expenses related to the crash and any medical treatment you received to help your case.