What Can a Lawyer Do for Me After a Car Accident?

June 24, 2024 | By Polito & Harrington LLC
What Can a Lawyer Do for Me After a Car Accident?

An attorney can offer you tremendous support after a car crash. A car accident can bring physical pain, financial strain, and emotional hardship. An attorney will help you get your life back on track in many ways.

Getting the compensation you deserve for your accident-related losses can be an uphill battle, even if someone else was clearly to blame for your crash. Trust a car accident attorney to help you navigate the often complex financial recovery process.

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Why Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?

Car accidents are far too common nationwide. Thousands of people suffer from serious injuries or lose their lives in a car crash every year.

Surviving victims can have a long road ahead of them that is littered with challenges, including massive medical bills and lost income. Having an attorney can improve the outcome of your legal claim after an accident.

A car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights after a crash. A legal team makes finding and holding the responsible parties accountable easier. Finding the right lawyer can mean the difference between getting the outcome you deserve after a crash and losing out on a complete recovery.

Question to be asked with attorney after accident

If you decide to pursue compensation after a car accident, you will certainly have many questions. You need a reliable source to gather information. An experienced attorney has the knowledge to answer these questions so you are well-informed throughout the case.

A car accident lawyer will help you avoid mistakes that unrepresented claimants often make without access to legal information.

Investigate and Gather Evidence

You must have evidence to prove your car accident case. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the accident and collect evidence to support your compensation claim.

A car accident lawyer will present evidence that proves who is at fault for the crash and how much compensation you deserve for your losses, among other aspects of your claim.

Calculate Your Case’s Value

One of the first questions accident victims have is the value of their claim. Understanding how much your case is worth can require a lawyer, and many people underestimate their losses.

An attorney can evaluate your case and determine its potential value so you do not get short-changed during settlement negotiations with intimidating insurance companies.

A range of factors can influence the final monetary value of your accident claim.

Factors that affect the value of car accident settlements can include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Lost income and lost earning capacity
  • Mental and emotional harm
  • Repair costs

Explain Available Insurance Coverage

Insurance policies can be complex and challenging to understand. Having an attorney review the terms of relevant policies can help reassure you that there is enough coverage to pay for your losses.

If at-fault parties do not have enough coverage, your attorney can help you explore alternative options to get the compensation you need, such as filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim.

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Negotiating Claim with Insurance Company

Many car accident claims are resolved during the negotiation phase with the insurance company. While it can be tempting to quickly settle with an insurance company and get back to life as usual, hiring an attorney before accepting anything is always best.

Insurance adjusters often use underhanded tactics to avoid paying fair settlements. An attorney can recognize and avoid those tactics to get you what you deserve after a crash.

Negotiate With Lienholders

Depending on the cause of the accident, you might receive medical treatment benefits from different sources, such as workers’ compensation, disability, or your health insurance provider. Any entity that paid for your care might have a lien against your final settlement.

Since lienholders get paid before you do, having a lien can quickly deplete any settlement or judgment you receive. An attorney can help negotiate with the lienholder for a reduced amount, which means more money in your pocket.

Fight in Court

When negotiations fail, car accident victims can resolve their case in court. Most people’s experience inside a courtroom is limited to what they see on television, so advocating for yourself can feel overwhelming.

Your car accident attorney can help you file a lawsuit, ensure that you comply with procedural rules, complete discovery, and argue your case before a judge or jury.

How Can I Find the Right Car Accident Lawyer?

Finding the best attorney is critical to your success after an accident.

During your search for the right legal team, you should ask yourself important questions like:

  • What are my goals for the outcome of my case?
  • How does each lawyer I speak to make me feel?
  • What kind of communication is important to me regarding my lawyer?
Car Accident Attorney

Knowing the answers to these questions can help you choose your legal team. Evaluating the lawyer you choose to represent your cause is crucial before you hire them.

Feel free to ask about the lawyer’s experience with cases like yours. Be specific about your injuries and the losses you have suffered due to the accident so they can assess your situation.

A terrific way to start is with an internet search.

As you start looking for representation, finding the following kinds of information can help you make the best choice for a car accident lawyer:

  • What do past clients think? Reading the attorney’s online reviews can help you get a good idea of the quality the lawyer provides in car accident cases and client satisfaction.
  • What is the attorney’s reputation among their peers? Learning more about the organizations or memberships the lawyer belongs to might be an excellent way to gauge their professional reputation. A lawyer with a good reputation can benefit your case overall.
  • Where is the lawyer located? Proximity and other practical factors are important considerations before hiring an attorney.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Getting a lawyer takes the weight off your shoulders. Legal representation allows you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery while your lawyer manages the financial and legal side of things. Working as a team means you get your life back sooner. Contact a personal injury attorney after a car accident.