In the wake of an accident, you might be struggling with medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. Getting fair compensation for these losses can be difficult without the help of an experienced attorney.
Insurance companies are skilled at undermining claims and minimizing the severity of injury to avoid paying full and fair compensation. An accident lawyer can fight back against these efforts to minimize your damages.
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1. They Can Help You Collect Evidence
A successful car accident claim requires a significant amount of evidence. Your attorney will need to gather medical records, police reports, witness statements, photographs, and more.
They also need to collect documentation of how your injuries have affected your current and future finances, including medical treatment costs, lost wages, and loss of earning potential.
Your attorney will need to secure experts in the field of accident reconstruction, injury science, and medical malpractice.
These experts can help build a strong case by explaining how your injuries are linked to the accident. Their testimony can help prove that the defendant was at fault for the crash, and you deserve compensation for your losses.
2. They Can Help You Negotiate With the Insurance Company
If you are not familiar with the laws governing car accident claims, it can be difficult to negotiate with insurance companies without a lawyer. This is especially true if your injuries are significant.
The first offer the insurance company will make is usually very low. They want you to agree to it quickly so that they can avoid a lawsuit.
However, you can reject the offer and negotiate for a higher amount with the help of your attorney.
Explain why the offer is too low and request a specific explanation. This will establish credibility with the insurance adjuster and let them know that you are serious about your claim.
Before starting negotiations, calculate the lowest amount you would be willing to settle for. This will keep you focused on the task at hand and will help you stay away from giving in to pressure.
3. They Can Help You File a Lawsuit
In addition to ensuring that you get fair compensation from the insurance company, an accident lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. This will allow you to collect both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party.
Economic damages are based on your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses that you have sustained as a result of the accident. You can also receive non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Your attorney will work to prove that the other driver acted negligently or recklessly, and their actions caused you injuries. This requires gathering evidence such as police reports, eyewitnesses, and medical records.
Once your case is prepared, it can be submitted to the court for trial. At trial, a jury will consider your injury claim and determine how much you should be awarded in compensation.
4. They Can Help You Receive a Settlement
Every case is different, but a good accident lawyer can estimate your compensation based on the losses you’ve suffered. These include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
They also look at your future costs. If you suffer from a permanent injury, you may need long-term care services. This can add up, and insurance companies often deny coverage for these expenses.
A settlement should cover your current and future medical bills, as well as any other related expenses. It should also include the value of any property that was damaged in the accident.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might be entitled to punitive damages. These can be worth even more than the settlement you receive, and they can help punish the negligent party for their actions.
