A car accident can be devastating both physically and financially. It could leave you with injuries that could alter your life’s routine or worse, it could lead to fatal injuries. If you suffer severe injuries from a car accident that was not your fault, you have the right to institute a legal proceeding to recover damages from the liable party.
In such cases, you might need an excellent car accident law firm to help you get justice. Here are a few things you should know about car accident claims.
Establishing the Liable Party
There has to be a liable party for your car accident claim to be valid; their actions must have caused the accident. To prove a party is liable for causing the accident, the attorney will review their actions before the accident. Some of the actions may include drunk driving, running a red light, failing to yield, speeding, road rage, among others. The attorney will investigate and collect all the evidence to prove the other persona is liable for causing the accident.
The Damages You Can Recover
Your car accident attorney has to maximize the amount of money you can recover from a car accident claim. Damages vary depending on the injuries you sustain from the car accident, lost income (both present and future), medical bills, emotional trauma, loss of companionship, among others. Your attorney will look at your case’s facts and determine which damages you should seek to recover from the liable party.
Going to Court
Many people hope that they do not have to go to court, but, sometimes, you will have to go. The defendant’s insurance company may offer to settle the matter out of court; if the negotiations go well, you will not go to court. If the negotiations fail, then going to court is the best option for you. Sometimes, going to court will encourage the insurance company to offer a better settlement.
Legal Fees
People believe that hiring a car accident attorney is expensive, and after paying medical bills, they may not have money to hire an attorney. To mitigate this fear, attorneys will offer their services on a contingency basis. Many law firms use contingency as a way of obtaining legal fees. It is quite simple; the lawyer will deduct their fees from the amount you get as compensation. If you do not get paid, you do not have to pay your lawyers.
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
A car accident claim is not simple, it can look easy on the outside, but a few steps in, and things get complicated quickly. If you represent yourself, you can make some mistakes, and the defendant’s insurance company will use them to pay you the lowest amount possible.
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney is important as it reduces the chances of making a mistake, getting low offers from the insurance, and increases the chances of getting the maximum amount of benefits.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you should ensure you document each step as much as possible. Take pictures and videos of the scene. Get a copy of the traffic police report. When getting treatment for your injuries, keep all your medical records. Do not accept liability or discuss anything with the other party; they might record and use your words against you.
Find a Car Accident Attorney
A car accident is an unforeseen event that has severe consequences on your life or someone close to you. If someone else is responsible for causing the accident, they have to pay you damages for the injuries sustained. Contact a car accident attorney to get advice and legal representation in your accident claim.