what to do when your in a car accident and the other person gets a lawyer

by Simone Blick 10 min read

A car accident lawyer can help such a person prepare and provide all the necessary reports and form submissions. If the insurance is unwilling to settle the claim, the lawyer can help the affected person with their petition for benefits. If there’s any hearing, the attorney will represent the plaintiff and assist them in obtaining settlement.

Full Answer

When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

  • FLORIDA. Retaining a competent and experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible is vital if you are injured in a wreck.
  • ALABAMA. When do you need to hire an auto accident lawyer? ...
  • ARIZONA. ...
  • CALIFORNIA. ...
  • GEORGIA. ...
  • ILLINOIS. ...
  • INDIANA. ...
  • LOUISIANA. ...
  • MASSACHUSETTS. ...
  • NORTH DAKOTA. ...

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When to get an attorney for a car accident?

The following are only some ways an attorney can assist you:

  • Communicating with the insurance companies of the liable parties
  • Obtaining evidence of liability and damages
  • Negotiating for the settlement you need and deserve
  • Negotiating with lien holders
  • Determining when it’s time to file a personal injury lawsuit
  • Handling the litigation process to reach a settlement agreement

How to find the right car accident attorney for You?

Tips on Working with Your Lawyer

  1. First, the lawyer should have a great reputation. Research reviews of lawyers by other clients to see how many other people have had success with him or her.
  2. If you are the one filing the lawsuit, find a lawyer with the experience and knowledge to handle your case. ...
  3. Ask the lawyer for a summary of his or her practice in these types of cases. ...

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Do I need an attorney for a car accident?

You are not required to hire an attorney after a car accident. In most cases, in fact, it is unnecessary. Start by filing an insurance claim and proceed from there. If you are offered a settlement that you feel is unjustly low, you should hire a lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.

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Bradford Charles Brereton

Report it to your insurance company asap, and do not respond to the other side at all. Let your own insurance company handle it, it is by the far the best approach, and it allows you peace of mind.

Arnold William Gross

This is why you have automobile insurance. Let your insurance company handle it on your behalf. If the lady files a lawsuit, your insurance will hire attorneys to represent and defend you. Keep all of your notes and emails for use by your insurance company and attorneys.

Andrew Y. Kim

You should just let your insurance handle the claim. No need to hire an attorney. One will be assigned to you of the other party and your insurance cannot reach a settlement and if a lawsuit is filed against you.

Rafael Carrillo

Do not disclose your policy limits yet. It sounds like this was a very minor accident and even the minimum insurance policy in California should be enough to cover this accident. Just let your insurance company handle this for you. If they file a lawsuit against you, your insurance company would hire a lawyer to defend you.

Brian Anthony Carness

One of the things that most people don't know is that your automobile insurance policy requires your insurance company to defend you against any claims arising from a covered automobile collision. You do not usually need to hire your own attorney. Send the documents to your insurance company.

Jeffrey Shawn Hughes

The simple way to handle this is to let your insurance company handle it. If they cannot get the claim resolved, and a lawsuit is filed, your insurance carrier will provide you with an attorney. Sounds like this will be resolved well before it gets to that point. Regards, Jeffrey Hughes

Richard Andrew Crites

You should immediately contact your insurance company and let it handle this claim. Refer the opposing attorney to your insurance company and follow its instructions. This will be the safest way to ensure that you are defended and indemnified by it.

Why is it important to hire an attorney for a car accident?

It is important to employ an attorney car accident to get the claims process moving as soon as possible because of possible circumstances such as statutes of limitations (which may vary by state), but you don’t want to employ the first attorney car accident for whom you see a road billboard.

How much does a car accident lawyer make?

A median car accident attorney salary is estimated at $120,910 annually by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top-end lawyers receive up to $208,000 annually, but there are a number of variables that go into the annual sum calculation.

How much will the car accident lawyer industry grow?

For a car accident lawyer, the expected growth is estimated to be close to 8 percent over the next 10 years.

What are the most common injuries in a car crash?

Some of the most significant car crash injuries are head and brain injuries . Depending on the form and amount of force impacting the head during the accident, brain injuries vary from moderate to extreme.

How long does it take to become a car accident lawyer?

To become a car accident lawyer, there is a step-by-step education process. When done on a full-time basis, this process usually takes 7-8 years. Before the car accident lawyer can start working, here is a peek at what a car accident lawyer will need to complete the following steps:

What happens if an insurance company denies the blame of the policyholder for the car crash?

If an insurance firm denies the blame of the policyholder for the car crash, the company effectively states that the policyholder is not at fault or argues that you do not have adequate evidence.

How long does a personal injury last?

Generally speaking, one that lasts for only a year or less is a long-term injury , and one that disables you for life is a lifelong injury. These kinds of personal injuries, not to mention the quality of your life, have a significant effect on your ability to become and remain working.

What to do if you are in a car accident?

If you’re involved in a car accident, the first thing to do is step back, catch your breath and make sure you and your passengers haven’t been injured. Soft tissue injuries are a concern even in a bumper-bump, and injuries raise the stakes for an insurance claim.

What happens if someone crashes into you?

If someone else crashes into you, in the simplest scenario you’ll make a claim against their liability insurance. This is called a third-party claim: You’re the third party to the other driver and their insurance company. The other person’s insurer will process the claim, but don’t count on a quick payment. The insurer might want ...

What is liability insurance?

Liability insurance pays for a victim’s claims for damages such as medical expenses, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. Almost every state requires minimal liability coverage, but amounts vary. California, for example, requires only $15,000 in injury coverage for one person in an accident.

How many car accidents are reported by police every year?

There are about 6 million crashes reported by police every year in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About three million people are injured or killed in these car accidents, so there are a huge number of lawsuits and insurance claims every year.

What is the most valuable tool after a car accident?

But the most valuable tool after a car accident is your cell phone. Take pictures of the damage to your car and the other vehicles involved, license plates, road conditions like ice, rain or snow, and any other contributing factors such as nearby intersections and road signs.

How to stop road rage?

Try to minimize road rage (yours and theirs) in the inevitable exchange of driver information. Pull your car over to a safe spot if possible. Don’t stand on a crowded or high-speed road unless you have to. And if possible, stay inside the car, dial 911 and wait for the police.

How long does it take to get a subpoena for an accident?

Filing fees are usually reasonable, and the wait time for a hearing is generally about a month or two. You also have the right to subpoena witnesses, including the other driver, the insurer’s claims adjuster, and anyone else who may have been involved with the accident.

The other driver took responsibility after the crash. Is that good enough?

No, whatever is said at the crash scene can be referenced later in court, but it becomes a he-said-she-said situation. Hopefully, the other driver will stand by what was said immediately after the wreck, but you cannot count on this. The other driver could have a change of heart once the insurance company becomes involved.

Will the Kentucky State Police decide who is to blame for the crash?

After you have been in a wreck, you need to call the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and file an accident report. The report is mostly for informational purposes and will be used to identify both drivers, the make and model of the vehicles, driver contact information, and the basics about where the accident took place.

What can I do to prove the other driver is to blame for the crash?

It is best to gather as much information as you can immediately after the accident. While there, for example, you can pull out your phone and start taking pictures of the area, both vehicles, the damage debris, and so on. Even after the fact, you can take some of these pictures.

Do I have to sue the other driver immediately?

No, but you do have to file a lawsuit within one year of the accident. This can go by quickly, especially if you are undergoing significant medical treatment, so hiring an attorney right away is wise.

What do plaintiffs want in a car accident?

Plaintiffs Want Payment Quickly. The plaintiff in a car accident suit wants to get their payment as quickly as possible. After all, money now is worth more than money later. Additionally, plaintiffs probably have expenses. These include medical bills and lost wages.

What happens if you give evidence to your insurance company?

They will give your insurance company all the evidence they have that their client sustained an injury and that your negligence and recklessness caused it. From there, your insurance company and the plaintiff’s attorneys will begin negotiations. If your insurance company believes the evidence is compelling, they will probably want to settle early.

Why is it better to settle a case or settle?

It is always better to settle because when an insurance company agrees to an amount, they will pay it out quickly. If you receive a judgment in court, there is no guarantee of collection.

Why do insurance companies settle early?

If your insurance company believes the evidence is compelling, they will probably want to settle early. This is because if your case goes to trial, a judge will probably award a massive verdict to the plaintiff. If the evidence is weak or uncertain, your insurance company might return with a lower number.

What happens if you can't agree on a number?

This will continue until the number satisfies both parties. If the two cannot reach an agreement, the case will go to trial. Here’s where things can get sticky for one party or another. In a trial, a judge will decide the amount and also who gets it.

Can you settle a car accident case?

Your insurance company and the plaintiff’s attorneys will present their evidence. Once the judge makes a decision, you can’t negotiate it or belatedly accept an earlier offer. So when you’re being sued in a car accident, settling is usually better all around.

Can an insurance company avoid a trial?

This applies most to an insurance company, but the plaintiff’s attorney will probably want to avoid a trial as well . Anything can happen in a trial. To avoid an unexpected result and to reduce their own risks, both plaintiffs and defendants will look to settle a lawsuit.

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What Is A Third-Party Claim?

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Here are some tips to ensure you maintain your cool — and your sanity — when making a claim with someone else’s auto insurance company, known as a third-party claim. (Making a claim with your own insurer is a first-party claim). Typically, you file a third-party claim when you are involved in an accident in a “no-fault” stat…
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How to File Third-Party Insurance Claims?

  • A third-party claim is a claim you file with the insurance of another motorist. You are referred to as the third party because you are making a claim against an insurer for which you may or may not have coverage (but the at-fault driver does). Below are the steps you can follow to file a third-party insurance claim.
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How Does A Third-Party Insurance Claim Work?

  • The third-party insurance claim sometimes referred to as a liability claim, uses the at-fault driver’s liability coverage to cover damages and injuries. The third-party insurance claims can be made for medical bills, vehicle repairs, a rental car, and lost wages if you miss work due to the injuries caused. All these claims depend on two factors – the state where you are and the other person’…
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