what type of lawyer if in car accident

by Aryanna Leuschke 4 min read

  • Car Accident Lawyers. Every year, 3 million people are injured in car accidents on U.S. roads. This makes car accidents one of the most common types of personal injury.
  • DWI Lawyers. Hiring a DWI lawyer is different than hiring an auto accident lawyer. ...
  • Work Accident Lawyers. You work hard at your job. You clock in, do your work, and expect to work in an environment that’s safe and secure.
  • Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers. Accidents happen every single day. People can accidentally slip and injure themselves at home, but if it happens at a business establishment, those injured may ...
  • Personal Injury Lawyers. A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who helps those who claim to be injured due to negligence from another entity.
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyers. Medical malpractice lawsuits occur when someone sues over negligence while in the care of medical professionals.
  • Birth Injury Lawyers. Birth injury lawyers are lawyers who specialize in helping families get compensation after a birth injury occurs.
  • Aviation Accident Lawyers. Another key thing to know about how accident lawyers work is that you’ll want to look into different lawyers for different accidents.
  • Fire Accident Lawyers. If you were burned or injured in a fire, you can hire a lawyer to defend your case in court. ...
  • Wrongful Death Lawyers. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can take an emotional toll on the person seeking legal action. ...

personal injury lawyer

Full Answer

When to hire a lawyer for a car accident?

  • Funeral expenses: Based on the kind of burial or services you prefer; funeral costs can cost you thousands of dollars.
  • Medical expenses: The cost of hospitalization, surgeries and medicines can be mind-boggling.
  • Loss of companionship: Losing a loved one to a car accident can wreak havoc to your personal life. ...

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How much does a lawyer charge for a car accident?

The industry standard for car accident attorney rates is about a third of the final compensation. Therefore, if you win $300,000 in compensation, your attorney fees will be about $100,000. On the other hand, if you only win $10,000, you will only pay the lawyer $3,333.

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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Is it worth getting a lawyer for a car accident?

Your car accident lawyer won’t be one of them. A plaintiff’s attorney in a car accident matter represents a client on a contingency fee basis. This means your attorney will receive a percentage of your recovery based on the timing of when it happens during the case. This means that your lawyer won’t get paid unless you receive compensation.

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Is it worth hiring a car accident lawyer?

Yes, hiring a car accident lawyer is definitely worth it, even if you’re not at fault. The lawyer can help you get a better settlement and protect...

Should I get a lawyer for an accident that was my fault?

It’s advisable to get a lawyer for an accident that you caused. Although you won’t be able to receive compensation in case you have sustained an in...

Is it illegal not to report an accident?

In some cases, it is illegal not to report a car accident. In California, for example, if the outcome of the accident is injury or death, you’re ob...

Can a car accident lawyer help with a whiplash claim?

Given that whiplash is difficult to prove, getting a car accident lawyer can help your case. They can advise you on what actions to take and what e...

How Do You Prove Fault in a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?

To prove another driver is to blame for a motor vehicle accident, the plaintiff must prove to the satisfaction of a court that:

Do I Need a Lawyer in a No-Fault Accident Case?

If there are no injuries or they are minor, you may think you don’t need a lawyer in a no-fault accident case. It’s a common misconception that all you have to do is file a claim with your auto insurance company. Then under Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws, medical bills and attendant allowance are paid out.

What Happens if There is Property Damage?

If there was some damage to the other driver’s car, they may pursue the at-fault driver through Michigan mini-tort. This is a fairly inexpensive way of settling small disputes. MCL 500.3135 (3) (c) (e) provides that damages to motor vehicles may be recovered up to a limit of $3,000.

What Do I Do if the Other Driver Files a Lawsuit for Non-Economic Loss?

Under the no-fault insurance law, the accident victim gives up their right to sue the at-fault-driver in return for insurance benefits decided upon by the state. However, the accident victim may be able to sue you for non-economic damages if they have suffered serious injuries in certain circumstances.

Can the Other Driver Claim Economic Losses from Me?

In certain circumstances, the other driver may sue the at-fault driver for excess economic loss compensation. This compensation would cover past, present, and future expenses not covered by PIP benefits through the no-fault insurance law.

Consult a Car Accident Lawyer if You Are At-Fault

Michigan’s law surrounding car accidents is complex and has many factual and procedural traps for the unwary. You should seek legal advice as soon after the accident as possible so that a lawyer well-versed in this practice area can help protect your rights.

What is a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who helps those who claim to be injured due to negligence from another entity. These injuries can be physical or psychological, and this type of lawsuit can be filed against people, companies, or government agencies.

What is medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice lawsuits occur when someone sues over negligence while in the care of medical professionals. These medical professionals include doctors, nurses, dentists, and therapists. If you or someone you love is under a medical professional’s care and something happens due to negligence or misconduct, there are legal avenues you can take to get compensation and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Can you get injured at work?

However, accidents happen — even at work. If you are injured at work, you can choose to consult accident injury lawyers that can help you through proceedings.

Can a wrongful death lawsuit be filed on behalf of someone who passed away?

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can take an emotional toll on the person seeking legal action. They’re likely filing the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who passed away, and they may have passed away as a result of someone else’s actions . If you plan on filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you’ll want to work with a law firm that employs wrongful death lawyers.

Is the choice of a lawyer an important decision?

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Do you need a lawyer for an accident?

So, you’ve been in an accident and need a lawyer. These situations happen from time to time, but it’s important to know that lawyers can take on more than just car accidents. There are lawyers out there that can work on accident-specific cases, such as medical malpractice and workers comp.

Why is it important to have a lawyer for a car accident?

It is critical to obtain all documentation related to your injuries, but it isn't always easy to get your hands on those records and bills from health care providers.

How to file a car accident claim?

While much depends on the specifics and the complexity of your car accident case, in general a lawyer can: 1 communicate with the other driver's insurer 2 obtain the necessary evidence with respect to fault for the accident 3 organize your medical records and bills 4 communicate with your health care providers to obtain missing records 5 work with your doctors to make sure they provide the medical information you need so that you can prove damages in your claim 6 organize and present the evidence in order to prove liability and damages 7 negotiate with lien holders on your claim (such as health, disability, or workers' compensation insurers) to potentially reduce the amount of those liens, and 8 negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the insurance adjuster or defense attorney.

How does a lawyer work with a lien holder?

A good lawyer will work with the lien holder to try to get the lien holder to reduce its lien. This is important work. Every dollar less that the lien holder takes is one more dollar that goes into your pocket. Learn more about health care provider liens on personal injury settlements.

What is the role of an insurance adjuster in a personal injury case?

In any personal injury case, your lawyer will open up a line of communication with the insurance adjuster for the other party (or parties) involved. The adjuster has the pocketbook, and so it is critical for a plaintiff's lawyer to have good communications and a good relationship with the adjuster.

Which is better, a personal injury lawyer or a layperson?

A personal injury lawyer is always going to be far better at settling a car accident case than a layperson would be. A good lawyer knows how much the case is worth and knows how to work the case and conduct the negotiations in order to arrive at the best outcome for the client.

Can a doctor send medical records to a lawyer?

Although the records are technically yours, and you have an absolute right to them, sending medical records to patients and lawyers is just not a health care provider's first priority. Small doctors' offices may not have the staffing or the time to respond to medical record requests on a timely basis.

Case Investigation and Discovery

The best car accident lawyer will begin by gathering as much information about the case as possible. The attorney may hire expert witnesses and use all the evidence available to determine the fault and show the nature and extent of injuries suffered by the client.

Discusses Claims With Insurance

When there is an accident, the auto insurance of the person and that of the other party will want to get information from the victim. Workers’ compensation insurance may also join in case of on-job injury.

Helps People to Understand Their Rights

Many drivers and road users aren’t conversant with personal injury laws regarding auto accidents. Therefore, it’s understandable when such individuals don’t know their rights. Furthermore, those who aren’t at fault aren’t supposed to pay for the resulting damages.

Represents People Throughout Work Compensation Process

Sometimes a car accident case may involve a workers compensation claim. 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.

Researches Product Defects

When a defective product is established as the possible cause of the accident, a lawyer will research similar incidents to put a strong case. In addition, the lawyer for a car accident will search for more information about the defective product on consumer and government websites and previous lawsuits.

Assesses the Extent of the Damage

After an accident, the affected person may be quick to notice immediate costs, but it’s only an experienced car accident injury lawyer who will help in looking at all the possible ways the accident will affect the victim.

Arranges for Non-Destructive Testing

When a defective product is responsible for an accident, the injured person should collect it before the manufacturer or insurance company. If such a product gets to the hands of the defendants’ team first, they may conduct destructive testing, thereby destroying it and making it harder for the plaintiffs to proceed with the case.

What happens if another driver is at fault for an accident?

If another driver is found to be at-fault for the accident, that driver's insurance may pay the costs. If you are responsible, your insurance may pay if your policy covers such expenses. Speak with your insurance adjuster to determine if you have benefits available.

How long does it take to file a claim for a car accident?

Although it varies, most states set the statute of limitations for injured parties to seek compensatory damages at three years following the accident or three years after you discover your injuries.

What is the Wetherington Law Firm?

Wetherington Law Firm provides legal assistance to young professionals in the Atlanta metro area, focusing on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and class action cases. The firm handles cases involving injuries and wrongful deaths stemming from vehicular accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice. The legal team may also represent clients facing false imprisonment and victims of law enforcement abuse of force. Founding partner Matt Wetherington is a member of the American Association for Justice.

What is Spaulding Injury Law?

Spaulding Injury Law is a results-driven law firm that represents injured people and grieving families in Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout the state. The award-winning firm has over 20 years of combined experience dealing with cases involving car accidents, brain injuries, tractor-trailer accidents, dog bite injuries, and wrongful deaths, among others. The team consists of former insurance company attorneys who employ a client-centered approach to handling injury and wrongful death matters.

Can an attorney negotiate a settlement with an insurance company?

While nearly any attorney can negotiate with insurers for a settlement, not all attorneys have amassed experience litigating a claim in a court of law. Choose an attorney with a background that includes car accident claimants; it's helpful if the attorney is focused on personal injury law.

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