7 Signs That You Should Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident
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· Filing insurance claims with issues of fault, injuries, statutes of limitation, or other complicating factors is when to hire a car accident lawyer after an accident. Car insurance companies have lawyers to review those types of issues and advise the company on ways to avoid paying you what you deserve. We advise consulting with at least one car accident lawyer …
Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you—one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.
The time limit can be anytime from within a year to five years, depending on the state. Now, while this means you would have that long to lawyer up and file your injury claim, it is still best to file your claim immediately after the incident. As we will soon explain, the longer you wait, the more diluted your case becomes.
· Here are some times when you definitely want to talk to an experienced automobile accident attorney: When you've been injured and needed medical treatment. When your vehicle has sustained substantial damage. When you were at fault, or at least partially at fault. When another driver was at fault or at least partially at fault.
Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.
Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.
Whereas this may be your first time dealing with the ins and outs of an accident claim, injury attorneys have dealt with all manner of claims and have faced the gamut of insurance company tactics. They have experience obtaining the necessary evidence to support your claim, including gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records and bills, and employment and lost wage information.
If you are unable to settle your accident case, your attorney can take care of filing the necessary paperwork to start a court case and can deal with the defense attorneys on your behalf. Having a seasoned professional navigate the day to day work of your case eases the burden on you so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
An experienced injury attorney can be extremely helpful in navigating the often chaotic and confusing world of insurance claims and injury settlements after a car accident. Here's what you need to know:
For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations -- for minors, for example.
Most injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning your lawyer only gets paid if there is a successful resolution to your claim.
Your lawyer will also want to speak with any witnesses to your accident. Witnesses can often provide unique perspectives about the seconds leading up to your crash. Often, these witness statements can help show that the other driver caused your accident.
Working with a lawyer who has these resources at their disposal is important because it may increase your chances of reaching a suitable outcome.
Ultimately, what that means for the crash victim is that they end up paying out of pocket for their medical expenses. With a trusted and aggressive car accident injury attorney, they take over the settlement negotiations. When an insurance company sees you have hired a lawyer, they start to take you seriously and that can sometimes be enough to get them to offer a more fair and reasonable settlement.
With a car accident injury attorney on your side, you have a legal advocate looking out for your best interests. Combating the insurance company and fighting to protect your rights is what car accident attorneys do. The right car accident injury lawyer will also be able to offer you additional support and legal services.
You deserve a lawyer at your side who has experience helping car accident injury victims get maximum compensation. But you also need a compassionate lawyer who understands exactly what you’re going through. You need to trust your attorney with a great deal of responsibility and you need to feel comfortable with them.
If it’s clear that the other driver caused the accident and your car has suffered damages , the insurance company may simply agree to reimburse you the costs you paid to get your car fixed.
When you get into a car accident and need to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver, that person’s insurance company will be the one representing them in your lawsuit. The insurance company would be the one to pay out your claim; and, insurance companies have money.