why do you need a lawyer for a car accident

8 Reasons Why You Need a Lawyer after a Car Accident

1. There is a Need to Collect Evidence to Prove Liability in the Crash. ...
2. You Need Someone Skilled at Evaluating Damages and Determining the True Value of Your Injury. Once evidence is collected, it must be evaluated. ...
3. You Need Someone Who Can Dispute an At-Fault Driver Who Claims They are Not Responsible for the Accident. ...

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Full Answer

When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

Mar 04, 2020 · A Slater & Zurz accident attorney will work to assure you receive compensation for all your losses, including past and future medical bills, current lost wages, and lost future income, as well as the pain and suffering you have experienced from the crash injuries.

When to get an attorney for a car accident?

Jan 03, 2020 · The only reason you need a lawyer after a car accident is if you are being sued or decide to sue the other driver. If you are unsure as to whether you should hire a …

What is the best car accident lawyer?

Apr 01, 2020 · A Slater & Zurz car accident lawyer will work to assure you receive compensation for all your losses including past and future medical bills, current lost wages and lost future income as well as pain and suffering you have experienced from the crash injuries.

How to find the right car accident attorney for You?

Jan 28, 2021 · All you need to do is pay for his fees and provide essential evidence as asked by the court or lawyer. Bottom Line Getting counsel advice, support, evidence collection, matter investigation, getting an estimate for compensation are some reasons to hire a car accident lawyer. Always choose a lawyer based on experience and areas of specialization.

What happens if you are at fault for an accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and the other driver decides to sue you, you will need a lawyer to defend you. In this case, it is likely that your auto insurance company will provide a car accident attorney for you, but keep in mind that an insurance company’s lawyer works first in the best interest of the insurer and in your interests secondarily. Even if your insurance company provides a lawyer, you may want to hire your own attorney if you can afford it.

What are the rules for insurance?

If the following is true of an accident, it is unlikely that the insurance company will lowball you: 1 There was only property damage, and nobody was hurt or killed. 2 You suffered minor or no physical injuries. 3 The settlement you deserve is relatively small.

How do car accident victims settle?

Negotiation— Most car accident cases settle through pre-trial negotiations. Most accident victims have no experience negotiating a settlement of this type, which could lead to either overvaluation or undervaluation of the claim. This can result in the victim being undercompensated or the case not settling. With an experienced attorney on your side, you can rest assured that you have a skilled negotiator fighting for your interests.

What is an accident reconstruction expert?

Investigation— Sometimes an accident reconstruction expert is needed to determine how an accident occurred and who was at fault. A car accident lawyer has the resources and experience required to properly investigate your accident to ensure that you are compensated fully and fairly for your injuries.

Do car accidents go to trial?

Advocacy— While most car accident cases are settled out of court, some do end up going to trial. If this occurs, you need a lawyer by your side to advocate for you in front of a judge and jury. You can be certain that the insurance companies will have lawyers representing their interests. You need an attorney who is on your side in the courtroom.

Should a car accident victim talk to a lawyer?

Communication – A car accident victim should not discuss the case with anyone without the advice of a car accident lawyer. From the moment you retain the services of an attorney, your lawyer will become your voice and handle all communication with your insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company and anyone else involved in the collision.

How to contact a lawyer about a car accident?

Contact an Car accident lawyer at 1-888-534-4850 or submit a short form describing what happened to you. An attorney will get back to you quickly. Slater & Zurz also has a 24/7/365 online “chat” service available.

Why is it important to collect evidence about what happened in an accident?

Collecting evidence about what happened in an accident is crucial to determining if a driver may have been negligent and who is therefore liable for the crash. Evidence such as the “black box” recorder that can tell how fast a car was going when the accident occurred and whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt can often only be obtained by court order.

What is a Slater and Zurz accident lawyer?

A Slater & Zurz accident lawyer acts for your benefit throughout the entire process. He will make sure your side of the story is heard. He will ensure you comply with all procedural requirements related to your case. He is your advocate.

What does an insurance adjuster do?

Insurance adjusters negotiate insurance settlements on a full-time basis. They fight for the best interests of the insurance company. Your Slater & Zurz attorney has considerable experience as a negotiator so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

What do attorneys do after collecting evidence?

They include hiring medical experts to validate the seriousness of injuries and having accident reconstruction specialists to recreate the accident scene.

Can a client be compensated for a car accident?

There are cases where accident attorneys discover in the course of their investigation that their client contributed to the cause of the crash. The client can still be compensated even if he was partially at fault, or in legal terms “ contributorily negligent.”

Do law firms make money from cases?

The law firm will not make any money from your case unless you do. They get paid when you get paid. Of course, if the case is not won, and this doesn’t happen often, no one is paid but you do not have to “front” the cost of suing someone for their negligent actions.

Why is it important to hire an auto accident lawyer?

When you are involved in an accident, you might be struggling with many issues like how to pay high hospital bills, how will you cover any car damage charges, and even how will you be able to cover household expenses due to missed work. Consequently, reaching out to an experienced lawyer can help you to learn how car accident compensation can play a role in overcoming these issues. Ultimately, it is for these reasons that it is so important to hire an auto accident lawyer . Above all, if you have been unlucky enough to be involved in a car accident, then contacting a local legal expert is almost always for the best. For example, if you live in Denver, Colorado, then working with a reputable lawyer in your area can help you to plan your next steps. Local lawyers know how the courts in your jurisdiction work, and this can ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

How to make a car accident case stronger?

These can be in the form of pictures, videos, physical evidence, or contact information of eyewitnesses. Do not forget to take pictures of the car damage. Try to give as much as possible information to the lawyer. An attorney will help to make your case stronger, and the attorney will present in court with all the supporting documents.

Do car accidents settle out of court?

As you know, many car accident cases settle out of court. But not every victim needs to get the best compensation amount. It happens due to the non-hiring of professional car accident lawyers. Some people who do not have much knowledge about attorneys choose a newbie. Therefore, you need to sacrifice over negotiation price.

Do car insurance companies deny claims?

Car insurance companies always try to deny payments or pay for less than the actual cost of insurance. But the attorney knows what information can boost the chances for your case victory. Even the company denies to pay for a claim; the attorney is always ready to fight for the case. Secondly, insurance companies’ objective is to pay as little as possible and as quickly as possible. So to pay you as much as a lawyer always gets ready with extensive research work.

Can a car accident break your bank account?

Serious car accidents can result in disabling injuries that can break your bank accounts. Your family might be wondering how to overcome emotional, financial, and physical crises. Keep in mind; no compensation can help you to come from emotional or physical trauma. But can seek out financial crises with some financial aid. Therefore, to regain your financial footing, you need to hire a professional car accident lawyer.

What does a car accident attorney do?

During this consultation, the attorney will learn more about your car accident and your injuries and determine if they are willing to represent you. They want to know if you have a claim worth pursuing before committing to providing you their services. If you do have a claim, they can give you an estimate of what they think might be worth it.

What does it mean when you have a severe injury?

You sustained a severe injury — the more severe your injury, the more financial burdens you will have. The more the insurance company will fight paying what your claim is worth. Severe injuries do not necessarily mean you were hospitalized or had surgery. Broken bones, joint injuries, or anything else causing pain or long-term treatment are severe injuries.

What does it mean when an insurance company puts the blame on you?

The insurance company might try to say that you did not report your injuries soon enough or did something to make it worse, like not seeking treatment. They don’t want to pay, and you need an attorney who will show them that they need to.

What to do if you are worried about paying your medical bills?

If you are worried about how you will pay for your medical bills, you need to be sure you are receiving maximum compensation for your injuries. Your attorney might also be able to help you with medical liens. These types of liens allow you to get the medical care you need when you need it. The provider agrees to get paid from the proceeds of your settlement or court award when you receive it.

How to buy insurance?

Get online, give the company your personal and vehicle information, receive a quote, accept the policy, and then make your premium payments. Of course, this is a good life skill to have, but very few people know how to actually use their insurance policy. They are not aware of what their policy covers, how the claims process works, and what the provisions in their insurance contract mean. Even fewer people understand how different types of insurance policies like health and auto policies coordinate coverage. What makes these issues even more confusing is that insurance policies can vary from one state to the next based on each state’s laws.

Can you be injured in a car accident?

Some car accidents are so minor that they do not cause injuries. You might feel taken aback, surprised, shook up, or even very angry but not be physically injured. You might even feel sore, but it resolves within a few days. Oftentimes, accidents that happen at low speeds result in little or no injuries to all involved parties. These accidents may only require a property damage claim for damage done to your vehicle, bicycle, or other personal belongings.

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault? If the car accident was your fault, you likely do not need a personal injury attorney. If you caused the accident and suffered injuries, your claim will not be against anyone else. In this case, your insurance company is responsible for providing you with an attorney and defending you. You will not be charged for this service as it is a benefit of carrying insurance. However, it is common for your carrier to raise your rates after a claim.

How to evaluate your injuries after a car accident?

Evaluating your injuries after a car accident is not necessarily straightforward. The other party’s insurance company will look at the accident facts and determine whether they believe your injuries are related. They will also look at the treatment you had, the costs, and whether your treatment was reasonable and necessary. Did you recover within the expected period of time for that type of injury, or did it take you considerably longer? These are all factors that can impact your case value.

What is the goal of an adjuster?

Their goal is to gain information from you that they can use against you to reduce your claim’s value or deny it outright. The adjuster may offer you a small amount early on in the case in hopes you will settle. That way, they can close their file before you have additional treatment.

What happens if your insurance company denies your claim?

When the insurance company denies your claim, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will continue to push settlement through the discovery process. If the other driver’s insurance company keeps denying liability, your attorney will prepare your case for trial.

What damages will affect your claim?

Other damages like pain and suffering and lost wages will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you need future treatment, like surgery, that will affect the value of your claim too.

Can insurance deny a claim for a car accident?

Even if evidence points to the other driver being entirely at fault, their insurance company is likely to deny liability or offer you less than your claim is worth.

Can a case go to trial?

If your case proceeds into litigation, you need an attorney who has the necessary experience to take your case all the way to trial. Many cases won’t ever go to trial, but there is always the chance.

Can an attorney handle insurance adjusters?

An attorney can also handle all negotiations with the other party’s insurance company. Dealing with insurance adjusters can be daunting. They may give the appearance they are on your side, but they aren’t. Their goal is to gain information from you that they can use against you to reduce your claim’s value or deny it outright. The adjuster may offer you a small amount early on in the case in hopes you will settle. That way, they can close their file before you have additional treatment.

What can an experienced car accident lawyer do?

An experienced car accident lawyer can help to level the playing field in your dealings with insurance companies.

How do car accident lawyers work?

They will also explain how they can help you and how they are paid. The majority of car accident lawyers are paid on a contingency, or “no-win-no-fee,” basis. This means that their fees will be paid out of any compensation or settlement that you receive.

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

Often the relevant deadline is for personal injury claims, which in the State of Delaware is 2 years, typically running from the date of the accident. However, the deadline can be different in other states, other types of claim, ...

What is the key to a successful car accident claim?

Knowing the law is key to a successful claim. Apart from the core issues of proving who is at fault in a car accident and the extent of damage or injuries, there are other legal issues that will affect your case and compensation.

What happens if you don't have a strong legal claim?

If you do not have a strong legal claim in a car accident case, you are in a weaker negotiating position, and the insurance company knows it. Knowing the law is key to a successful claim.

What happens if you have any injuries, expenses, or damage?

If you have any injuries, expenses, or damage, you may be entitled to compensation.

Why is timing important in a car accident?

Timing is important in a car accident case. After you have been in a car accident, there are a lot of unexpected things to take care of and you may also be dealing with physical injuries and emotional distress. It can take time for you to recover and deal with the necessary phone-calls and paperwork.

What are the causes of car accidents?

There are many different causes of car accidents. Some of these may include: 1 Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) 2 Drunk driving 3 Bad weather and driving conditions 4 Mechanical failure of car or car parts 5 Disobeying traffic laws 6 Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.)

What does a car accident claim cover?

Typical damages in a car accident claim usually cover expenses such as medical bills, property repairs, and in some cases, legal fees.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.) Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries.

Can you be held liable for an auto accident?

Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries. Proving fault in an auto accident claim can often be difficult and may require the assistance of a legal professional.

Why is having a lawyer important?

In contrast to the example above, there are also circumstances where having a lawyer is important. These are circumstances where they could negotiate you a much higher settlement, or where they could help counter insurance company tactics designed to keep you from getting paid.

What does it mean when an insurance company says you didn't report your injury?

This tactic takes many forms. Often the insurance company will say you didn’t report your injury soon enough or made it “worse” by not seeking treatment. This is their way of saying they won’t pay for all of it. You need representation.

Can you give a recorded statement to an insurance company?

No one should ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even their own insurance company, without consulting an attorney first.

Is it worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer?

Even with a “minor” injury, it’s still worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer before you make any decisions in your case. And if the same minor injury required physical therapy, a specialist, an epidural, or other special treatment, it could be worth thousands more and a lawyer could make a big difference for you.

Do insurance companies take your injury seriously?

The insurance company doesn’t seem to take your injury as seriously as you do. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their job is to pay the least amount possible. Once they put a dollar amount on your diagnosis, they don’t really care whether the treatment worked or not. Get someone on your side who is there to represent your interests, and force them to take you seriously.