why get an attorney after a car accident

Why Get an Attorney After a Car Accident?

• Maximize your settlement. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will try to get you to accept a low-ball settlement...
• Handling negotiations and legal headaches. Your personal injury attorney will deal with your insurance company and the...
• Identifying all responsible parties. Car accidents are often more complicated than...

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

What is the best car accident lawyer?

• The negligent driver’s employer
• Municipalities if the road is in bad condition or street lights aren’t functional
• Other drivers on the road
• Auto manufacturers if a faulty part caused an accident
• Your own insurance company (if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage)

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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Why do you need a car accident lawyer?

A significant benefit to hiring a car accident lawyer to handle your claim is that we can advise you of all of your legal options. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a reasonable settlement amount, we are prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What does an attorney do for insurance?

Your attorney will: Negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Handle all details of your claim for you. Help prepare a written or verbal statement that is carefully crafted to your benefit.

What to do before negotiating with insurance adjuster?

Before entering into a negotiation with an insurance adjuster, contact a trusted car accident lawyer who has experience doing just that on a regular basis. Our attorneys are experienced in negotiating fair settlements for our clients that help them obtain the compensation they deserve. We will not settle for anything less.

What is an insurance adjuster?

Insurance adjusters spend their days negotiating insurance settlements. They are skilled negotiators who vigorously fight for their best interests. So too are auto accident lawyers. We regularly negotiate with insurance companies and other attorneys. However, the significant difference is that we are solely focused on the best interests of our clients.

What is Silver Spring car accident lawyer?

Our seasoned car accident lawyers in Silver Spring have decades of experience recovering compensation for those who have been injured by another motorist. We are committed to fighting for our clients and helping them get the compensation they need to recover from their injuries and losses.

How to get a personal injury case?

Having handled many complex personal injury and auto accident cases, our attorneys have the skills and resources to obtain the evidence needed to build a case on your behalf. This can include: 1 Consulting medical experts to validate the seriousness of your injuries 2 Reconstructing the accident scene 3 Obtaining the accident report

What happens if you don't negotiate with insurance companies?

If you do not have experience negotiating with insurance companies, it can be difficult to ensure your best interests are represented and that you receive the full value of your claim. Furthermore, an insurance adjuster may get you to inadvertently issue a statement or make a comment that could affect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.

1. Help you know what to say following an accident

Following an accident, you might be tempted to say ‘I’m sorry,’ readily admit to fault, or even begin saying some choice words to the other party involved. Instead of doing all this, contact a lawyer immediately to help you understand how to speak to officers on scene as well as to insurance companies that might have follow-up questions.

2. Help you know how to act after an accident

You never want to make a car accident worse than it already is, and turning an accident into a road rage incident can do just that. Take a deep breath following an accident, and call a lawyer who can help settle your nerves and give you the peace of mind that they will handle the accident appropriately.

3. Can help you know what to document

Injury attorneys will help you know exactly what to document following a car accident to help you get the most out of your settlement. If you’re wondering why get a lawyer after a car accident, they have the most up-to-date and helpful knowledge on what you can document to help settle your case in court.

4. Can get you referred to a medical expert

Car accident doctors are worth their weight in gold when it comes to helping you get the most out of your settlement, documenting your injuries following an accident properly, and of course, treating your injuries with the utmost care.

5. Can help fight off insurance companies

Insurance companies don’t want to give you the best settlement upfront. Many insurance companies might even tell you you don’t need to hire a lawyer and say that their first offer is the best they can provide.

6. Can help defend you negotiate following a car accident

Not all lawsuits following a car accident will make it all the way to court. Many car accident lawsuits can actually get settled out of court. If you’re wondering why get a lawyer, a great auto accident attorney can help speed up your case and negotiate outside of the courtroom to still get you a great settlement offer.

7. Understand state fault rules

Not all states allow you to sue the other party for personal injury or expect them to pay your costs for collision repair following an accident. These are what are known as no-fault states. An auto accident attorney can help you determine what state laws apply to you and whether your state is a no-fault state.

1. Legal Understanding

One of the basic reasons to hire a lawyer has to do with their legal understanding. A lawyer knows what the law says and how it applies to your situation. In the case of an accident, this can mean that even if you don’t think you have grounds for compensation, your lawyer may surprise you.

2. Handling Insurance Companies

If you were just in a traumatic event, you shouldn’t have to deal with complicated insurance and legal issues. The best car accident attorney you can get will take care of the insurance companies. They know how they work, what their jargon means, and what they can do by law.

3. Amount of Compensation

If you hire a lawyer to represent you, you have a much better chance of getting the maximum allowed compensation. This means that you will end up better off having an attorney than you would without one. Don’t take less than you’re entitled to, an accident can have far-reaching impacts on your life.

4. Liability Disputes

If you don’t have a lawyer the insurance company may try to set you up to take the blame for the accident. If they are successful you won’t be able to collect the damages that you need to get your life back on track. If you look for the best car accident lawyer near me, you will find people who can help you.

5. Reaching a Settlement

If you’re going to settle with an insurance company and avoid going to court, the best way to do that is with a lawyer. They will be able to pressure an insurance company because having an attorney means you’re ready to go to court. Most insurance companies aren’t going to want to pay the extra money that the court causes.

6. Going to Court

Nobody wants to go to court, it takes up a lot of time and can be expensive. Despite this, there are circumstances in which you should go to court. This can mean that the insurance company isn’t willing to pay what you need, or you have a solid case and they are offering you pennies on the dollar.

7. Getting your Life Back

After an accident, you will be dealing with a lot of things. If you’re hurt, you’ll have to deal with extensive injury recovery, therapy, and medical bills. The stress of having to miss work, change your entire life routine, and get healthy can put an enormous weight on your shoulders.

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.

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 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.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Ohio?

There are time limits that can bar you from filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In Ohio, you must file two years from the date “the cause of action accrues.” The legal definition of accrues is “to come into existence as an enforceable claim or right,” therefore it is possible to have a claim that was not discovered until after the statute of limitations deadline.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 do people seek legal representation for car accidents?

Some victims of car accidents choose to seek legal counsel and representation so that they can focus on their health and recovery while also pursuing legal action. You have the right to hire legal representation at any time throughout the process of making an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

How to seek compensation for a car accident?

Filing an Insurance Claim. When you experience a motor vehicle accident, the first step in seeking compensation is to file a claim with either your own insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company. In some states, comparative negligence laws apply, ...

How long does it take for whiplash to show up after an accident?

Keep in mind that some car accident injuries may only display symptoms days or even weeks after an accident. For example, whiplash may take several days to manifest, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

What happens if you are distracted while answering a phone?

If the driver engaged in distracted driving while answering a phone or navigating on a GPS, this breach in their duty of care they owed you while on the road may have contributed to the accident. A lawyer can help investigate the cause of the accident and use evidence to demonstrate the fault of the other driver.

Can a lawyer help you in a car accident?

While obtaining a lawyer does not guarantee you a specific outcome for your case, they can help investigate the crash, gather evidence to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, and take care of negotiations with insurers on your behalf.

Can you seek insurance for a car accident if you are uninsured?

If the other driver’s policy cannot cover the costs of your losses, you may be able to seek them through your own policy if you carry uninsured motorist coverage. You can hire an attorney immediately after a car accident to help you assess your losses and explore the options available to you through your own insurance policy.

How much do lawyers need to improve their recovery?

If a lawyer takes one-third of your recovery, then they'll need to improve your expectedresults by more than 50% to justify hiring them.

What to do if insurance company is not playing nice?

If the insurance company is not playing nice or refusing to acknowledge the full extent of your claim, you would definitely want to talk to an attorney.

What is the importance of signing off on an agreement?

It is important, however, to have a high level of confidence that something unexpected isn't going to happen. Once you sign off on an agreement, you'll likely never have the chance to seek more money ever again.

Do attorneys take on smaller claims?

Don't doubt there are attorneys who'll take on smaller claims in exchange for a higher percentage of the recovery.

Can a car be one excitable dog?

Your car may be one excitable dog and a loose gear shifter away from being part of a two-vehicle incident involving no humans. (You can ask any insurance adjuster, and they'll tell you that strange things do indeed happen!)

Do injury lawyers offer free consultations?

Most injury and accident law firms offer free initial consultations, so feel free to ask around and get some advice before going forward with your claim .

Can you file a personal injury claim if you have no injuries?

Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.