When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident?

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident | Bohn & Fletcher, LLP

Car accident victims are often left to deal with severe injuries and increasing medical expenses on their own after an accident. 

You may not be sure about what to do after a car accident. Unfortunately, many car accident victims find themselves in unusual situations following a collision. However, an expert car accident attorney can benefit you for navigating these challenges and protect your rights to compensation throughout the process. But When to get an attorney for a car accident? There are various factors to determine on consulting an attorney, which includes: 

A car accident attorney knows the legal process.

When you hire a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident, you hire a professional who is well aware of the applicable laws and procedural regulations that may affect your case.

If your negligence contributed to the accident, an attorney could advise you on the shared blame rules in your state and how they can affect your case. 

An attorney will also be familiar with the timeframe for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. For example, in many states, you must file your case within two years of your car accident, or you may lose your ability to go to court. An attorney can also tell you any different exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as minors.

Your attorney will be responsible for filing a lawsuit on your behalf and understanding how to counter any potential defenses presented by the other party. Furthermore, once your case is underway, your lawyer will be crucial in preparing your case for trial—and possibly even going to trial.

Even while a lawsuit is rarely necessary, the fear of legal action gives you a lot of negotiation power to reach a fair settlement.

Consulting a lawyer has no drawbacks

Any experienced attorney will offer you a free initial consultation to discuss your case, either over the phone or in person. They will listen to your story and advise you on whether or not you should hire an attorney to represent you. They will also explain how they will assist you and how you will get compensated. Most car accident attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, or “no-win-no-fee.” which implies that the attorney will use any compensation or settlement you receive to pay their fees.

Attorney secures your rights 

The role of an advocate is perhaps the most crucial one that a car accident lawyer plays. Advocate entails acting in your best interests and on your side throughout the claim process. Your attorney will be your advocate, whether negotiating with a car insurance company or representing your case, ensuring that your side of the story is heard. 

Having a lawyer on your side can help you receive fair compensation

  • You may have substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses if you were injured or your property was damaged in a car accident. In many circumstances, these costs remain long after the incident has happened. Victims of car accidents who have legal representation receive much higher compensation than those who do not. 
  • The losses that can occur due to a car accident are not often evident in the days and weeks following the collision. However, a skilled personal injury attorney can assist a victim in better estimating future expenses and including them in their claim. Whiplash, for example, can sometimes appear to be a minor injury but turn into a more serious problem that necessitates ongoing medical expenses.  
  • When you file a claim in a car accident case, you are positioned against a major insurance company that deals with such claims daily rather than an individual driver. Even if the other driver caused the accident, some persons who have been in an accident are concerned about causing distress or expense to the other driver. On the other hand, most drivers have auto insurance, and your dealings will be with their insurer. In addition, insurance companies have vast resources available, including teams of lawyers, medical and forensic specialists. All of them are dedicated to limiting the amount of money you receive for your car accident claim.
  • In your dealings with insurance companies, an expert car accident lawyer can assist you in leveling the playing field. They are aware of the tactics used by insurance companies to decrease the amount of compensation paid to vehicle accident victims. They can also take care of the mountains of paperwork, phone calls, and emails that come with filing an insurance claim, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

A legal misstep will have an impact on your compensation

Most car accident claims are settled outside of court; and some people believe that dealing with an insurance claim is merely a negotiation procedure in which the law plays no role. But it is inaccurate, and it can lead to claims being denied and compensation being reduced. If you don’t have a strong legal claim in a car accident case, you’re in a worse negotiation position, and the insurance company knows it. A successful claim requires a thorough understanding of the law. Other legal problems will affect your case and compensation, aside from demonstrating who is at blame in a car accident and the level of damage or injuries. If a claim is not filed within the statute of limitations term for that type of claim in that state, it may be lost.

Communicates with Medical professionals

Some car accident attorneys have professional contacts with medical providers who may help you with your claim. They may also be familiar with severe injuries and refer you to the best experts for your treatment.

Investigates the case completely

Car accident attorneys can also call on various outside experts such as retired police officers or

investigators besides reviewing evidence such as pictures and witness statements from the accident. Your lawyer may recreate the scene if there are questions about how certain aspects of the accidents occurred. They are not afraid to go the extra mile to build the strongest

possible case.

Hiring an attorney can save you additional costs

 When determining whether or not to engage an attorney following a car accident: Waiting costs money, and it can cost much money. When an attorney takes on a case, the evidence is less “fresh,” The inquiry into how, who, and how much is more challenging. Witness how memories disappear. In other words, time slowly eats away at the top-end of the amount of money a victim of an accident might hope to receive.

Conclusion

If you have been injured or your property has been damaged in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your options. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action for you and navigate the numerous administrative and legal barriers that stand in the way of receiving adequate compensation due to an accident.

During a stressful and chaotic situation, an attorney also serves as an objective voice of reason for the victim and the victim’s family. Such crash victims sometimes find it challenging to think clearly about potentially critical, financially significant decisions in the hours, days, and weeks following a car accident injury. Car accident attorneys assist their clients by providing precise, clear approaches.