Being involved in a car accident can be a troublesome event. It can lead to injuries or disabilities and cause a financial burden. Accident victims have so much on their minds, including medical expenses, the damage to the vehicle, contacting their insurers and more. Often in all this chaos, accident victims often overlook getting legal advice.
If you were involved in a collision with a negligent driver, your priority should be visiting a doctor and seeking medical attention. The next step should be contacting an attorney to file a claim. After you or a loved one is involved in a vehicle accident, your insurance company will look for ways to mitigate or deny your car accident claim. Insurance companies have extensive resources and legal teams. That is why you need a personal injury lawyer to talk to your insurance companies and represent your case. This article intends to talk about why you should be prepared for a fatal accident and learn when to hire a car accident lawyer.
Why Hire An Accident Lawyer Who Has Handled Similar Cases?
Any car accident lawyers licensed in your state can represent you legally in a car accident lawsuit. However, they might lack the right expertise, skills and resources to win your case. Personal injuries can be of many types. You need to pick an attorney who specializes in car accident cases and understands your situation.
How Long After Your Accident Should You Hire A Lawyer?
It is recommended that you contact an accident lawyer as soon as possible for three main reasons-
Get Proof
Evidence is time-sensitive and begins to erode soon after the accident. Witnesses may also forget the details, and you may miss their perspective, which can help you win the case. The longer it takes to hire an attorney to represent you, the harder it will be for you to collect and organize the evidence.
What Evidence Can My Attorney Collect For Me?
Attorneys can help you with-
- Photos of the accident site and all the damaged vehicles.
- Fetching the police report.
- Talking to the eyewitnesses and recording their statements electronically.
- Fetching your medical records.
Attorneys can compile all of these and consult with other professionals to create solid evidence.
Get You The Desired Treatment.
An accident can happen anytime, and you might not be in the financial position to pay for your medical expenses. Paying for your treatment can be challenging and affect your savings and family. To get the funds you need for medical treatment or getting your vehicle repaired, consider hiring an attorney early on in your case. They will talk to your insurers to get the coverage for your medical treatment.
Limitation Of Liability
If you wait too long after an accident, you may lose your right to sue the other driver in an accident lawsuit. The statute of limitations in many states in the USA is two years following an accident.
Many personal injuries from road accidents become apparent days or weeks later. Your injury attorney will be able to help you with the best course of action in all these cases.
What Is The Average Compensation For A Car Accident?
Calculating the settlement amount for a case is more art than science. Many factors collectively decide the compensation amount which includes-
- Your severity of injuries
- Age
- Gender
- Fault
Your insurance company may offer quick settlement amounts based on data and calculations. However, this offer is generally lower than the amount you deserve. A car accident attorney can help level the playing field and collect evidence based on the medical costs and the extent of your injuries, damage to the car, eyewitness testimony, and police reports.
What Can Your Car Accident Lawyer Get Back For You?
- Money for your medical treatment and your car repair.
- Money for future medical expenses and surgeries.
- Compensation for present and future salary loss
- Compensation for emotional pain.
Car accident lawyers can review your case to estimate the full scope of all damages and costs associated with the accident and help you win the right compensation.