We’ve all seen commercials or billboards advertising the services of a car accident lawyer. However, unless you have been in a car accident and hired a lawyer, you may not really understand what they do.
In fact, perhaps you’ve been in a car accident before and resolved it without a lawyer, so what’s the need for one now? A car accident lawyer can maximize your settlement and take the burden and stress of handling an insurance claim off of your shoulders.
If you’re thinking about hiring a car accident lawyer, read on to learn more about what they do and how they can help you.
Responsibilities Of A Car Accident Lawyer
“Some car accident cases are very simple, but others are much more complex. A car accident lawyer helps their clients navigate the insurance and legal process after a car accident. Some people prefer to handle this themselves, but when there are serious injuries at stake, it’s a good idea to bring in a professional” said car accident attorney Jill Kolodner,
The major responsibilities include:
- Advising their clients about the law and legal rights
- Investigating the cause of the car accident
- Collecting evidence to support their client’s case
- Finding out who is responsible
- Filing an auto insurance claim and negotiating with insurance companies to reach a settlement
- Consulting with expert witnesses
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit, when necessary
- Representing their client in court before a judge and/or jury
When you are speaking with prospective car accident lawyers, you should ask them to outline the scope of their representation. Some lawyers may do more for their clients than others. It is best to be sure about their responsibilities before hiring a lawyer so that there aren’t any surprises.
Benefits Of Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer
There are many benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer. The first is that car accident lawyers are better negotiators than the average person. This means that they are skilled at maximizing the amount of damages in a car accident case.
Insurance companies and defendants are notorious for getting out of paying after a car accident. A lawyer will know all of the tricks and tips to make sure you get what you deserve. If you don’t have a car accident lawyer, you may not truly understand what you are entitled to. Plus, you may become intimidated by negotiating with an insurance company or another lawyer.
The second benefit is that a car accident lawyer can take the stress of handling the fallout of a car accident off of your shoulders. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you are probably healing and already dealing with extra stress. The last thing you need is to deal with the runaround of insurance companies, gathering paperwork, and keeping track of deadlines.
The third benefit of a car accident lawyer is that they can protect you from unfair blame. It’s common for people to try and push the blame onto the plaintiff in a car accident case. This is because most states will reduce a plaintiff’s recovery by their share of responsibility or completely bar recovery. This means that the defendant will pay less in the long run.
If you are getting blamed for a car accident, a lawyer can collect evidence to prove that you are not at fault. They can also stand up for you in court and fight back against unfair allegations. Even if you aren’t being blamed, a lawyer will help keep it that way and put you in the best position to recover compensation going forward.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Claim
If you’ve been injured in a crash, a car accident lawyer can be a great asset as you navigate your injury claim. Contact an experienced attorney today for help with your case.