A car accident lawyer or attorney helps car accident victims build personal injury claims and seek compensation for the damages other drivers cause. If you have been hurt in an accident and you were not at fault, a car accident lawyer can help you build your case and file for compensation in a timely manner.
Few experiences create the mix of confusion, stress, and anxiety that results from a car accident. So much happens in the moments and days that follow a collision, and amidst the chaos of it all, you have to make significant decisions that can affect you for years to come.
What you do at the scene of the accident and the days after can dramatically affect your ability to recover compensation for your damages. Figuring out the right course of action can overwhelm a person on the best of days—never mind a person who suffers from the pain of their injuries and the anxiety of how they will pay for the expenses headed their way.
The good news is, if another party’s negligence caused your car accident, you should not have to worry about bearing the burden of these costs. A car accident lawyer can explain your legal rights and options for how to recover your losses.
Table of Contents
Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer if Your Accident Was Minor?
A car accident lawyer can help even if your car accident was minor by protecting you against legal claims the other party may make in trying to blame you for the accident to deny their responsibility. A lawyer can also review your claim to make sure you’re filing for everything you’re entitled to. Additionally, a lawyer knows the experts to hire and the evidence to gather to help you build the strongest case possible.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
The main goal of a car accident lawyer is getting you financial compensation to cover your expenses like:
- Medical bills
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Car accident lawyers are personal injury lawyers who specialize in tort law surrounding car accidents. There are a number of ways they can help you pursue the fullest compensation possible.
Here are some of the main things a car accident lawyer does when working with an injured driver.
Helps You Understand Your Rights
Most people are not well-versed in personal injury laws regarding car accidents. So, when an accident does happen, it’s completely understandable if you don’t know what your full rights are.
If you were not at fault for the car accident, you should not have to pay for damages resulting from it. The laws around car accident injuries vary per state, but in Georgia, the at-fault party in any injury accident is liable for all damages—and the injured party can seek compensation for their damages, per OCGA §51-1-6.
Your lawyer can go through all relevant laws with you in your case. They’ll help you understand what your rights are and how you can legally protect yourself. Insurance companies are skilled at making you think you have little choice in how your case goes—but you have more power than you probably realize.
Offers Legal Advice
After you get in an accident, you might get a lot of differing advice. Maybe you look online and see an article saying one thing. Then, you talk to a friend or family member and they give you their opinion on what you should do. It can get confusing quickly and leave you wondering how to best approach your case—or where to even start.
Turn to the experts first. Car accident lawyers know what should happen after a car accident. They have spent years of schooling, training, and hands-on experience with car accident claims. They can look at the details of your case and give you the best advice for how to seek the full financial recovery you need.
Find an experienced car accident lawyer if you want to have the best chance at a successful car accident case.
Negotiates for a Fair Settlement
A lot of work and investigation goes into a successful car accident claim. A car accident lawyer does a lot behind the scenes to build a strong case for you and fight for your rights. They can help you:
- Investigate the details of your accident
- Gather all relevant information, including pictures, police reports, witness statements, and proof of damages
- Build and file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Negotiate for a fair settlement if the insurance company tries to lowball you
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to negotiate
- Represent you in court—and through every step leading up to court—with the goal of full compensation for you
Represents You in Court
Thankfully, most car accident cases are resolved well before they need to go to court. Insurance companies are more likely to offer a good settlement to a plaintiff who has a car accident lawyer. Even if you end up filing a lawsuit, it’s likely your lawyer will reach an agreement with the insurer before the trial.
However, if you do end up going to trial, a car accident lawyer will be by your side through the entire ordeal. They will fight ruthlessly for your right to compensation. Experienced lawyers are not afraid of insurance companies and their tactics. They will be ready for whatever the insurer brings to the table
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Gather Evidence that Is Difficult to Get on Your Own
Most people don’t realize just how much car accident lawyers do when working on a case. Here are some additional tasks they do that you might not think about until after you’ve decided to hire your lawyer.
Investigates the Case Completely
Besides reviewing evidence like pictures and witness statements from the accident, as mentioned above, car accident lawyers may also call on various outside experts, including retired police officers or their own investigators.
Your lawyer may recreate the accident scene if there are questions about how certain parts of the accident happened. They are not afraid to go the extra mile (and then some) to build the strongest case possible.
Assesses the Full Extent of Your Damages
It’s normal to only consider your immediate costs after an accident—but when building a claim, your lawyer will look at all the ways the accident will affect you, now and in the future. They will consider current and future medical treatment costs, how your injuries have affected your ability to work, and the emotional impacts of the accident.
After considering all of your damages, they’ll come up with the most accurate estimate of your total damages. This helps ensure you don’t get left footing the bill for costs of the accident you hadn’t considered. The insurance company certainly won’t help you in this area, so your best bet is hiring a car accident lawyer who knows what they’re doing.
Calls on Medical Professionals
Some car accident lawyers maintain professional relationships with certain medical providers who can provide beneficial services for your claim. They may also have good knowledge of serious injuries and the best experts to call on for your treatment options.
Source: GhNewsfile-
