Lawyers are not one-size-fits-all. For this reason, you can find a lawyer who focuses on every type of case, including car accident claims.
If you’re a crash victim, a car accident lawyer can take action against the at-fault party and fight for your right to fair financial recovery. But what exactly do car accident attorneys do, and how can one help you?
Continue reading to learn more about car accident lawyers and their role in collision claims. Schedule a free consultation with a law firm near you to discuss your specific circumstances.
What Is a Car Accident Lawyer?
Before understanding what a car accident lawyer does, let’s discuss what a car accident lawyer is and how they got where they are today.
A lawyer goes to law school to become a lawyer. Once they graduate and become licensed, the lawyer decides what area of the law to focus on. More broadly, car accident attorneys focus on the area of personal injury.
Personal injury law, or tort law, revolves around helping injured individuals get the justice and compensation they deserve. When you suffered an injury in any type of accident or incident involving negligent or intentional action, personal injury law can help protect you.
Car accident cases fall under personal injury law. Therefore, a car accident lawyer can assist you with your accident claim and recovering financially from the other party’s wrongdoing.
Understanding a Car Accident Lawyer’s Role
A car accident attorney plays many roles in a case. They not only help handle every case-related task but are also available to assist you with anything and everything along the way, from finding medical care for your injuries to helping you make crucial decisions.
When you take on your accident claim alone, representing yourself prose, you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position. When you’re unfamiliar with the law and procedures related to car accident cases, you will make critical mistakes along the way, which will cost you.
When you have a car accident attorney on your side, you don’t have to worry about your case. You can feel confident knowing your claim is in the best possible hands. An experienced lawyer has seen it all and knows how to roll with the punches. Nothing is too great a challenge for a car accident lawyer.
Hiring a car accident lawyer means hiring legal representation, a coach, and a guide. An attorney is the best ally when navigating your accident case.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You After an Accident
Consult an attorney for guidance if you’re in a car accident. Among the many things car accident lawyers do, here are some of the most helpful and important.
Explain Your Legal Rights
First and foremost, car accident lawyers explain your legal rights.
When you suffer an injury in a car crash, you may be completely unaware that you have any rights. But thanks to personal injury law, you do. Among your rights, you may file a claim for your damages, including medical expenses, property damage, and lost income.
An accident can overwhelm you in many ways, especially if it is your first crash. An attorney can explain your rights and take the appropriate steps to protect them.
Determine What Direction to Take for Your Claim
Not two cases are alike. Therefore, it takes a skilled car accident lawyer to review the details of your situation and determine how best to handle your case.
For example, if you’re in a collision and the at-fault party is an insured driver, you may have the opportunity to file a third-party claim with that driver’s insurance company as a jumping-off point. Depending on the success of your claim, you may resolve your case quickly or need to take further legal action.
This is different from other types of cases, like hit and run accidents. In a hit-and-run situation, the responsible party flees the collision scene, so you likely won’t know their identity. This can present a challenge when seeking compensation. Still, recovering financially is not impossible, so your accident attorney can go over options with you.
An attorney can make determinations based on the specifics of your case and obtain favorable compensation.
Handle Every Aspect of Your Accident Claim
When you hire a car accident lawyer, they can timely and properly handle every task for your case.
Car accident claims can be tough to navigate, but an attorney can do it all.
From beginning to end, your lawyer will take on every aspect of your case, including:
- Helping you file your car accident claim: Filing car accident claims can be tricky, whether you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurer. Your attorney can help you successfully file and manage your claim.
- Investigating your accident: A lawyer can investigate your accident to help answer the most pressing questions, including what caused your accident and who is at fault.
- Sending the insurance company a demand letter: If your insurance claim does not yield favorable results, your attorney can send the insurer a demand letter providing information regarding your accident and requesting a fair settlement based on the value of your losses.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit: Should the demand letter not lead to a settlement, your lawyer can take further legal action and file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
- Calculating the value of your case: Knowing how much your case is worth is key to pursuing and recovering the fairest possible compensation for your accident-related losses.
- Requesting and gathering pertinent evidence: Evidence, like police reports, medical records, and surveillance footage, is crucial in car accident cases, as it can help substantiate your claims and prove the other party’s negligence.
- Communicating with the insurance company: Insurance companies are hard to work with, but car accident lawyers have extensive experience working with insurers to get the outcomes their clients deserve.
- Handling settlement negotiations: Your accident attorney can engage in settlement negotiations to help achieve the most beneficial result, especially when the opposing party pushes back against your demands.
- Representing you in court, if necessary: Most cases settle before they ever go to court, but if going to trial will give you the best chance at a successful outcome, you can rely on your lawyer to continue their representation until the end.
Throughout your case, there is always something to handle. You can trust your car accident lawyer to complete every task as necessary to reach the fair resolution you need and deserve.
Protect You from Insurance Companies
Most car accident cases involve car insurance companies, and dealing with these insurers is no walk in the park.
Insurance companies have tactics and tricks they often utilize to get their way on claims. For example, the other driver’s insurer may contact you after an accident requesting a recorded statement to get your side of the story. While this may seem innocent enough, they want to use your words against you.
When you have a car accident lawyer handling your case, you don’t have to worry about any direct communication with the insurance company. Should the insurer contact you, you can kindly direct them to your attorney for further interactions.
Car accident attorneys are more than familiar with insurers and how they work. Therefore, it’s much harder for insurers to get away with anything.
It’s a disadvantage to the insurance companies when you hire a car accident lawyer and a grand advantage to you.
Fight Diligently for Fair Compensation
The road to financial recovery often has speed bumps and obstacles. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, these barriers may impede your ability to recover compensation. Skilled lawyers have seen it all and know how to handle anything that comes your way.
When pursuing compensation, you must fully understand the value of your case. Your attorney can accurately calculate your damages to determine how much your case is worth and seek the fairest possible resolution to meet your needs.
A qualified car accident attorney won’t let any challenge get in the way of a fair result. They work hard to protect your rights and fight aggressively for your desired outcome.
Provide Guidance and Support Throughout the Process
The stress of a car accident claim can overwhelm some people, especially if the accident injured them. Your car accident lawyer handles your case’s legal and procedural side and can support you through the process. They can answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the best, most knowledgeable guidance.
When you have an experienced attorney working on your claim, you can feel at peace and focus your time and energy on your physical recovery.
When Should I Call a Car Accident Attorney?
Now that you understand what a car accident lawyer does, when is the right time to call one?
Schedule a meeting as soon as possible after your collision.
You don’t have to call a lawyer at the accident scene or even on the day of your collision. Instead, focus on your physical health and getting the medical attention you need. Once you’re stable and can contact a law firm, do so.
Hiring a lawyer starts with a consultation. During your consultation, you’ll sit down with your potential attorney and discuss your accident – how it happened, what resulted, and the losses you’ve suffered thus far. If you have any documentation or evidence to provide, this can help the attorney better evaluate your case.
Once the lawyer has discussed your situation and reviewed any evidence, they can provide guidance and determine the best course of action for your case.
It all starts with a phone call. Consult a car accident attorney as soon as you can after a crash.
Time Limits on Car Accident Cases
Car accident lawyers must begin working on collision claims as quickly as possible for several reasons, primarily for legal purposes.
If you cannot resolve your case solely with an insurance claim and need to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must note the legal time restrictions. Statutes of limitations limit the time a plaintiff has to file their lawsuit in court.
For personal injury cases, statutes of limitations vary, typically from one to six years. You need to know how long you have to file a lawsuit, as failing to file your case on time can forfeit your right to compensation.
When you hire a car accident attorney soon after your collision, you don’t have to worry about missing the statute of limitations. Lawyers know these time limits and work as quickly and efficiently as possible to avoid any potential issues with your case. This is just one of the many benefits of hiring an accident lawyer.
After a Collision, Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer Right Away
Car accident attorneys use their education, experience, skills, and resources to do the absolute most for their clients. If you suffered injuries in a collision, do not hesitate to consult a local personal injury lawyer for skilled legal help and direction.
Consultations are no-cost with no obligation, so you have nothing to lose by seeking a case evaluation from a trusted legal professional. Don’t wait to protect your legal rights and financial future.