No one wants to be in a position where they need a lawyer for car accident injury claims. Victims may be looking at extensive medical treatment, lost wages, and a slew of other costs. No victim of a car accident should be forced to pay for damages out of their own pocket.
Car accident attorneys work closely with victims to hold the at-fault party liable for the accident – and all the costs incurred. Many people assume they can manage a car accident case on their own. This is a big misunderstanding.
Earning fair compensation after a crash requires intense negotiations with insurance companies. This process is nearly impossible without a skilled attorney.
The most important thing to remember after an accident is you are not alone. In this post, we cover everything your car accident lawyer will do in your fight for justice. Let’s dive in.
Your Car Accident Injury Lawyer Will Analyze the Facts
Your ability to earn compensation to cover damages comes down to evidence. Moreover, this evidence needs to prove the other party was liable for your injuries. Without a skilled car accident lawyer, this task is extremely difficult.
Let’s put it in perspective. Car insurance companies estimate that the average person gets into an auto collision once every 17.9 years. A car accident lawyer deals with auto collisions for a living every single day.
Crashes typically happen in the blink of an eye – you will have your version of events and the other driver will have theirs. When you hire a lawyer for a car accident injury, they will examine the evidence presented, help you gather more, and make sure the crucial details do not get missed.
Car Accident Attorneys Will Discuss Your Legal Options
In the consultation, the car accident injury lawyer will discuss your situation, rights, and the path to earning fair compensation.
Step one is you will explain the story and the facts of the accident. These facts will include:
- The sequence of events leading to the crash
- The injuries you are facing
- The monetary losses you’re looking at
- The process of negotiating your settlement
- Your chances of success
- Any other details needed to earn compensation
Most importantly, the attorney will lay out the entire roadmap of the legal proceedings and how they will approach the situation.
The more details you can provide them, the better. Don’t be shy to ask questions if you don’t understand anything – the personal injury process is likely new to you. Trustworthy attorneys are happy to answer your concerns in a way that’s easy to understand.
Your Attorney Will Calculate the Damages to Pursue
Calculating damages after a car accident is not always crystal-clear.
Some damages incurred do not have receipts or price tags attached. Keep in mind, the goal in every car accident case is to get reimbursed for every penny you spent, the future costs you’re facing, and every minute of anguish you’re dealing with.
These costs are grouped into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment (estimates)
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering (mental, physical, and emotional anguish)
- Reduced quality/enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
As you could probably guess, calculating the economic damages is the easy part. Non-economic damages get tricky. When you hire a lawyer for car accident injury claims, they will take your situation into account and place a dollar value on these non-tangible damages – which will then be negotiated in the settlement.
Your Car Accident Lawyer Will Negotiate for a Fair Settlement
We won’t sugarcoat this. You NEED a skilled car accident injury lawyer to negotiate a settlement with insurance companies. These companies have a single goal to protect their bottom line – no matter what the circumstances are. Most will not take you seriously without an attorney.
A good lawyer for car accident injury claims knows the challenges and roadblocks involved in the negotiation process. They will use every piece of evidence to the fullest extent to hold the at-fault party liable for the accident.
Plain and simple. Negotiations are the most important part of the process – and will be nearly impossible without a lawyer.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for a Car Accident?
You might be pleasantly surprised to hear this, but a lawyer for car accident injury cases costs you NOTHING out of pocket.
Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee agreement. This means they recoup their fees as a percentage of the total settlement AFTER they win the case. They will factor their costs into the claim amount requested from the at-fault party. This typically makes up between 30-40 percent of the total settlement.
Moreover, a good car accident lawyer will not charge anything if they don’t earn the settlement – and won’t take your case unless they think they can win.
What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer for car accident claims is the most important piece of the puzzle.
As much as we’d like to say otherwise, the personal injury space is not all sunshine and roses. All car accident attorneys know you are facing this situation for the first time – or maybe second. Either way, they know you are not an expert on the law. Some unsavory characters will take advantage of this.
The good news is there are a few key signs to look for in the consultation to signify you’ve found a trustworthy lawyer. Here are some of the big ones to look for:
- They don’t charge you for the consultation.
- They don’t demand any out-of-pocket costs.
- They don’t make bold promises about your settlement amount.
- They maintain a cautiously optimistic mindset.
- They explain everything in simple terms.
- They are very attentive in listening to your story.
- They ask lots of questions.
- They are genuinely compassionate to your situation.
Trust your gut here. If you’re getting a bad vibe from the attorney, walk away.
The Next Steps
Knowing what to do after a car accident is not always easy. Moreover, you are likely not thinking straight after the traumatic experience. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the basics. There will be a long road to recovery – and you’ll need a baseline understanding of how the process works.
Always remember, you can speak with a car accident attorney with no obligation. Most will be happy to answer general questions. At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping victims of car crashes earn fair compensation and get their life back. You are always welcome to get in touch with your concerns. We will gladly point you in the right direction.
Don’t hesitate to call our office at 312-786-5881, send an email to info@midwestinjurylawyers.com, or fill out a form online. We’ll get back to you ASAP.