Car accidents happen every day. It's an unfortunate part of our everyday lives, but we're at risk each time we go out on the road. This is especially true in cities across our nation that are densely populated. However, you don't have to live in New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles to be in need of a good car accident lawyer. If you've been in an accident, you need to call an attorney right away. This is true regardless of the damage to your vehicle or injury to you or passengers. Keep reading for four reasons why you should hire a lawyer after a car accident.
Protect your rights
When you've been injured in an accident, you're entitled to specific rights that protect you from the person at fault for the accident as well as your insurance company. A lawyer who specializes in car accidents will be well-versed in the law and provide you with proper counseling to make sure that you have an understanding of your situation. This means that if you have a case that goes to court, a lawyer will help you properly prepare and know what paperwork needs to be filed.
Should your accident case go to court, a good lawyer who has an in-depth knowledge of how to defend you in a car accident case will keep you informed of the applicable laws and factors that are relevant to your situation. Your attorney will make sure to gather the necessary evidence and information that will be used to ensure that you bring the best possible case for you to court. Should you try to do this on your own, you could easily end up leaving out important evidence that would protect you.
Why should you call immediately? The statute of limitations can work against you.
"The statute of limitations is the time frame that an accident victim has to file a lawsuit for the damages suffered. In our legal system, if your lawsuit is filed too late, you can be denied from receiving compensation for your loss or injury forever." - Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
Your lawyer will let you know if the occurrence of your car accident is within the statute of limitations.
Prove liability
When it comes to proving liability in a car crash, it can either fall on you or the other driver. However, the accident can be ruled no-fault. If an accident is ruled "no-fault" then it means that both drivers were negligent in some way. Your lawyer can work with you to ensure that you receive the best-case scenario for your role in a crash.
Liability plays a major role in your requirement to pay out or receive payment as the result of a car accident. A person who is at fault for an accident is responsible for paying all settlements in the case. If you believe that you're not at fault, your lawyer will help you fight to prove that this is the case. The fault is usually decided by negligence, which can include distracted driving from a cell phone, map, or even adjusting your seat; driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, or simply looking at something on the side of the road for a split second.
If you worry that you were liable for the crash, then your attorney will work to prove the accident was no-fault. While you would then have to pay the necessary damages for your vehicle and your medical bills, you and your insurance company would not be responsible for any vehicular damage or medical bills from injury the other person might accumulate.
Deal with insurance companies
When it comes to dealing with insurance companies, it's important to remember that they're in the business of making money. Yes, you pay your insurance premiums each month. However, your insurance company will try to pay out the minimum amount of money possible for your benefit. You will need an attorney to help you fight your insurance company and receive your maximum claim value.
If you're not sure what kind of claim you should be getting from your insurance company, your lawyer can help. Your lawyer will provide advice as to whether the offer the insurance company sent your way is too low and if you will likely get more. An attorney will serve with your best interests in mind so that you have less financial stress to worry about.
Injuries don't always appear right away
An injury from a car accident can take time to show its ugly head. While you might feel that you simply have a bruise on your arm or leg, internal injuries are always possible. A concussion or a spinal injury can go undiagnosed at the scene of the accident. Psychological trauma and mental distress can also cause long-term problems. When you hire a lawyer, you have an advocate at your side who will make sure that the medical bills that accompany these injuries are properly taken care of in accordance with the law.
