Car Accident Lawyers ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injury-related expenses. This includes past and future medical costs, lost wages, alternative transportation, and emotional trauma.
Attorneys gather evidence and interview witnesses to strengthen your case. They also seek advice from accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to establish causation. Click the Best Car Accident Lawyer In Maryland to learn more.
In most cases, the person who causes a car accident is liable for any damages that result from it. This includes expenses like repairs to the damaged vehicle and medical bills for injuries caused by the crash. A liable party may also be ordered to pay compensatory damages such as pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can help victims recover the full extent of their losses.
However, determining who is at fault for a car accident can be complicated. This is especially true when multiple parties were involved in the collision. An effective car accident lawyer can assist in this process by investigating the crash, collecting evidence and presenting it clearly to ensure no important details are overlooked.
One of the first steps in identifying the at-fault party is obtaining a police report. These reports contain information that could be key when determining blame, such as driver actions, road conditions, weather and any other relevant factors. The sooner this information is gathered, the better.
It is also crucial to avoid admitting fault at the scene of a car accident. It is common for drivers to want to point the finger at their counterparts in the aftermath of a crash, but doing so can actually hurt your case. Even if it seems like a small thing, such as saying something such as “I didn’t see the stop sign,” can be used against you later on in court.
A skilled Vero Beach car accident attorney will examine all available evidence to determine the cause of your accident. This can include reviewing security footage, taking photos of the accident scene and speaking to witnesses. A thorough investigation will help to strengthen your claims. An experienced attorney will also have a dedicated staff capable of handling the investigative work and administrative tasks necessary to help your claim move forward. This is a sign that they are serious about their clients and the legal profession. It is also a sign that they have the resources to handle even the most complex car accident claims. Giordano Law Offices, PLLC represents individuals who have sustained physical or financial injuries in car accidents caused by the negligence of others. The firm’s lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of their clients, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and emotional distress.
Gathering Evidence
When it comes to a car accident case, there are many different types of documentation that can support your claim. The more evidence you have, the more likely it is that you will receive full compensation for your losses. In addition to eyewitness statements, police reports, photographs, and medical records, physical evidence such as skid marks and debris can significantly strengthen your case.
While you are at the accident scene, if you’re not too badly injured, take some pictures of your vehicle and the surrounding area. This is a simple way to help your attorney later establish crucial elements of your case, such as how the accident occurred and what impact force was involved. If possible, you should also exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver (or drivers if multiple vehicles were involved in the crash). This can be useful later to secure their statements about what they saw that contributed to the accident.
A good car accident lawyer can also help you obtain valuable witness statements that can establish how the crash occurred and who was at fault. Your lawyer can schedule depositions, which are out-of-court testimonies given under oath, to gain valuable insight from witnesses. Additionally, your lawyer will review any police reports, 911 calls, property damage and repair bills, medical records relating to your injuries, and cell phone records that can be used in the case.
Finally, if there was surveillance footage at the accident scene that captured the crash or the events leading up to it, this can be an important piece of evidence in your case. This type of evidence can be difficult to locate and collect, but your lawyer will know where to look and have the resources and network to gather it for you.
A reputable car accident lawyer can review all of this and any other documents you have to put together a strong legal argument for the compensation you deserve. The attorney will work on a contingency fee basis, which means they get paid when you win your claim. This helps to align their interests with yours and makes them more committed to ensuring that you are well-represented in your case.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
The first step in settling your car accident claim is to negotiate with the insurance company. This is something a good lawyer will handle for you, and they can help you to receive a fair settlement amount.
The insurance adjuster will look at the damage done to your vehicle and any medical expenses you have incurred. They will also consider any other losses you have suffered as a result of the accident, such as loss of income due to missed work. Having a clear idea of the totality of your losses will make it easier for you to explain them to an insurance adjuster.
Often, the insurance adjuster will begin by offering a low offer. Rejecting their initial offer is completely within your rights and will give you room to negotiate. You may be able to convince them to raise their initial offer by showing that you have an understanding of the value of your claim, which you obtained from an expert.
When you are negotiating with the insurance company, it is important to remain polite and respectful at all times. You never know if the insurance adjuster will have empathy for your situation or draw a hard line. Treating them with respect and explaining your hardships in a clear, logical manner will make them more likely to accept a fair settlement.
If the insurance company refuses to pay you a reasonable amount, you can file a lawsuit against them. However, this is a complicated process and will require the assistance of an experienced lawyer. The main reason why most people choose to hire an attorney is because they have a better understanding of car accident law than the average private citizen.
The insurance companies will take your claims seriously when you work with a lawyer. A good car accident lawyer can help you to determine how much your case is worth and will fight for your right to the compensation you deserve. A good lawyer will also be able to find loopholes and rules in the policy that could increase your settlement.
Filing a Lawsuit
In cases where the insurance company does not take you seriously or offers a low-ball settlement, your attorney may need to file a lawsuit. A car accident lawyer will prepare and file the necessary paperwork for your case in accordance with local laws.
In addition to reviewing documentation like pictures and witness statements, your attorney might also hire outside experts to help strengthen your case. For example, a reconstruction expert might be called in to recreate the accident scene. These experts can offer valuable insight into how your crash happened, which may assist in proving that the at-fault party is liable for your injuries.
It is vital for your car accident attorney to work quickly in order to meet statutory deadlines for filing a claim or lawsuit. For example, in New York, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of your crash. If you do not file your claim within this time period, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover compensation.
A seasoned car accident attorney knows how to investigate the case, track down assets and pursue a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover fair compensation for your injury-related losses. They are experienced in evaluating medical records and evidence and can calculate your actual damages, which will include your past and future financial losses such as medical treatment costs, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering and more.
They will also be able to determine if any third-party parties can be held liable for your crash-related losses. This could include other drivers who were involved in the crash or the manufacturer of your vehicle if there were design flaws in it that contributed to the accident.
When you retain a car accident lawyer, they will typically charge on a contingency basis. This means they will only get paid if they successfully secure you compensation in the form of a settlement or court ruling. This allows you to have access to an experienced and qualified attorney without having to pay upfront fees. This is especially helpful in situations where the cost of your damages are significantly high and you might not be able to afford to pay an upfront fee to secure legal representation.