If you have significant medical bills, lost wages, or the wrongful death of a loved one, an experienced attorney can help. They know how to document your accident properly, compile necessary evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies.
Even if your injuries are minor and the damage to your car is minimal, an attorney can play the playing field against insurance companies trying to reduce their payouts.
Preparation
Car accidents often result in significant losses, including vehicle damage, medical expenses, and lost wages. Whether you want to file an insurance claim to cover your losses or sue a drunk driver for their carelessness, an experienced accident lawyer can help.
However, it’s essential to understand when it makes sense to hire an accident attorney. The severity of your injuries and the extent of property damage are some of the primary determining factors. Filing an insurance claim without an attorney may be easier and more efficient, depending on the circumstances. An accident lawyer like in the Levin Firm’s experienced car accident team also helps level the playing field against aggressive insurance companies that might try to reduce or deny your claims. This can save you valuable time and money. It also reduces your stress by offloading complicated legal matters onto professionals.
Meetings
A car accident is a traumatic event. You may be injured, your vehicle might have severe damage, and you will probably be dealing with medical expenses and lost wages due to time off work.
Hiring an attorney immediately after your car accident is a good idea. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is for an experienced lawyer to build a solid case for you. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and memories become hazy.
Additionally, an experienced attorney can level the playing field regarding negotiations with insurance companies. They will know how to calculate your damages and can provide you with an honest evaluation of your case. They also understand how stress can impact a victim’s physical and emotional health, so they will minimize the stress you must endure throughout your claim.
Documents
Car accident lawyers will create and manage essential documents on your behalf, including police reports, medical records, vehicle registration numbers, insurance details of the at-fault party, and other relevant witnesses. They will also establish liability in a case and decide how much compensation you deserve for your damages.
They will take care of all paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on your health and recovery. This helps ensure you receive a fair settlement offer covering all your expenses.
Negotiations
If an attorney represents you, insurance companies will take your case more seriously and are less likely to play games or deny you what you deserve. Lawyers are experienced negotiators who will negotiate the best possible outcome for you, including reimbursement for your losses and injuries.
They will also help you determine what elements of your claim are negotiable, such as the amount of the settlement check and if it is enough to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses related to the accident. Keeping physical and digital records of your accident will be helpful during the process, and it’s always recommended that you take detailed notes of every conversation with the insurance company and ask that any agreements be presented in writing.
Trial
Depending on the accident circumstances, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit to get fair compensation. If so, your car accident attorney will ensure you are adequately represented by preparing and filing all the appropriate legal documents.
A knowledgeable lawyer can assess the evidence collected at the scene and determine who is responsible for the accident. This is important because insurance companies will do everything possible to avoid paying victims what they deserve. This is why hiring a car accident attorney from the beginning is best. Even if your injuries or damage seem minor, it is best to consult a lawyer anyway because some injuries may be more severe than you and your doctor initially thought.
