Car accidents happen all time. According to Drivers Knowledge, six million car accidents are reported every year. Of these accidents, three million people are injured, and 90 people die in car accidents every day.
Injuries are common during a car accident, and it is also common to suffer emotional trauma after the accident. In addition, your car will likely be damaged. If your injuries are severe enough to keep you out of work, you will have no money coming in until you return to work. Since the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve to be compensated. A car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you aren’t sure if you need to hire a car accident attorney, you should understand the benefits of having an attorney in your corner.
Knowledge Of Potential Damages
Making a call to your insurance company is essential after a car accident; however, you also need to call an attorney to help determine if you have a case and the amount of compensation you deserve. You are entitled to payment for your medical bills, mental trauma, pain and suffering, damage to your vehicle, and lost wages while you are healing, and an attorney can determine what you are owed.
Negotiating
Shortly after the accident, the insurance for the responsible party will call you with a settlement offer. The call will usually come before you know the full extent of your injuries, and the settlement offer will be much less than what you deserve.
If you hire a car accident attorney, they can handle the negotiation process for you. According to the Bureau Of Justice Statistics, 96 percent of car accident claims are settled out of court. If you have an attorney fighting for you, they can negotiate the best offer possible.
Keep You Updated
Healing from a car accident and worrying about your finances can be stressful. Not knowing what is going on with your case can be even more stressful, and fortunately, your attorney can help. They can give you regular updates regarding the court date and the evidence they have in your favor. Your attorney will understand the pain and stress you are experiencing and will do whatever they can to keep you updated, which can help ease some of your stress.
Case Preparation
If negotiations fail, your case will go to court before a judge and jury. This is where you really need help. An attorney can prepare the strongest case possible in a few different ways.
- Getting a copy of the accident report
- Photographing the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Getting copies of your medical records
- Proof of lost wages from your employer
- Checking the driving record of the responsible party
Your attorney will gather all the evidence necessary to help you win your case.
Court Representation
Your attorney will be by your side the day of the trial. They will give an opening statement, present the evidence to the court, and question witnesses on your behalf. They will also cross-examine witnesses for the responsible party and give a closing statement. If your case goes to court, you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side.
After a car accident, you should call a car accident attorney right away. If you have an attorney when the insurance company for the responsible party calls, you can direct them to your attorney. In addition, you don’t need to worry about how to pay for an attorney. Most car accident attorneys only charge if you win, so there is no risk for you. The sooner you make the call, the better your chances are of being fairly compensated.