An auto accident can have devastating consequences for everyone involved. Whether you were one of the drivers involved or simply a pedestrian or bicyclist, a car accident can affect you physically, mentally, and financially. You deserve a fair resolution to your auto accident experience, and an auto accident attorney can help you attain it. Here are five things that an attorney practicing this area of law can do for you:
1. Advise you on the ideal course of action.
After a car accident, you may feel confused and shaken up. It's not unusual for people to make common missteps that can weaken their legal case, especially when they're still reeling from a collision. When you first speak to an auto accident attorney, they will ask you for an overview of the incident. Based on the information you provide, an auto accident attorney will let you know if they believe you have a reasonable claim. This initial determination will save you time in the long run since a good lawyer won't encourage you to pursue a case they don't believe you can win.
2. Support your claim.
A legal claim is your assertion that you're entitled to something from the opposing party. In the case of an auto accident, a claim is usually an assertion that you're owed compensation for auto repairs, medical bills, or mental hardship resulting from the collision. An auto accident attorney's job is to support your claim in a court of law. To achieve this end, your attorney will search for evidence to bolster your claim. This can include photos of any vehicles involved in the accident, medical records, and testimonies from witnesses.
3. Correspond with auto insurance companies.
Automobile accidents are complicated situations because they involve many different parties. You and the other people involved in the collision are the most immediately impacted, but car insurance companies also have a stake in the outcome of collisions. Many insurance companies will try to deny claims if possible. Interacting with insurance companies can be stressful, but an auto accident attorney can help. Your attorney can call and email insurance companies on your behalf. Their legal expertise will ensure that you get the fairest deal from auto insurance providers.
4. Seek an agreeable settlement.
In most cases, a settlement is the best outcome. A settlement means that both sides agree to an amount of monetary compensation to be delivered without a court trial. Settlements save everyone involved time and money since it means you won't have to pay for court fees or additional hourly fees for your attorney. An auto accident attorney will speak to the other party or their attorney to work out a settlement. They will try to get you the greatest amount of compensation possible.
5. Represent your claim in a court of law.
Sometimes, reaching a settlement is impossible. If the opposing party refuses to settle, your lawyer will help you make your case in court. Unlike traffic court, which does not include jurors, the outcome of an auto accident case will be decided by a jury, according to NOLO. Your attorney will make your case using a combination of facts and persuasive rhetoric. Hiring an auto accident attorney will give you a greater chance of a favorable outcome than trying to represent yourself in court.
If you were involved in an auto accident and believe you have a claim, an auto accident attorney can help you through your next steps. They will elucidate the process for you, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. An attorney can help you get the money you need to rebuild your life following an auto collision.
Someone else does something silly. You get hurt and incur thousands of dollars' worth of medical bills, and you're also forced to take a month off from work. It doesn't really sound fair, does it? It's not. But luckily, there is a way you can ensure the responsible party ends up paying for your expenses, and that's by hiring a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can file a civil suit against the person who caused your injuries, so you can get paid what you deserve.
Learn more about personal injury attorneys and the work they do right here. When you're injured due to someone else's actions, this information will come in really handy.