Last Updated on September 11, 2018
There are two main reasons why you should call a lawyer after a car accident. The first reason is if you were injured due to the other driver’s negligence. If this is the case, you may need a lawyer to help you file a personal injury claim. The second reason you may need a lawyer is if the other party is claiming the accident was your fault, but you feel you don’t deserve all of the blame. In this situation, a good lawyer can help defend you against unfair charges.
After a car crash, many people make the mistake of trying to negotiate with the other party or their insurance company on their own. Many times, they even admit blame for a crash that wasn’t actually their fault. This is why it is best to get an attorney involved in your case if there is a significant potential settlement involved. A good attorney will have an excellent grasp of the local and state laws and have experience with similar cases. As Dallas car accident lawyer Tim Tate explains, if there is a lot of money at stake, you don’t want to be negotiating alone, especially if the other party has acquired legal assistance.
Here are a few things an attorney can help you with if you’ve been in injured in a car crash.
- They can establish and prove liability for your injuries.
One of the trickiest parts of dealing with a car accident is proving who has been negligent and who carries the greater liability. An accomplished accident lawyer will have the know-how and skills to collect the evidence necessary to build a strong case on your behalf. This may include interviewing witnesses, securing an accident report, gathering medical records, reconstructing the scene, and consulting experts to validate how serious your claims are. The requirements for claiming benefits and the list of what qualifies for benefits can vary per state. You need an attorney who knows your local laws and the laws of your state, as they can vary widely.
They can negotiate a fair settlement.
Personal injury lawyers are adept at negotiating settlements in your favor because their previous cases have helped them build expertise in such situations. As the Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys at the Jebaily firm explain, this is important, because you will be up against insurance adjusters, who are highly skilled at settlements and will be trying to get you to accept the lowest settlement possible. Getting a lawyer is especially important if the other party involved in the accident already has one, as you will have a hard time facing a legal expert alone and getting a fair settlement.
- They can file a personal injury lawsuit if needed.
Not all car accident claims end up in court. Most settle through calm negotiations. However, should the tension escalate, you can expect the issue to see its day in court. A key benefit to having a car accident attorney is that these attorneys are generally prepared to take your claim to court if necessary, and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
While there may be cases where you can reach a fair settlement on your own after a car accident, if your insurance adjuster is refusing to offer you a fair settlement, or if the other party is trying to pin all of the blame on you, you should get in touch with a car accident lawyer who can fight for you. As the Sacramento, CA car accident lawyers at the Demas Law Group explain, if you find yourself in a sticky legal situation after a car crash, you really want a professional on your side who can handle the legal side of things, so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and moving forward with your life.