If you have recently been involved in a car accident and are struggling to pay the bills, it may be time to call an auto accident attorney to discuss your case. The injuries and damages resulting from a car crash can be financially devastating without proper legal representation, even if you were not at fault for the accident. An auto accident attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve from the insurance companies, assemble evidence on your behalf, and assist with proving the opposing party’s fault or negligence.
Fair compensation for the damages and injuries from a car accident is often challenging to understand and quantify. Many drivers are not fully aware of their rights after an accident and may accept a settlement far below the value of their case. Be careful when speaking with another person involved in the accident or the insurance adjusters- what you say can affect the outcome of your case.
If your injuries from an accident where you weren’t at fault are difficult to pay for, it’s time to call for legal assistance. If your injuries have prevented you from going to work or receiving regular wages, it’s time to schedule a consultation with an attorney. An experienced accident injury lawyer will access your case to determine its value and provide you with appropriate next steps.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Immediately after a collision, check to make sure you and your passengers were not injured. Safety should always be a top priority, and seeking medical attention when necessary can be critically important. If you can, move your car out of the middle of the road or onto the shoulder. Do not open the car door until you are 100% sure it is safe to do so- this is particularly important for accidents that occur on the highway. If you are unsure, stay in your vehicle. Then, call 911 to notify them of the accident and if anyone needs medical attention.
The next thing to do immediately after the accident is to exchange insurance information with the other driver (or drivers) involved in the crash. You may also want to gather phone numbers or other contact information for following up after the accident. Next, gather evidence of the scene- take photos if possible and record license plate numbers.
The evidence gathered after an accident can provide substantial support for your case in the negotiations process or in the event that your case goes to court. After the police arrive and access the accident, you will receive a police report that can act as additional evidence for your case. The police report can essentially serve as an account of the accident but from a third party. Police reports often include statements from others who witnessed the accident. Next, it’s time to look into calling a personal injury lawyer.
What Situations Require an Auto Accident Attorney?
An accident injury attorney can provide legal assistance and advice in a few scenarios. If you aren’t sure what the right course of action is, it’s often better to consult a lawyer or schedule a consultation. Most accident injury lawyers provide free consultations and can help you to determine how you should proceed.
The Other Driver Was At Fault or Negligent
Fault in a car or truck accident case is assigned when someone is directly liable for causing the accident. Understanding who is at fault for an accident is often critical to the success or failure of car accident injury cases and directly impacts the value of the final settlement. If you think another driver in the accident could be found at fault for the accident’s related damages and injuries, calling a personal injury is often the best course of action.
Fault is not always a simple concept assigned to a single driver- sometimes, both drivers involved in an accident are liable for causing the accident and can therefore both be found at fault. In this case, each driver is said to be partially at fault. If a driver had the opportunity to take action to prevent the accident from occurring but did not do so, they may be considered negligent and therefore partially or fully at fault. Negligence and fault are often legally complex- you may want to check out this article for additional information on understanding these terms.
Your Insurance Company Payout Does Not Cover Medical Expenses
If your car or medical insurance coverage does not adequately cover the injuries that occurred as a result of the car accident, it may be time to call a personal injury lawyer. Not all insurance policies are created equal- you’ll need to check the terms and conditions of your policy. Many insurance providers will not pay the insured if they are found to be at fault. If your insurance provider is not providing proper financial support based on the terms of your policy, it’s time to contact a personal injury lawyer.
A Subrogation Claim is Filed Against You
If you’ve recently won a car accident injury case and received a settlement, your insurance provider has the right to pursue reimbursement for its initial payout through subrogation. Subrogation and subrogation waivers often come up in the terms of an insurance policy- you check with your insurance provider to get more information on their right to pursue.
Subrogation is another complex legal term that a personal injury lawyer can help you understand as it pertains to your case. However, there is plenty of information on subrogation available online to get you started. If you think that your insurance provider or the insurance adjustor is pursuing too much of your injury settlement, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer so they can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
How Much Does an Auto Accident Attorney Cost?
Most accident injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if and when you win a settlement from the opposing party. This fee is typically a percentage of your settlement, which means that you won’t lose the settlement to legal fees. The initial meeting with most accident attorneys is free, which means there is no risk to scheduling a consultation to discuss your case today.