No one plans to get in a car accident, but they are an unfortunate reality for many people each day. When it happens, you may suddenly find yourself faced with many questions. If you’re injured, you may have questions about getting the care you need and affording it. You may have questions about the damage to your car. Any questions you have about dealing with the insurance companies will also be particularly pressing. One of the first questions you’ll need to answer for yourself, though, is whether or not you need to retain a lawyer. Having an understanding of what a car accident lawyer does can help you answer that question.
Maximizing Compensation
Sometimes policies don’t cover everything and may not account for pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, or the ongoing medical expenses you may encounter. Having a lawyer who can get you the maximum amount of compensation possible can help you achieve your situation’s best result. A car accident law firm will gather the necessary documentation to present your case to the insurance companies and, if necessary, in court. Having accurate, quality documentation for your case can help raise a strong one to maximize your compensation. To that end, an experienced car accident attorney will know what sort of documentation is needed and can advise you on what type of records to keep.
Navigating Medical and Technical Issues
It can feel like there’s a lot of red tape and hoops to jump through when it comes to dealing with insurance companies and medical treatments after a car accident. Between injuries, vehicle damage, stress, missed work, and other potential complications, you have a lot on your plate. Having to navigate medical and technical issues, especially those involving payment for medical care, can distract from your essential recovery process. An experienced car accident lawyer will be familiar with what injuries are typical, the costs that are often associated, and how to navigate the technical issues related to handling bills. They can negotiate with healthcare providers to allow you to receive care and temporarily suspend billing while your case is ongoing.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Don’t be fooled by your own insurance company (or the other driver’s) into thinking that they have your best interests at heart. Generally speaking, insurance companies are in business for themselves. They aren’t a charity. They exist to make a profit. One way they stay profitable is by paying out as little as they can get away with. Having a lawyer negotiating on your behalf can help you reach a fair settlement. Beyond that, unless you’re experienced when dealing with insurance companies yourself, it’s easy to make a mistake and say something that could damage your case. When you retain a car accident lawyer, they handle all the communications with both insurance companies. An experienced car accident lawyer will know what sort of information is essential or even necessary to disclose and what things are better left unsaid. They will also present your case and demand compensation beyond what insurance policies typically cover to the insurance company. It’s a lot harder to say “no” to a lawyer than it is to a policyholder since they know that means that down the road, they are likely to go to court as a result.
Going to Court
Most of the time, your suit won’t go to court. In all likelihood, the insurance company will want to settle the case outside of court because they don’t want to be perceived as bullying the little guy.
If you do end up needing to go to court to fight for what you deserve, having a car accident lawyer on your side will be essential. You want someone on your side who is knowledgeable about the law and how to present your case in the best light.
Car accidents can be life-changing events for those involved in them, and not usually for the better. You may be left permanently injured or with ongoing medical bills that you need to pay for somehow. It’s challenging to know the extent of an accident’s impact on your life. Having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can help. At a minimum, have a consultation to go over your case and get a feel for what you might expect if you do decide to retain a car accident lawyer.
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