Car accident injuries cost Americans over $400 billion in 2020. Car accidents can be expensive, which means monetary compensation is oftentimes on the top of people’s minds after they sustain an injury.
When should you call a personal injury attorney after getting in a car accident? What can they do for you and when do they become vital during an accident-related case?
That’s what we’re here to look at today. Read on to find out more about when you should call a personal injury attorney and why they’re important.
What Is a Personal Injury Attorney?
A personal injury attorney is someone who gives legal representation to anyone who’s been in a car accident. They’re experts at determining fault and negligence in personal injury cases.
Because they’re good at dealing with cases related to negligence, personal injury attorneys often deal with cases involving car and truck accidents.
Personal injury lawyers advocate for their clients to get the right compensation that they deserve. They look into your specific case and try to argue on behalf of your case and against the negligence of the other party.
What a Personal Injury Attorney Does
What a personal injury attorney does depends on the specifics of your case. In one case, they might help you gather evidence to build your case against the other party. In another case, they might help prepare your pleadings.
Pleadings are the first steps of any suit. They’re usually documents that outline the position of each party.
Attorneys often work with both your and the other party’s insurance agents to come to agreeable terms. If they think insurance companies aren’t providing the right compensation, they know how to handle the situation.
Personal injury attorneys also write demand letters relevant to your case. Demand letters are documents written by your lawyer demanding someone to take action or cease another action.
Attorneys can also represent you in court if your case ends up going to trial.
Whatever your personal injury attorney needs to do from a legal perspective, they’ll do it. Finding the right one at the right time is therefore crucial to going forward with most car accident cases.
When There’s an Accident Liability Dispute
When getting compensated for your car accident injuries, one party needs to prove that they were sustained because of the negligence of another.
In many cases, the other party disputes any liability. This can delay your personal injury case, which is why you need to consult a personal accident attorney.
Insurance companies cause disputes by denying a claim by citing the interpretation of policy language. They also delay claims by citing an error in a form. By the time you fill out the form again, you’re past the deadline.
Your attorney looks at the details of your car accident and tries to determine who is at fault for what. They’ll then create a legal strategy to prove your side of the case.
When There’s Blame for Injury
Car accidents are anything but simple, meaning that the other party might put partial blame on you. If you were in an accident, even if the other party accepts liability, they might point out that you were partially in the wrong.
Whether it’s because you were speeding or in the wrong lane, the other party will try to put the blame on you. If that happens, it’s time to get a personal injury attorney to sort things out.
These claims often end up being false, so an attorney sifts through the details and proves them wrong. Otherwise, you’ll be losing out on a big part of your compensation.
When Multiple People Are Involved
Many car accidents don’t just involve you, the other party, and the insurance company. Maybe there were multiple vehicles. Maybe the accident occurred due to a car’s product liability.
When your car accident case begins to get extremely complicated, an attorney can help you out by sorting out these little details. They’ll mediate discussions and organize your side of the case if need be.
If there are more parties involved, there’s the potential for more compensation. A personal injury attorney fights for your behalf so you get as much money back for your injury as you can.
When There’s a Traumatic Injury
Personal or traumatic injuries are unfortunately too common after a car accident. They have lots of expensive and grueling long-term implications. Getting a lawyer, therefore, becomes paramount when dealing with this.
A traumatic or long-term injury costs you quite a bit in medical bills, but it might also prevent you from working like you used to. An attorney tries to secure financial and medical compensation to keep you healthy.
They’ll provide the maximum value for your claim since you’ll be unable to go about your life as you once had. Having an attorney in your corner here improve the chances of getting properly compensated quite a bit.
When Insurance Companies Act in Bad Faith
It may not surprise you that insurance companies try to pay the other party as little as they possibly can.
Insurance companies often drag cases out so that the statute of limitations eventually runs out, which is about two years in California. This means you won’t be able to file a proper car accident injury case.
They can also fail to investigate a case properly. Insurance companies also provide a lot of paperwork that might hinder or confuse the overall case.
A personal injury attorney makes sure that the record is set straight and that the insurance company pays what you are due. They’ll organize all the paperwork needed and will look at your rights to secure a claim.
Getting a Personal Injury Attorney
Securing a personal injury attorney is all about timing. The sooner you get on by your side, the better. Use this guide to help you find the best personal injury attorney at just the right time.
Are you looking for a personal injury attorney to assist you in your claims? Contact us today.
