Legal Areas
Car Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been in a car accident, the law may offer you a path to compensation through the help of experienced car accident attorneys. Car accident cases can be complicated by highly-specific restrictions and challenges, so it’s important that you consult with skilled car accident lawyers for guidance. If you’d like to learn more about how to effectively navigate a car accident dispute, read on! We’ll explore some of the basics
What to do after a car accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident, there are several important steps to take:
1. Secure emergency medical assistance if necessary: Even if there are no obvious and immediate injuries, it’s crucial to get checked by a medical professional.
2. Provide the necessary information to law enforcement so that a police report can be made.
3. Obtain the contact information and insurance information of the other driver(s).
4. Obtain the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
5. Avoid extensive conversation with the other driver(s), their insurance adjusters, or anyone else to avoid accidentally disclosing sensitive information that could undermine your case.
6. Take photos/videos of your injuries and of the accident scene in general.
7. Consult an attorney as soon as possible.
How much compensation can you get for a car accident?
Compensation for car accident claims works similarly to any other personal injury dispute. You are entitled to compensation for claimable losses suffered as a result of the car accident. The potentially claimable losses include:
– Lost wages
– Loss of earning capacity
– Medical expenses (i.e., medical bills for medical treatment)
– Loss of property
– Pain and suffering
– Loss of companionship
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– And more
Compensation can vary significantly from case to case. For example, your lost wages claim might be minimal if you are unemployed at the time of the accident. On the other hand, if you are gainfully employed and are forced to take time off from work to recover from your injuries, your lost wages claim is likely to be significant. Given the variation in damages from case to case and how a strong damages claim has to be built up strategically based on the evidence, it’s important to consult skilled car accident lawyers who have the know-how and experience to help you maximize your overall compensation.
How much compensation can you get for a car accident?
Compensation for car accident claims works similarly to any other personal injury dispute. You are entitled to compensation for claimable losses suffered as a result of the car accident. The potentially claimable losses include:
– Lost wages
– Loss of earning capacity
– Medical expenses (i.e., medical bills for medical treatment)
– Loss of property
– Pain and suffering
– Loss of companionship
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– And more
Compensation can vary significantly from case to case. For example, your lost wages claim might be minimal if you are unemployed at the time of the accident. On the other hand, if you are gainfully employed and are forced to take time off from work to recover from your injuries, your lost wages claim is likely to be significant. Given the variation in damages from case to case and how a strong damages claim has to be built up strategically based on the evidence, it’s important to consult skilled car accident lawyers who have the know-how and experience to help you maximize your overall compensation.
How do car accident settlements work?
The majority of disputes, including in car accident cases, are resolved through settlement, not trial litigation. In fact, industry observers estimate that as much as 95 percent of personal injury disputes conclude in a settlement compromise. Negotiating with the insurance company is a critical part of reaching a settlement in car accident cases. Why?
Trial litigation tends to be:
– Uncertain
– Public
– Expensive/resource-intensive
– Exhausting
– And more
As a result, most parties prefer a settlement rather than pushing forward to trial. Due to the innate uncertainty of trial litigation, parties like to use settlement negotiations as a way of pre-determining a “fair” amount without the hassle of trial. To determine a fair settlement amount, the parties will generally evaluate the “likelihood of success at trial” in securing the desired compensation.
What is comparative negligence in a car accident case?
Depending on the state law, your own partial contribution of fault will apply to your car accident cases in different ways. In some states, the doctrine of “pure comparative negligence” applies. Under pure comparative negligence, you’re entitled to sue and recover damages even if you are 99 percent at fault for your own injuries. That being said, your damages recovery will be reduced by your percentage contribution of fault.
In some states, the doctrine of “modified comparative negligence” applies. This works mostly the same as pure comparative negligence, except that you’ll be prevented from recovering any compensation if you’re 51 percent or more at fault.
In a few states, the doctrine of “strict contributory negligence” applies. Under strict contributory negligence, you’re not entitled to damages if you are partially at fault, even if you are just 1 percent at fault. This is quite restrictive, but you can circumvent this restriction by showing that your “contribution of fault” is not actually causally linked to the injuries you suffered in the car accident.
How long after a car accident can you file claims?
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to make a claim after a car accident. In every jurisdiction, there is a “statute of limitations” deadline that applies to your car accident injury claims. This deadline is strict and can vary anywhere from six months to three or four years after the date of injury, depending on the nature of the claim and the jurisdictional law that applies to the claim. If you fail to bring a lawsuit by the deadline, courts can and will dismiss your claims as they will deem them abandoned or relinquished under the law. This can prevent you from securing compensation for your losses. Given the consequences of an untimely claim, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney at an early stage in your dispute. Attorneys have a legal duty to handle your case in a timely manner.
Contact Claim Your Accident for a Free Legal Consultation
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to make a claim after a car accident. In every jurisdiction, there is a “statute of limitations” deadline that applies to your car accident injury claims. This deadline is strict and can vary anywhere from six months to three or four years after the date of injury, depending on the nature of the claim and the jurisdictional law that applies to the claim. If you fail to bring a lawsuit by the deadline, courts can and will dismiss your claims as they will deem them abandoned or relinquished under the law. This can prevent you from securing compensation for your losses. Given the consequences of an untimely claim, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney at an early stage in your dispute. Attorneys have a legal duty to handle your case in a timely manner.
How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Is It Worth Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer?
Yes! Typically, car accidents settle long before they ever go to trial. However, auto accident attorneys play a significant role in negotiating settlements and getting victims the maximum amount of compensation. They can also take your case to trial if this is the best way forward. Most importantly, car accident lawyers understand how this complex area of law works. They can make the most of the evidence available and help you build the strongest possible case.
How Does A Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Key Responsibilities Of A Car Accident Lawyer Include:
- Investigating the facts of the case
- Gathering and preserving evidence for trial
- Serving as a “communication middleman”
- Identifying eyewitnesses
- Collaborating with expert witnesses
- Developing a comprehensive legal strategy
- Negotiating a potential settlement
- Reacting dynamically to changing circumstances
Getting Compensation
The ultimate goal of a personal injury attorney is to secure compensation for their client’s losses, caused by the accident, crash, or collision at-hand. These losses may include:
- Wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property loss
- And more.
How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Contingency Fee Arrangements And Free Consultations
You may be wondering, how much will it cost to hire a car accident attorney? After all, you may not have a lot of money to pay an attorney. Not a problem. Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing unless and until you “win” the case and obtain compensation. There are no upfront costs. Put simply, the attorney will represent you for free. They will cover out-of-pocket expenses, like: medical expenses, and costs of litigation, like: working with expert witnesses and investigators, building the case, and so on. Over time, this can add up. Your motor vehicle crash attorney may put in hundreds of thousands of dollars of work for free! But why? Contingency fees make it easier for injured plaintiffs to secure quality legal representation. In exchange, the plaintiff will have to give a percentage of their recovery wins over to the attorney. For example, if your attorney settles your car accident case for $200,000, they may take $50,000 in contingency fees, and leave you with a final recovery of $150,000. This dynamic is advantageous for the plaintiff. Not only do you pay no upfront costs, but it also incentivizes the attorney to work efficiently and to maximize your overall compensation. The more that your attorney can secure on your behalf, the more they get paid. It’s a win-win situation. Most car accident attorneys also provide lawyer consultations free of charge. This can help you understand whether you have an actionable claim, and whether you’d like to move forward with your case. There is no barrier to entry, so make sure to contact an accident attorney to get started on next steps.
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions! However, it’s a hard question to answer without knowing the facts of your case. When you hire a car accident attorney, they will consider the evidence to determine how much your case may be worth. The value of your claim dictates the damages, or compensation, you might claim. Damages are based on, for example, who was at fault, your injuries, property damage, whether you’ve had time off work, and whether you have long-term care needs.
Working With An Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
If you have a car accident, hire a motor vehicle accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Why? Well, it’s not just about moving on with your life – although this is also important. There are practical reasons why you should hire motor vehicle accident lawyers sooner rather than later.
- Accident Case Investigation
- Preventing Problematic Disclosures
- Statute of Limitation Issues
Do I Need A Lawyer For Car Accidents?
Though you can “attempt” to handle a car accident dispute on your own, it is a genuinely horrible idea. From a legal perspective, you must understand: as an accident victim, you are surrounded by enemies. Defendants can be hostile, and even if they are “friendly” they are unlikely to give you exactly what you want. Insurance companies and insurance adjusters are not your allies. If you try to secure an insurance payout, you’ll find: That they outright reject your claim for damages, or That they undermine your accident claim and try to pay you as little as possible. That’s where your auto accident attorney comes in. They will handle the case from start-to-finish and advocate relentlessly on your behalf, all to secure maximum possible compensation.
Finding The Right Attorney
So you know that you need an accident lawyer, but how do you find the right car accident lawyer to fit your needs? Here are some tips to make the best decision possible:
- Ask for an attorney
- Understand the fee structure
- Experience matters
- Go through a free consultation
- Choosing between a large firm or small firm of car accident lawyers
What If My Case Seems Too Small For An Attorney To Take?
You should still contact a car accident lawyer anyway. They will consider your case and determine if there’s enough evidence to prove your claim. Since most attorneys for vehicle accidents are paid a percentage, some won’t accept cases for auto accidents where the settlement amount is relatively small. Every car accident attorney has overhead costs, after all, and they may feel that the investment is not enough to make the case worthwhile. Fortunately, most cases can be “worked” up to a reasonable level. If a car accident attorney is unwilling to do that, you may want to explore hiring a different accident lawyer.
What Should I Bring To My First Meeting With A Car Accident Lawyer?
The first sit-down meeting with your car accident attorney is important. Create a folder with copies of all documents that you have on-hand relating to the case. This may include police reports, accident descriptions, photos and videos, paycheck stubs, medical bills, and medical records. Be sure to also include any communications that you may have already had with your insurance company. Documents should be organized so that the car accident attorney doesn’t have to shuffle needlessly through materials.
How Do I Know My Car Accident Lawyer Will Approach My Case In The Right Way?
It’s perfectly acceptable to ask your car accident lawyer how they plan on securing maximum compensation in your case. Car lawyers can estimate what your case is worth based on, for example, your injuries and medical bills. They will explain what they think is the best strategy for securing compensation for your car accident. You can ask questions or request that they approach things differently. After all, car accident lawyers are here to serve you. Here’s an example. If you don’t want to go to trial, you can ask your attorney to accept a settlement offer for you instead.
Should I Get A Lawyer For A Car Accident?
Yes, it is absolutely critical that you do so. Otherwise, there’s a chance you might accidentally say something to your insurer which undermines your entire case. An experienced car accident attorney takes the stress out of filing a lawsuit. The best car accident lawyer will: Fully investigate your case, Gather all the evidence they can to support your injury claim, Advocate on your behalf, Negotiate for a fair settlement, Take your car accident case to trial if this is in your best interests. When you hire an attorney, you can focus on moving forward without worrying about legal matters.
Free Consultation With A Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Have you had a car accident? Get a free consultation with an accident lawyer through Claim Your Accident. If you have a case, the attorneys in our network will handle matters for you – and you won’t pay anything unless they secure a settlement for you. There are no downsides to hiring a lawyer after an accident in a car. Get a free consultation now and see how our experienced car crash attorneys can help you today.
