If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we understand what you’re going through right now. Even a minor “fender bender” can be traumatic depending on the circumstances. Serious accidents are even more traumatizing, especially if you’ve suffered significant injuries. Not only do you have to look out for your health and possibly the health of your passengers, but you also have to deal with medical bills and a convoluted healthcare system.
In addition to dealing with trauma and medical issues, there are legal issues to handle. This is one area where you shouldn’t go it alone. Attorneys attend school, pass licensing exams, and use years of experience to handle car accident cases. A minor legal misstep — like texting the other driver in an accident, “I’m sorry about that” — can cost you. Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you avoid mistakes like this.
An attorney can also guide you and act as a powerful advocate. Often, there are important deadlines related to legal claims. A car accident lawyer can ensure you meet these deadlines and protect your rights. An attorney can also help you receive fair compensation if someone else is at fault.
Determining the Amount of Compensation
After a car accident, a standard first step is to file a claim with your insurance company. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are focused on profitability and are highly motivated to minimize compensation given to accident victims. Effectively dealing with insurance companies is one of the reasons people hire car accident lawyers.
A major car accident typically leads to several different kinds of loss. Vehicle repairs are almost always involved. Medical costs can include doctor’s appointments, medical procedures, prescription drugs, and medical devices. You also may be unable to work because of injury or have decreased earning ability. For some people, a major car accident causes long-term pain and suffering.
Attorneys understand that the amount and type of compensation to which a victim is entitled can change over time. Medical expenses can increase exponentially, as can pain and suffering. Car accident victims are also entitled to lost wages, property damages, and more. An experienced car accident lawyer can help their clients understand what they might be owed and secure the appropriate compensation for their situation.
Explaining Settlement Options
Some people may hesitate to contact an attorney because they don’t want to deal with a long, drawn-out court case. However, most car accident cases are settled out of court, and trying to get the best settlement possible is a big reason why people hire a car accident lawyer.
Insurance companies for at-fault drivers will typically try to head off any negotiations by providing unsuspecting claimants with a lowball offer. They also push back against legitimate claims made by people without legal representation.
Rather than going up against an insurance provider on your own, a car accident attorney can help you figure out a potential settlement. If you choose to accept an offer, you won’t be able to take legal action down the road, and an attorney can help you understand if an offer should be considered or if legal action should be pursued.
Establishing Liability
If negotiations with an insurance company don’t work out as you’d like, a car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation in court. Having this option is a big reason why people hire car accident lawyers.
The success or failure of your lawsuit comes down to proving liability. This can be a difficult proposition, even if police reports and eyewitnesses clearly indicate another driver was at fault. Proving liability comes down to establishing four elements of negligence or fault:
- The victim was owed a duty of care
- This duty was breached
- Injuries were sustained
- Personal losses were suffered due to injuries
An attorney will often need to collect evidence to establish these four elements. Evidence can include videos, photos, witness statements, and medical records. An experienced attorney understands how to collect evidence and how do you use it in court to receive proper compensation for their client.
Contact Nix Patterson Today
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you’re likely going to be dealing with huge medical bills and repair costs. You might have insurance companies harassing you, and injuries to deal with. In these situations, don’t go it alone. Turn to car accident lawyers with a proven track record. Turn to Nix Patterson.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any upfront fees or costs. Get started now to find out how we can help.