You were in a car crash and were clearly not at fault. Do you still an attorney? Can’t you just represent yourself?
A lack of blame for a car collision may seem like an easy case that would not require help from a car accident lawyer or law firm.
But a lawyer can still prove advantageous and beneficial for several reasons. A personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney can help by:
- allowing you to focus on your health,
- gathering evidence on your behalf,
- filing and negotiating a car accident claim with an insurer,
- filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, and
- maximizing your final payout.
1. Can a car accident lawyer help improve your health?
While an attorney does not provide direct medical care, he/she can help you improve your health if you suffered a car accident injury.
An auto accident attorney can step in and manage the legal side of your car accident from the moment he/she takes on your case.
This means you have extra time to:
- focus on your health and medical attention,
- attend medical appointments, and
- recover from your injuries.
A personal injury attorney can also help you arrange for doctor’s appointments and manage your overall treatment.
2. Can an attorney help car accident victims gather evidence?
Yes. An important role of an injury lawyer is to help clients gather evidence of an accident.
For example, an experienced attorney can help by:
- taking pictures of an accident scene,
- collecting statements from witnesses,
- getting a police report (if one was made),
- appointing experts to analyze the facts of your case and/or details of your serious injuries, and
- collecting and organizing your medical bills and medical records.
All of this evidence helps support and prove your injury claim or lawsuit.
3. What about auto insurance claims?
A car accident lawyer can file an injury claim with any applicable insurance companies, whether that be:
- your own insurer, or
- the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Once filed, a lawyer can help oversee the claims process and try to negotiate a fair settlement offer with the insurance adjuster.
Note that adjusters often try to lowball your injury claim and nickel and dime you when it comes to reaching a settlement.
Attorneys know the true value of our claim and, as a result, are in a better position to secure a settlement that is in your best interest.
A personal injury lawyer can also review your own car insurance policy to see if you owe your insurer any obligations (like reporting your accident).
4. Can a personal injury lawyer help with a lawsuit?
Yes. If you do not successfully settle an insurance claim, your attorney can file a car accident case/lawsuit against the at-fault motorist.
A suit often involves tight deadlines that have to be met in order for your case to survive. A legal counsel can help ensure that all these deadlines get met.
Legal representation also means that your lawyer can try to negotiate with the opposing counsel to arrive at a fair settlement.
If no settlement is reached, your lawyer can represent you at trial and work to get you fair compensation for your injuries (including compensation for your pain and suffering and lost wages).1
Note also that a state’s statute of limitations usually says that you must file a car accident case within two or three years from the accident date. Your lawyer will work to ensure that you meet this filing requirement.
5. What about maximizing your final payout?
Personal injury lawyers have a good understanding of what your car accident case is worth.
They also know how to find hidden value in a case.
A result is that an auto accident lawyer can help maximize your final compensation. For example, an attorney can make sure you collect all your medical records to ensure you receive compensation for all your medical expenses.
Also note that most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to pay your attorney unless he/she gets you a favorable settlement or award in court.
Legal References:
- Note that to succeed at trial, you will have to prove that the other driver was negligent. Negligence generally means that a driver failed to act as a reasonable and careful driver under similar circumstances. See Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition – “Negligence.” A lawyer is best positioned to help make this showing.
