A car accident just injured you. Now what? Most people will recommend you speak to a Bronx car accident lawyer, and with good reason. However, even with trusted recommendations, you might wonder whether you truly need to seek legal representation for your claim.
If you never dealt with an attorney, or this is your first time handling a collision claim, it’s normal to wonder what a lawyer can do for you and your case.
In short, a car accident attorney can do plenty for your claim, and accomplish much more than you can do on your own. Their education and experience make them the best possible ally in your legal fight.
After a crash, you have limited time; therefore, do not wait to speak with a car accident attorney. Continue reading to learn more about collisions and discover how a car accident lawyer can work for you.
How Do Car Accidents Happen?
No matter how safe of a driver you are, other drivers and their dangerous driving behaviors can quickly cause collisions, resulting in substantial damage and injuries.
Auto accidents can happen for many reasons.
Some of the negligent behaviors often resulting in collisions include:
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Unsafe turns and lane changes
- Fatigued driving
- Driving while under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield
Additionally, accidents can happen due to defective cars or auto parts or even dangerous construction and road conditions.
One of the most important parts of a collision claim is determining the cause of your accident. Once you know how your crash occurred, it’s easier to determine who you can hold responsible.
Injuries Often Resulting from Car Accidents
Aside from property damage, collisions regularly result in injuries. Injuries range in severity, depending on the specifics of your accident.
Some of the injuries most common in car crashes include:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Not only do car accident victims need to deal with their injuries, but also their potential complications. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, it is not uncommon to face subsequent cognitive issues, physical impairments, and mental traumas, among many others.
When you sustain injuries in a car accident, you may have the opportunity to pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing your collision. Obtaining fair monetary recovery can significantly help lessen the financial burden victims often experience after an accident.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, at least one person has probably advised you to talk to a lawyer. This is excellent advice.
Endless reasons exist to consult a lawyer after a collision. After an accident, you’re already dealing with enough as it is. You may need to recover from injuries, cannot work, and feel physical and mental stress. When a lawyer steps in, you can feel confident knowing you have the best ally on your side.
After a Collision, What Can a Lawyer Do For Me?
A car accident attorney can do plenty for you after a collision. You will not have to worry about what you should do legally, as your attorney will handle everything for you. Below are some of the most important ways a car accident lawyer can benefit your situation and case.
Help You Understand Your Rights and Options
It’s common to feel lost and unsure after a car accident, especially if it is your first time. You may have no idea what your rights are as a car accident victim or what options you have when it comes to your claim.
When you speak to a car accident attorney during your initial consultation, your lawyer does not expect you to know anything, and that’s completely acceptable. You can rely on your attorney to review the details of your case, explain your rights, and give you options regarding your path moving forward.
Provide Much-Needed Guidance Throughout the Process
You can view your personal injury attorney as a guide from beginning to end. Going through a collision claim is not always simple or easy, and it can get confusing. Fortunately, your lawyer can see you through even the toughest moments, giving you updates and information whenever needed.
Regardless of where you are in the claim process, you can rely on your lawyer to be there for you. From getting answers to your most important questions to receiving advice or an encouraging word, your attorney is available for you every step of the way.
Handle Every Aspect of Your Case
When it comes to car accident claims, there are several moving parts. The good news: when you have a personal injury attorney, you don’t have to worry about handling any of them.
From the onset of your case, your attorney will hit the ground running, working to file your claim and get the ball rolling on pursuing justice and compensation.
The essential parts of a collision claim your car accident attorney can take on include:
- Filing a collision claim with the insurance: Your case may begin by filing a collision claim with the car insurance company, whether your own or the at-fault driver’s. Your lawyer can file and manage your claim.
- Communicating with the insurance company: Car accident attorneys are well-versed in communicating with insurance companies and dealing with the challenges they will present throughout your case.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit: If your case requires taking legal action, your lawyer can draft all necessary documentation and file it in court to initiate your lawsuit.
- Gathering evidence: You need evidence in your car accident claim. Your attorney can request and obtain relevant evidence to strengthen your case, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
- Determining the value of your case: To collect fair compensation, you must know what your injuries and losses are worth. Your car accident lawyer can review the details of your case to assign a proper monetary value to your claim.
- Proving fault: Establishing fault and proving it is crucial to successfully pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Your lawyer can show how the other party caused your accident.
- Engaging in settlement negotiations: Settlement negotiations are often a vital component of car accident claims. During negotiations, your attorney can work with the other side to get you the best possible outcome.
- Going to trial: Not all car accident cases go to trial. However, if your car accident lawyer determines settling is not in your best interest and going to trial may fare better, they can present your case and represent you in court.
During your case, your lawyer will complete many tasks to get the best possible resolution for your case.
Help Prevent the Insurance Company From Taking Advantage of You
One thing is almost always certain: the insurance company will employ tactics to limit their liability, avoid paying out, or take advantage of you in some way.
Insurance companies as a whole are synonymous with being difficult and frustrating to deal with, and this is most certainly true when it comes to auto insurers.
Insurers hold onto their money as tightly as possible, so they’ll try anything to keep from paying you what they owe you. To accomplish this, insurance companies and their lawyers use some tried and true methods.
In the days following your car accident, the other party’s insurer may contact you asking for a statement. They make it seem as though they just want to ask some questions and get your side of the story. However, they really hope to use your statement, or some part of it, against you.
Insurers also try to settle quickly, often before you even have a lawyer or understand how much your case is worth. They do this hoping the moment you see a dollar amount on paper, you’ll agree and finish your claim. The problem is, when you agree to settle, you’re forfeiting your right to further compensation, and they know this. Typically, these rapid settlements don’t even begin to cover your losses.
Car accident attorneys know all too well how insurance companies operate. When you have a lawyer on your side, you don’t have to worry about the insurance company. They know an attorney will never allow them to get away with what they might otherwise.
Give You the Best Chance of Obtaining Favorable Compensation
When you choose to handle your collision claim alone, you’re taking a chance for many reasons. For these reasons, you may not have a full understanding of how much your claim is worth. When you don’t know the full value of your case, you’ll likely end up settling for much less than you should.
Your car accident lawyer conducts a thorough investigation to obtain answers regarding your collision and understand the extent of your injuries and losses. With this information, they can assign a monetary value to your case. When your attorney knows how much your case is worth, they won’t stop until they reach the fairest possible settlement.
To seek full financial recovery for your damages, hire a lawyer to fight to get it for you.
Provide Peace of Mind and Allow You to Focus on Your Life
Life often gets stressful after a car accident. The frustration over your physical injuries and subsequent financial burdens can be all-consuming and overwhelming. No one understands this better than a car accident lawyer.
When you hire an attorney, you’re not only investing in your future but also in your current peace of mind. A lawyer can do all the heavy lifting for you while you focus exclusively on what matters most, including your physical recovery and family.
After a Collision, When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
After an accident, speak with a skilled car accident lawyer as soon as you possibly can.
The sooner you consult an attorney, the quicker they can provide advice and guidance and start working on your case. But most importantly, hiring a lawyer expeditiously can help avoid missing the statute of limitations.
A statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a lawsuit. Statutes of limitations for car accident claims typically range from two to four years, depending on state law.
Should you miss the window and fail to file your claim on time, you forfeit your chance to obtain fair compensation altogether. Therefore, start moving on your collision claim as quickly as possible, should you need to file a lawsuit.
Consulting a car accident lawyer soon after your collision gives your attorney enough time to handle your case properly and file your lawsuit timely.
After a Car Wreck, Speak with a Qualified Car Accident Attorney Right Away
The first conversation with a car accident lawyer is one of the most important ones you’ll ever have. As soon as possible after a collision, take the first step toward securing favorable compensation and consult an attorney.
A personal injury attorney can do more for you than you can do for yourself when it comes to collision claims. Call a car accident lawyer near you today.
