Ten Tips From Auto Accident Attorneys
Ten Tips From Auto Accident Attorneys
Accidents happen. According to the National Safety Council, there are about 10 million car crashes each year in America. From minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries, around one-quarter of all crashes result in a trip to the emergency room. If the accident was not your fault, it is important to explore you legal options as soon as possible. Here are ten tips from auto accident attorneys to help you get the money you need to pay your injuries.1. Go to the hospital. If you have been hurt in an auto collision, it is imperative to seek out medical attention ASAP. Don't worry about your vehicle or about filing a police report until you have seen a doctor. The medical report you will receive at the hospital will also be an invaluable piece of evidence in a future legal claim or lawsuit.
2. File a police report. If you don't have a police report, your chances of successfully pursuing a legal claim are poor. Why? Because the information that's included in the report can be used to establish the other driver's negligence. Without these facts, it's basically a case of he said, she said.
3. Keep all medical records. Since most car crash claims seek restitution for medical expenses, it's important to keep all hospital and doctor bills as evidence of what you owe as a result of the accident.
4. Get repair estimates. If you have been hurt in a crash, odds are your vehicle is also in pretty bad shape. To determine the actual amount of property damage you sustained, it is important to obtain a couple of repair estimates.
5. Don't deal with insurance companies alone. It is not at all uncommon for the injured party to be contacted by the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. They may even make you an initial offer to try to settle the matter before it becomes a legal claim or lawsuit. Although negotiating with insurers is part of the process, you should have auto accident attorneys do the haggling for you.
6. Don't sign anything without legal advice. In order to receive what you are owed, lawyers for the at-fault driver may ask you sign documents or contracts that release their client from liability. You should NEVER sign such a form without speaking to a lawyer about its legal ramifications.
7. Don't delay. Depending on the laws of your state, you might not have much time to file a legal claim or lawsuit. That is why auto accident attorneys strongly suggest that you get organized before the statute of limitations has expired.
8. Don't settle on your own. While it may be tempting to save some coin by negotiating your own settlement, odds are it won't work out in your favor. Experienced attorneys have the knowledge and skill to get you a significantly higher settlement.
9. Find the right lawyer. There are many types of personal injury lawyers who specialize in different kinds of cases. Some might focus on slip and fall cases, while others concentrate on medical malpractice. If you were hurt in a car crash, you want an attorney who knows how to investigate and pursue these kinds of cases.
10. Discuss all fees and costs with your lawyer. While it is true that almost all auto accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, their fees may vary based on what they are asked to do. For example, they may receive a much higher percentage of the final settlement should the case go to trial. As such, it is important to discuss all fees in your initial consultation with prospective attorneys.
Knowing When To Call: Should You Contact an Auto Accident Attorney?
Car crashes are the leading cause of injury in the United States. More than 2.5 million Americans require medical attention due to auto accidents each year. Of that number, about ten percent, or 250,000 people, are hospitalized. On average, hospitalization costs amount to nearly $60,000 over a lifetime for these patients. In addition to the more than $18 billion in total medical costs related to car crashes, these accidents also result in an estimated $33 billion in lost work hours.Legal Action
As devastating as those losses may be for the nation, they can be almost insurmountable for the average accident victim. The inability to work while hospital bills mount can put nearly anyone in debt in a matter of months. Even if the crash was not your fault, you may find yourself at the mercy of powerful auto insurance providers who want to pay you as little as humanly possible to cover your injuries. The best way to recoup those expenses is often to hire a reputable auto accident attorney.
When To Call
If you have been hurt in a car crash that was not your fault, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Whether the collision caused broken bones, a head injury, or internal damage, it is important to explore your legal options as soon as possible. Failure to do so in a timely matter could make it harder for you to recover the money you are owed. The reason for this is simple: the other side is probably already exploring their legal options. In most cases, that other side will be the insurance provider for the at-fault driver. Because their goal is always to pay as little as possible on claims, they won't make it easy for you to recover the money you rightly deserve.
The Benefits
Like most potential lawsuits, the overwhelming majority of car crash injury claims are settled before they go to court. While it is possible for victims to negotiate a settlement with the other driver's insurance provider, it rarely works out well. Why? Because attorneys who work for insurers are some of the best negotiators in the legal field. Only a reputable auto accident attorney has the knowledge and experience to confront them directly. He or she can often use the threat of a lawsuit to force a favorable settlement.
A good attorney may even be able to arrange compensation for general damages such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. Many people with claims simply accept the first settlement offer they receive because they don't have the confidence or experience needed to haggle with a seasoned attorney. That is why reputable lawyers consistently receive much higher settlements than ordinary citizens who foolishly try to deal with insurance providers on their own. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.