When an accident victim does not have enough money from their no-fault insurance or their injuries exceed their policy limits, they may need to file a lawsuit against the driver. However, proving negligence in a car crash is difficult without proper legal representation.
When selecting an attorney, look for one with experience handling car accident cases. They should also have the resources and network needed to successfully pursue your case. Contact Car Accident Attorney Duluth GA now!
Figuring out fault for a car accident is important because it dictates who will bear responsibility for paying any damages that result from the crash. Typically, the at-fault driver won’t pay these costs directly, but instead, their car insurance company will.
Fault is often determined by looking at various sources of evidence, such as police reports and vehicle damage. Other factors that might come into play include witness accounts (although eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable) and state traffic laws.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine which parties were responsible for the crash and who should be held liable for your injuries and associated losses. These damages can include any economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Getting the financial compensation you deserve from the at-fault party will be difficult if not impossible without legal guidance. That’s because insurers will try to minimize your injury and its impact on your life, trying to convince you that your pain is only temporary, even though it may last months, years or your entire lifetime. Our tenacious lawyers can safeguard your legal rights and pursue the full extent of your damages.
Assessing Your Injuries
Immediately after an accident, it is important to take some deep breaths and try to remain as calm as possible. This will help you think clearly and assess your injuries more accurately. If you are able to move, try to get away from the scene of the crash. If you cannot, stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement officers to arrive. Check on all occupants of the vehicles for any visible signs of injury, and make sure you have their contact information.
It is also important to see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe. This will ensure that any internal injuries are diagnosed and treated right away, and it will also create a medical record that can be used to support your claim later on. In addition, a doctor can assess any less obvious injuries, such as concussion, which may not show physical symptoms until days after the crash.
An attorney will help you calculate all of your accident-related expenses, including future medical costs. They will consult with doctors and other medical professionals to develop an estimate of what your future needs will be, based on the type of injuries you suffered in the car crash. Without this information, you could end up receiving significantly less than what you are entitled to under the law.
A car accident lawyer can also help you deal with insurance companies, which are often reluctant to pay out large sums of money for legitimate claims. They will be familiar with the tactics that insurers use to deny or reduce compensation, and they can help you fight back. They will also be aware of any time limits (called statutes of limitations) that may apply to your case, so you do not miss out on your chance to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Gathering Evidence
Car accident attorneys are adept at determining the documentation that will be required to support your claim and can navigate local laws and process. They also have a deep understanding of insurance law and how to deal with the nuances of various policies and coverage limits.
They can also help you gather important evidence like witness statements and video surveillance footage. In addition, they will be able to advise you on whether the accident was caused by a defective part or was the result of an act of negligence.
It is crucial that you get medical attention after any type of car accident, even if you do not think you have any serious injuries. Many injuries including internal bleeding, concussions and other brain-related traumas do not show symptoms until days or even weeks after the incident. Seeking medical attention will help you document any injuries that you did sustain from the crash and will provide a valuable piece of evidence for your case.
Photos are another valuable piece of evidence that can be used to prove how the accident occurred. They can be taken by witnesses or professionals such as photographers and accident reconstruction specialists.
A reputable car accident attorney can also help you determine whether the accident was caused by a defective product such as a tire, seat belt or dashboard instrument panel. They can also help you establish the monetary damages you are entitled to for your injuries, losses and property damage.
Car accident lawyers have a thorough understanding of state law and can explain it in simple terms for you to understand. They will also be able to evaluate whether you should accept an insurance company’s settlement offer, file a lawsuit or take your case to trial and win a jury verdict.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
In the wake of a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by everything that is going through your mind. Your attorney will help you stay focused and calm in order to negotiate a fair settlement for your losses and injuries.
When estimating your total damages, your attorney will take into account your medical bills and other financial losses that are directly linked to the crash. This is why it’s so important to keep meticulous records of all your treatment and expenses following a crash. Your attorney will use these documents when preparing and sending out your demand letter to the insurance company.
Once you receive a counteroffer from the insurance company, your attorney will review it carefully to ensure that you are receiving an adequate amount of compensation for your injury claims. The offer must cover everything that you are claiming to be injured by and compensate you for. This includes your current and future expenses, physical limitations, and any emotional distress or pain and suffering you have suffered.
Your attorney will also consider any uninsured motorist coverage that you may have on your vehicle. This is particularly relevant if the other driver who caused the accident was driving without insurance. Finally, your lawyer will also consider your own personal injury protection policy, including underinsured motorist coverage, as well as any additional property damage liability you may have for the crash.
Filing a Lawsuit
Car accidents can lead to expensive medical bills, lost income from time off work and the need for repairs to your vehicle. These financial burdens, along with the physical and emotional trauma of your injuries can be overwhelming for injured parties and their families. Though no amount of money can make up for the trauma and suffering you endured, monetary compensation can help ease your financial burdens so you can focus on your recovery.
An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to identify all parties that may be responsible for your injury. Using surveillance footage, contacting eyewitnesses and interviewing witnesses, they can conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf to establish who caused the crash. This will be important because it is not uncommon for the at-fault driver to deny responsibility for the accident, or try to impose the blame on other parties like you.
A tenacious lawyer will be able to pursue economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party. Economic damages involve all of your financial losses, from medical expenses to loss of income. Non-economic damages include all of your emotional and physical pain and suffering, such as anxiety, depression and loss of enjoyment in life.
When choosing an attorney, consider their reputation and track record of success with past clients. Look for positive reviews and testimonials on social media and the attorney’s website. Also, look at the size of their firm and if they have the resources to dedicate to your case, including a sufficient number of staff capable of conducting investigations and gathering evidence. A well-staffed firm is also likely to have the resources necessary to hire medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists and financial experts, who can strengthen your case and prove causation, fault and damages.