Just like any accident, car accidents are devastating and can have an extensive effect on your life. The entire process involving police reports, medical expenses, personal recovery, property damage can be quite an ordeal. It can be stressful, frightening, inconvenient, and expensive.
Out of curiosity, a lot of people who have not encountered accidents possibly have these questions in their minds. “ Who handles car accident settlements? Or “When to hire an attorney after a car accident?”
Accidents happen at a time when we least expect them. So, at this time that you’re still able to do some research, reach out to a personal injury attorney. Moreso, also find out what you need to do for auto accident settlements.
All this information is good to have handy, so you would know what to do if you get involved in a car accident.
If you are the victim or have been injured in an auto accident, immediately seek medical attention and consider the help of a car accident attorney to unburden you from the stress of all the legal matters involved in it.
Aside from car settlements, the car accident attorney will also help you ensure that your personal injury claim is fought for.
Car Accident Settlements
The inconvenience brought about by filing a lawsuit and having everything go through the legal process may at times be exhausting.
In many cases, both parties agree to a settlement because a jury trial does not guarantee a favorable outcome.
The downside to auto accident settlements is that the opposing party’s insurance company sometimes lowballs or undervalues your claim for a much lower payout.
If you feel that this is the case, immediately ask your personal injury attorney to write a formal demand letter that gives you a chance to talk about the events in detail and ask for a more significant settlement figure to avoid going through court.
A settlement officially starts when both parties have reviewed the demand letter.
Due to this reviewing and responding process, the settlement process will possibly have a load of forth and back engagements before an amount is fully agreed upon.
Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Being injured in a car accident means that you may have incurred medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses that have been brought about by the accident.
It is best to hire a personal injury attorney to be guided with the things that need to be done without being kept in the dark.
Having a personal injury attorney can increase your compensation.
It has been a practice by most car accident victims to always be represented in court by a personal injury attorney.
When represented by an attorney in court, your chances of a higher compensation are more significant than when you do their case on your own.
It has been found that legal settlements are 3.5 times higher than those without someone legally representing them.
Insurance companies have tactics that are sometimes meant to lowball a payout or car accident settlements. Personal injury attorneys know this all too well and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages.
A legal misstep will affect your compensation.
Since most car accident settlements are done outside of court, it has become evident that many people think that auto accident settlements are only a bargaining process.
If this is how you treat your case, you will fall victim to lower compensation and end up in a lower negotiating position.
Despite going for a car accident settlement, you should be aware of their law and hire someone adept with the law in your state when it comes to car accident settlement.
You may be up against the insurance company, not the at-fault driver
As a car accident victim, you may be facing a large insurance company and not the other party driver. The other party may even have an entourage of doctors, attorneys, and other forensic experts who all work together to reduce your payout.
This could be a horrifying experience when you do this alone. Seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney, so your chances of a higher compensation are greater
Not only that, spare yourself from the experience of dealing with the questioning and lowballing tactics of these insurance companies.
Personal injury attorneys and car accident attorneys will also handle the mounds of paperwork involved filing a claim.
This could be a nightmare to someone who has already been stressed out by the accident or currently recuperating from injuries,
Let a car accident attorney handle this for you.
Timing is crucial in a car accident case
After the car accident itself, you may be dealing with recovery, mental and emotional stabilization, and other recuperating matters.
You may also be dealing with physical injuries and emotional distress after being involved in a car accident. Dealing with insurance phone calls, insurance paperwork, and talking to different people all at once is a huge burden for an accident patient.
Unfortunately, Insurance companies will immediately spring into action almost immediately to reduce your claim as much as they could.
In these cases, always work with a car accident attorney to ensure that you are well on your way to recovery while the legal side of things is also taken care of.
There are no drawbacks to talking to an attorney
Even before the accident happens, consult a personal injury attorney or a car accident settlement attorney. This will make your life a lot easier once you are in the situation, post an accident.
Most experienced attorneys will allow you in a free consultation and might also give bits of legal advice.
Evidence that can be collected by a personal attorney for you |
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| Police crash reports | This is usually generated by the police officer who responds at the time of the accident.
A police report contains a summary of all the important information and details regarding the incident. |
| Eyewitness statements | Eyewitness statements are collected and written statements of those who have seen the accident.
This may sometimes be taken to court but is not 100% accurate because just like any, their memory is also prone to inaccuracies and biases. |
| Information from a vehicle’s event data recorder | This is a device installed in a motor vehicle that records the vehicle’s activity for a very short period of time.
This usually helps in accident reports or is also sometimes used to check safety features. |
| Medical and work records | Medical and work records can be collected by your attorney to help prove that the injuries you sustained are caused by the negligence of the other party’s actions. |
| Photos of the accident scene and the damaged vehicle | Photos relating to the accident scene, vehicle damage are also something that is very important if you wish to pursue a claim.
This helps courts, insurance companies and car accident attorneys the best course of action to tae. |
In the event of a car accident, you deserve to be compensated for the damages you suffered, and an experienced auto accident attorney can make the legal or settlement process clear to you. Contact experienced personal injury attorneys like Tom Grajek to help make sure that you get all of the remedies that are available to resolve your claim.
Pro Tip
After a car accident, make sure that you do not admit fault in any way. Never sign anything from anyone other than the police or your insurance agent without consulting an attorney.
Get Professional Legal Help With a Car Accident Settlement
If you do not have the number of a personal injury attorney handy, it is best to call one right after the accident.
Seeking medical attention is prime but consider speaking to a car accident attorney as the next most important thing. Do not lose your chance for fair compensation.
Do not be at the mercy of insurance companies.
Hire a personal injury attorney and ensure justice is served through fair compensation for the damages incurred.
Let Thomas Grajek, Trial Attorney at Law, help you get back on track after an accident. Schedule a free consultation today at 863-845-1394!
FAQs on Car Accident Settlements
Are wrongful death damages taxable?
Generally, wrongful death claims are not taxable. But under specific circumstances, taxation may apply. E.g. the portion of economic, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
How long do wrongful death claims take?
Wrongful death claims can take one to four years on average.
What are the most common causes of wrongful death?
The most common causes of wrongful death include accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, criminal activity, and negligence.