The time following a car accident can be very confusing, and you may be unsure of where to turn or what to do next. You may also have questions about what you need to do to file a claim and what you should say if the at-fault insurance company’s adjuster calls you. This along with many other reasons we showcase below would be a good reason why you need a lawyer after a car accident. Fortunately, help is available to you in the form of a car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can assist you with investigating the circumstances of your accident, filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf, handling calls from insurance company adjusters, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit against the responsible party. Car accidents can result in many types of serious and costly injuries, including bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain and head injuries, and soft tissue injuries. These injuries can be debilitating and may leave you needing treatment and unable to work for a significant time. After a serious car accident, your top priority should be getting the medical treatment that you need to recover from your injuries fully. Having a knowledgeable car accident lawyer on your side will allow you to rest and recover, while your lawyer handles all of the legal issues that arise in your case.
Investigating the Circumstances of Your Accident
In some cases, it can be difficult to tell exactly how a motor vehicle accident occurred. For example, two or more other drivers may have acted negligently to cause the crash. When that happens, a car accident lawyer may need to hire an investigator or expert, such as an accident reconstructionist, to determine exactly how your accident occurred and who caused it. In addition to hiring an expert, a car accident lawyer in your jurisdiction can speak with eyewitnesses to the accident and gather supporting documentation including a copy of the police report), vehicle pictures, videos capturing the incident and determining all potential sources of insurance to compensate you. By piecing together all this information, your car accident lawyer can determine the likely cause of your accident and whether or not you are eligible to file a car accident claim. If you file a car accident claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you can seek recovery for the injuries and damages that resulted from the crash.Filing a Claim With the At-fault Driver’s Insurance Company
The negotiation process typically begins after the accident victim has finished all medical treatment for injuries sustained in the accident. However, you should not wait to speak with a car accident attorney simply because you are still undergoing treatment. Your car accident lawyer can obtain copies of all relevant medical records and bills, as well as a copy of the police report, photographs, and any other relevant documentation to begin the process of preparing your case for resolution long before you complete treatment. The lawyer will usually then assemble all of this documentation into a settlement demand package, which they will then send to the at-fault driver’s insurance company (follow these two links to learn more about "how to determine car accident fault" or "how to determine who hit who in a car accident"). The car accident attorney will also typically include a cover letter that makes a monetary demand for settlement. In some cases, the initial settlement demand is the available policy limits that apply to the case. Once the adjuster for the at-fault individual’s insurance company reviews all of this information, they will then decide if their insured is liable. If the insurance company decides to accept liability, the adjuster will typically make a settlement offer, though often not for the fair value of the case. If the settlement offer is not acceptable, further negotiations can occur or the injured party can file a lawsuit.Speaking With Adjusters From the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
In some instances following a motor vehicle collision, the at-fault driver’s insurance company adjuster will call the accident victim and request a recorded statement. These statements are typically under oath, and the adjuster will ask the accident victim questions about how the accident occurred, the injuries they suffered in the accident and other aspects of their medical history. It’s important to keep in mind that you should never provide a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company—at least not without having your lawyer on the phone at the same time.