After your car accident, a car accident attorney can gather accident information, provide you with legal advice, negotiate with insurance companies, and help you seek compensation for your damages, so that you can recover from it and return to your normal routine. can go
Car accidents can be traumatic for victims. From bruises and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries and broken bones, victims can suffer a variety of serious injuries, some of which may require weeks and thousands of dollars in medical and rehabilitative treatment. Losing a loved one in a car accident is even harder.
After a crash, recovery should be a priority. However, when you are well enough, you can also consider seeking help from a car accident lawyer. On top of the physical and emotional burden of a car accident, you may face financial hardship as you deal with medical bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and lost wages.
From speed limits to distracted driving laws, state and federally enforced measures promote safety and prevent collisions. Still, crashes are a common problem throughout the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), estimates show that 36,120 people died in car crashes last year.
When someone disobeys local or federal traffic laws or drives recklessly or irresponsibly, they must suffer the consequences of their actions. This can include traffic tickets, license suspensions, fees and even jail time, depending on the crime and damage. They may also be responsible for paying compensation to victims.
If the liable party is insured and their insurance company covers the damages in the incident, it may pay the injured party for damages such as medical bills and property damage. However, a victim may want to file a personal injury lawsuit if they are underinsured, uninsured, or have insufficient payments from their insurance providers.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A car accident lawyer can be a valuable resource in any of the above situations, as pursuing a financial award for your damages can be a complex endeavor.
First, the victim must prove who caused the accident and establish the sequence of events and circumstances that contributed to the accident. They need to gather evidence to support their claim, which may include eyewitness accounts, police reports, medical reports and repair receipts.
A car accident lawyer can help you:
Conducting an investigation, reviewing police reports and medical records, and gathering eyewitness testimony
Demonstrating the circumstances surrounding the crash, as well as the sequence of events leading up to it
To prove whose fault it was
A case is being registered based on the details of the incident
Establishing a strategy for seeking compensation on your behalf
Communicating with insurance companies, lawyers and other involved parties on your behalf
Representing you in negotiations or in a court of law if necessary
Keeping you updated throughout the process and addressing any concerns or questions you may have
Some cases may be more difficult to investigate than others, such as accidents involving rideshare companies, commercial trucks, public transportation and sanitation vehicles.
In any of these situations, there may be more than one liable party or the liable party may be a corporation or a city or state government. A car accident lawyer can help you ensure compliance with relevant procedures when dealing with these types of parties.
Statute of Limitations
Each state has statutes of limitations that set the time frame for plaintiffs to file a lawsuit against another party, as the Legal Information Institute (LII) defines it. The statute of limitations varies depending on your location and the party against whom you are bringing the claim. For example, the statute of limitations to bring a lawsuit against another civilian may be two or three years, whereas you may have only six months to bring a lawsuit against a local government.
The statute of limitations is not the same as the time limit for filing your insurance claim. You should always make a claim or at least notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Some providers specify that you must notify them within a “reasonable time” for your claim to be valid. Again, these times may vary across states.
Damages related to car accidents
Car accidents can result in different types of damage. This can range from totaled cars to debilitating physical injuries, as well as emotional pain and suffering, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress. A car accident lawyer can help you identify the damages you have suffered and what type of compensation you may be entitled to.
After your car accident you can get compensation for the following:
Cost of repairing or replacing property
Cost of current or reasonably anticipated medical bills
Lost wages for time you missed because of your injury
Earning ability will be reduced if your injury is so severe that you are unable to return to your previous position
Mental pain and suffering
Loss of Consortium
Funeral and burial expenses (if a loved one dies as a result of their injuries)