What Do Auto Accident Attorneys Do?
If you or your loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, you may wonder how a personal injury attorney can help. A car accident attorney handles all the legal processes after a collision so you can focus on recovery. Discover the main responsibilities of a car accident attorney below.
1. Offer a Free Consultation
Many auto accident attorneys offer free consultations to determine whether you have a case. During the appointment, the attorney asks for a detailed account of the collision, including a description of your injuries and damages.
The consultation is also an opportunity to establish trust between the two parties and get clarification on the attorney's strategies, fees, timeline, expectations, and other aspects. Once you determine that the attorney is a good fit, you can give them the go-ahead to proceed with your case.
2. Gather the Necessary Evidence
Strong evidence is the key to receiving the compensation you deserve after a car collision. If you took pictures of the accident scene, hand these to the attorney so they can start investigating the cause and at-fault parties.
The attorney consults accident reconstruction experts, photographers, medical professionals, and other impartial parties to establish the accident's circumstances. Further, the legal practitioner tracks and interviews eyewitnesses and talks to the investigating police officers to build a strong case on your behalf.
Your attorney arms themselves with as much evidence as possible, including medical reports, employment records, property damage records, and lost wages statements.
3. Communicate With Other Attorneys and Insurers
Insurers retain adjusters and attorneys tasked with denying claims and offering lowball offers. After an accident, these parties reach out to you and try to get you to admit fault or other mistakes. Insurance adjusters can also penalize you for waiting too long to seek medical treatment or inform your insurance company. So negotiating with the insurer's parties alone isn't a good idea.
A car accident attorney knows how to navigate insurers' bad faith and is better equipped to negotiate a good deal.
4. Maximize Your Compensation
You are entitled to recover damages after an accident that wasn't your fault. These damages include medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If you represent yourself, you will likely accept an amount that doesn't fully compensate your damages.
A car accident attorney's experience is invaluable in valuing your claim. The attorney has dealt with hundreds of cases similar to yours before and won't accept lowball offers from the insurer.
Your attorney gets you a settlement that compensates all your damages, including future medical expenses, impairment, and wages. The professional can also consult actuaries and economists for help assessing your accident's long-lasting impact.
Additionally, car accident attorneys know all the deadlines for all legal steps and ensure you don't miss out on compensation because of delays.
5. Represent You in Court
Many auto accident cases settle out of court. However, some cases go to court if a settlement can't be reached. The legal processes involved in car accident cases are complex, and so you’ll need an experienced legal practitioner to help you.
Usually, litigating starts with filing a lawsuit within a deadline set by the state. Your attorney and the opposing side trade and evaluate each other's evidence and schedule depositions from everyone involved in the case. Subsequent procedures include the pre-trial, jury selection, trial, and appeal. Your attorney ensures that all legal steps are carefully followed for the best outcome.
Hire an Attorney Today
A car accident attorney has many responsibilities geared toward getting you the financial compensation you deserve. When you are ready to consult a reliable and seasoned legal team, look no further than Hoines Law Office, P.C. We guide you through the entire legal process and discuss all your options. Contact us today for a consultation.
