The legal process of getting compensation for the injuries, property loss, and income loss you may have suffered as a result of a car accident can be long and tedious. However, you’ll fare better if an attorney helps you with your car accident claim.
A competent car accident attorney will ensure that more investigation is done to confirm the other driver’s fault. They’ll also obtain medical records from your doctor showing how the car accident has caused your injuries, among other things.
You’ll understand the importance of hiring a car accident attorney for your car claim after perusing this piece. You’ll also know how they can help you make the process of getting your car accident claim easier.
What Does a Car Accident Claim Attorney Do?
A car accident attorney is a legal practitioner that specializes in helping car accident victims get monetary compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer. They are versed in insurance and accident laws and are skilled in negotiations.
If you hire a car accident attorney, their services will include the following:
Preparing proper Legal Documentation on your behalf
A car accident attorney knows the right documents you’ll need to submit at a court of law to aid your case before a judge. They have the personnel – secretary and paralegal – to help you assemble these documents and submit them to the appropriate parties.
Such documents as witness statements and medical records and statements can be difficult to collect as there are processes to obtain the latter. However, a car accident attorney knows the system and gets these documents faster.
Maintaining communication with the other driver’s insurer
An insurance company will always seek to pay less than you seek to get as compensation. However, open communication between a personal injury attorney and the at-fault driver’s insurer makes your stance on the value of compensation clear from the onset.
Also, good communication and relationship between your attorney and the insurance adjuster will influence how well you’ll be compensated. Since personal injury attorneys have more experience in dealing with insurance companies, they know how to get insurance adjusters to do what favors the plaintiff.
Carrying out further investigation into the accident
Proof of injuries and damage to yourself and your car is central to whether or not you’ll get your car accident claim. While you may have taken photographs of the accident scene and the damage to your car, your attorney will do some extra investigations.
Their investigation will include relating witness statements to the evidence you have provided. They’ll also visit the scene of the accident to see all the factors that contributed to the accident as they influence your hold on the compensation value you want. They’ll also speak with the witnesses to verify their statements as contained in the reports they have.
As part of investigating the accident, a good car accident attorney will ensure that they speak to the police and the investigating officers to understand the direction of the case.
Obtaining the necessary medical evidence of damage
One of the common obstacles to completing the documents for getting your car accident claims is getting the complete medical records that include how the accident has caused your injuries and impaired some of your abilities. It is common to have only medical bills and leave out medical reports. That only reduces the amount of compensation you can have.
A car accident and personal injury attorney knows the value attached to your injuries during a car accident, and they’ll use it to your advantage.
It is unlikely that you’ll get the required medical documents from your hospital on the first request. There may also be formal procedures to obtain your medical records in your hospital, and it’s not usually properly made known to the public. A personal injury attorney has the personnel to get your medical records, including medical statements and bills, from your hospital. They can also easily reach the hospital and your doctor for more information that’s needed to aid your objective.
Such information may include physical or mental limitations that your injury may have caused you. It also includes the statement that the car accident is the cause of your injury and limitation.
Negotiating with your lienholder
In cases of personal injury, healthcare providers, including treating doctors and emergency medical service providers will rather get paid for their services from insurance companies. They’ll get more from them than the victims who may have health insurance and other health benefits packages that reduce their medical costs.
The legal ability of your healthcare provider to take a percentage of your legal settlement makes them a lienholder.
It is your attorney’s responsibility to negotiate with every lienholder to reduce their lien on your compensation. The better the negotiation, the more money you have coming to you from your compensation.
Present your evidence and case before a Judge
After gathering all the necessary documents and evidence, and negotiating with the insurer or the defense attorney, your attorney will present your car accident claim before a Judge and uphold the reasons you are entitled to the compensation you demand.
Although you can do this yourself, you’ll be easily outplayed by the defense attorney and you’ll have little to no compensation. Therefore, the expertise of an experienced attorney will help you get your full claim.
Do you need an Attorney for your Car Accident Claim?
Yes, you need an attorney for your car accident claim as they’re more lettered in the legal process of getting your full compensation from the other driver’s insurer. They understand the insurance laws and know how to handle the insurance companies to pay you what’s right.
However, there are cases where you can represent yourself in a car accident case and they include:
- When you have insignificant injuries.
- When you’re confident of getting the right medical records from your hospital.
- When you’re sure of your negotiation skills.
While you may succeed in getting your car accident claim, you’ll find it easier and get better compensation with an attorney by your side.
Final Thought
The need for a car accident claim attorney is paramount as the insurance company and their attorney will be out to ensure you get as little money out of them as possible. However, you stand a higher chance of getting your full car accident claim when you employ the services of a car accident claim attorney.
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