Being in a car accident is an unpleasant and traumatic experience with severe financial and psychological ramifications. The aftermath is difficult to handle because you may be tending to injuries or damage to your vehicle. After the accident, it is common to exchange insurance for small damages, followed by a police report. If the damage is minimal, you can handle the process by yourself, but if there is a dispute over fault and you have suffered heavy damages, it would be best to get a car accident lawyer.
A lawyer can significantly reduce your stress and damages if you have been in a severe accident. Let’s look at how a car accident attorney can be of great help when filing a lawsuit.
The Other Driver’s Insurer
If you have been in a car accident, you would know that the first course of action is exchanging insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident. In small claims, this is relatively straightforward, but in the case of a severe accident, you need an attorney to help you out.
A car accident attorney can communicate with the other driver’s insurer directly on your behalf. They can directly open up a communication line with the insurance adjuster, making it easy for you to obtain the necessary evidence.
Communicating With Healthcare Providers
Many insurers will cover your healthcare expenses from a car accident if it is a part of your policy. However, just because you have the option doesn’t mean that the insurance provider will make it easy for you. You have to compile doctor fees, medication bills, procedure charges (if any), and hospitalization fees. Running around to provide this information while still in recovery doesn’t sound like a great prospect.
A car accident lawyer can take care of all the legwork involved. They will not only compile all your necessary bills and charges, but they will communicate with your insurer directly and instruct you on how to proceed with your treatment in a way where you can get the best of your policy’s coverage.
Obtaining Evidence of Liability
After the accident, it is common to take photos of the impact scene, the two vehicles involved, and any other ancillary items. These photos are meant to be used as evidence in the event of a potential lawsuit. If you are in a serious accident, then you can’t have the luxury of going around and collecting all this information yourself.
A reliable attorney will leave no stone unturned when collecting said evidence. They will also compile all the accident reports related to the case and communicate with the investigating officers to better understand what happened.
Obtaining Evidence of Damages
Even if you obtain all the necessary medical records that show your injuries and medication, it doesn’t guarantee your case. Medical records are written by doctors who only mention their prognosis in as few words as possible. They are unlikely to use terms like disability and suffering in their reports. This can seriously affect your case both in terms of damages and liability. Furthermore, to obtain all the medical records, you need to place record requests from the hospitals.
This is usually a pain as each hospital has its procedures (which aren’t publicized). If there is a discrepancy in following these procedures, then the hospital will not provide the records. A car accident attorney can follow up with the hospital and chase them until they have obtained the records.
More importantly, they can ask your primary physician for a particular letter highlighting the extent of your injuries or disabilities. This letter can also carry the doctor’s opinion, which can attest to the fact that your injuries were a direct result of the accident, thereby improving your chances of better compensation.
Settlement Negotiations
This is where having a lawyer in your corner can be beneficial. Proper negotiation requires expertise and experience, and car accident lawyers have both in spades. They are well aware of the actual worth of the case and know how much you are likely to get from the courts so they can strike down any weak offers that a layperson would be likely to accept.
To Conclude
If you have been in an accident and have suffered severe damages, then hiring a lawyer is the way to go. A car accident lawyer is an excellent ally to have in your corner, and they can do most of the leg work for you. If you or someone you know has been in a severe car accident, don’t hesitate to call a reputed and reliable lawyer to assist you.
