Car accidents are stressful events, especially if you've been injured and are dealing with physical recovery, financial burdens and emotional distress. You may feel angry and seek to hold someone accountable for the accident or you may feel overwhelmed by trying to figure out how to pay for medical expenses and lost income. After an injury in a crash, a car accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process of seeking monetary compensation for your injuries.
A car accident lawyer’s goal is to make sure that their client receives fair and ample compensation for all of their losses related to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Compensation is a monetary amount that could cover medical expenses, lost income, emotional injuries, and property damage. Your car accident lawyer will work to ensure you receive compensation that doesn’t leave you holding the bag to pay for the cost of the accident and its aftermath.
5 Important Functions Car Accident Lawyers Do:
- Collect Evidence
- Organize Medical Documentation
- Define a Settlement Demand Amount
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies
- File Legal Proceedings
#1: Collect Evidence
Witness statements, police reports, electronic evidence, and victim testimony are all highly effective and typical types of evidence in a car crash to prove that the other driver is liable for the accident. A car accident lawyer will review the evidence at hand at the onset of the case and may also further build the case by creating or collecting more evidence. In serious cases, a car accident lawyer may bring accident reconstructionists or other private investigators to bolster the case.
#2: Organize Medical Documentation
Medical documentation is a key element of a car accident claim. Medical records serve as evidence of your injuries and your prognosis for recovery. However, the process of obtaining medical records, ensuring that they are completely applicable to the claim and working with healthcare providers to determine a prognosis is complex and time-consuming. Your car accident lawyer will not only organize the documentation but also communicate with medical professionals when needed to ensure your injuries are fully documented.
#3: Define a Settlement Demand Amount
Car accident lawyers have experience dealing with a variety of auto accident types, injuries and nuances of each circumstance. They understand the different types of compensation available in a car accident claim and know how to value your claim for the maximum compensation amount. In cases of serious or catastrophic injury, your car accident attorney may bring in an economist or labor expert to calculate the loss of an income and projected income over a long period of time.
#4: Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies play a huge role in car accident cases. Because Florida, New Jersey and New York are no-fault insurance states, you will most likely be dealing with at least your own insurance company. Typically, a victim who gets injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver’ negligence will look to that other driver’s insurance to pay for damages beyond PIP coverage. Regardless of whose insurance company it is, they will often try an initial lowball offer and pressure you to settle quickly. A car accident lawyer has the knowledge and skills to go back and forth and negotiate with insurance companies to maximize the settlement.
#5: File Legal Proceedings
A car accident lawyer will often start negotiations with a demand letter laying out your injuries and the case. In the event a settlement can’t be reached, by hiring a car accident lawyer you are then ready to start the legal process and file a claim. While most claims settle out of court, experienced car accident lawyers can also take your case to trial, to pursue maximum compensation.
Brandon J. Broderick, Car Accident Lawyers that Turn Setbacks into Comebacks
We get it. Car accidents can have an impact on your health, well-being, and finances which can cause worry, fear, and anxiety -- for you and your family. Wouldn’t it be a relief to know you could count on a trusted friend and advisor to passionately champion for you? Someone who’s got your best interests in mind?
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in exceptional client care, empathy, and results. With our long track record of success, you can count on us to work tirelessly for your quality of life. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims in car accidents. We’ve helped people just like you move forward after sustaining an injury that was caused by another’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Don't go it alone. We have law offices across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Florida. Our car accident lawyers will come to you. Call (877) 448-7350