Car accidents are traumatic and leave damage in their wake. It is hard to know what to do next after a car accident. Making the decision to file an insurance claim seems straightforward. However, you may not be aware of all of your rights, and having an experienced attorney on your side ensures you get the compensation you deserve.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Does
An experienced car accident lawyer makes it their job to understand the accident claim process and handle every aspect of the system.
Investigating the accident. While some car accidents are simple, others are not. The more complex the situation is, the more investigation goes into the process. A car accident lawyer will help you prove why the wreck happened, who caused it, and the party responsible for paying for the damages. An attorney knows how to conduct an in-depth investigation, so you have the evidence you need when you file an insurance claim.
Understanding the law. It is easy to say that you know personal injury law and that you will deal with the claim yourself. However, insurance companies and drives that are at fault will fight back and will find any excuse not to pay the claim.
Handling the insurance claim process. Again, an insurer or guilty party will take advantage of the fact you don’t know everything about the law and insurance claims. When you have an experienced car accident lawyer representing you, it is harder for them to violate your rights, delay your claim, and give you less than you deserve.
Protecting your rights. In a perfect world, you would file your claim and receive the settlement that you need to cover medical bills and lost wages within weeks. But, car accidents often are far from ideal. Insurance companies fight tooth and nail, and sometimes it can border on acting in bad faith, including harassment. An insurance company will even attempt to low-ball an offer. An experienced car accident lawyer knows your rights and will work as an advocate to identify unfair and unlawful behavior and correct it.
Representing you in court. The fact is that not every situation gets resolved quickly through an insurance claim. When you have to file a personal injury lawsuit, it becomes more complex and harder to navigate on your own. A lawyer will handle the paperwork and administrative tasks and any problem that might pop up during the process. Most importantly, they will attend all of the necessary court hearings so that you don’t have to. You will only have to go to court for specific hearings and the trial.
Navigating the discovery process. Discovery is the part of the personal injury suit process that involves you and the other parties exchanging documentation and information. It advances the investigation, helping you get the evidence you need to support your compensation claim.
Negotiating your settlement. Just because your insurance claim is approved doesn’t mean you will receive a fair and reasonable amount right away. Insurance companies will low-ball the amount of compensation on purpose, hoping that you will settle for less. When you have a car accident lawyer on your side, they will help determine the value of the claim and assist you in negotiating the right and fair settlement for you.
Filing a court case. Court cases are time-consuming and complicated. If you file a car accident suit on your own, an insurance company or the at-fault party will try and stop the process altogether. An attorney will file your claim, submit necessary documents, answer questions on your behalf, and keep you constantly updated about the suit’s status. Most of all, an experienced car accident lawyer helps to increase your chances of getting total compensation and justice for you.
Any accident or personal injury is hard, and the process gets complicated quickly. An experienced car accident lawyer will help you recover financially so that you can support yourself and your family. Insurance companies will try to take advantage of you, which is why having an advocate is critical to any insurance claim case.
The team at Montoya Hinckley will work tirelessly to get the compensation you deserve after a car accident. We will use our experience and expertise to study the facts of your case and prove it in court. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can review your case and begin the process. We will answer your questions and educate you in the claim and court process. You do not have to go this road alone.
