Insurance companies and at-fault parties often fight tooth and nail to avoid paying accident victims. They may even attempt to convince you that your injuries are only temporary or only partially caused by the accident.
Car accident lawyers can help you combat these tactics by understanding the laws pertaining to your particular case. Here are some ways they can help:
They can assist you in gathering Evidence
Car accident lawyers are aware that a successful claim is based on strong evidence, such as the proof of liability as well as proof of damages. To gather this evidence they must visit the accident scene, photograph the scene of the crash, and speak to witnesses. They may also seek medical records and other evidence. They may even work together with experts to determine the cause of the accident.
It is essential to take action quickly to gather this evidence because memories fade, physical evidence disappears, and witnesses can become difficult to locate. A lawyer can save and preserve all evidence. This will avoid disagreements about what transpired and help increase the evidence against the parties responsible.
Insurance companies often try to avoid paying huge claims and will make lowball offers to victims. Your attorney can review the offers and ensure you receive every penny you are owed. They can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and go to court if needed.
Your attorney will need to provide documentation of both economic and noneconomic damages in order to prove your losses. Economic damages include medical bills, prescriptions, lost wages and property damage. Non-economic damages include suffering and pain, mental distress, and loss in enjoyment of life. A NYC car accident lawyer with expertise will be able to quantify these damages precisely using invoices and receipts.
You'll need to provide your attorney with all these documents before they can forward it to the insurance company. This can be a difficult task, especially if you have been dealing with health professionals who are slow to respond to requests for documentation. This can be handled by your attorney, saving you a lot of time and hassle.
Medical expenses can be costly and can cause debt problems. This can attract aggressive debt collectors who might employ illegal tactics to pester you. A seasoned car accident attorney can help you defend yourself against these debt collectors and handle them on your behalf.
You can use them to determine your losses
The financial burden of a serious injury is often significant. An experienced attorney can help you assess your losses and develop an effective claim that maximizes what you can recover. This includes medical treatment, associated expenses, lost income due to reduced capacity or missing work, property damage and pain and discomfort.
To fully assess your losses your lawyer will consult with experts such as accountants, mechanics and economists. They can also help you determine if you're eligible for punitive damages, which are designed to punish the person who was negligent and are typically only awarded in cases of recklessness.
An experienced attorney will look over and gather all evidence available to prove your claim. This may include reviewing police records, accident reports, and witness statements. They also look into the accident scene with an accident reconstructionist to determine what happened and how the accident occurred. They can also use surveillance footage in order to gain more information about the accident scene.
They'll also try to get your medical records including any ongoing treatment you received following the accident. This can include imaging tests and physical therapy dependent on the nature of your injury. The right medical professionals on your side will help you avoid delays in your recovery that could affect your claim.
Many victims of car accidents do not realize they are entitled to compensation for out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the accident. This includes transportation to and from medical appointments, parking charges, vehicle or home modifications, and child-care. Your legal counsel will advise you on what to include in your claim, and how much you should seek in a settlement.
Unfortunately, some insurers may contest that their policyholder is accountable for your crash. This is because they believe that their insured driver did not cause the accident or the injuries you sustained aren't serious enough to warrant the payment. In these cases the assistance of a New York car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and prove that a driver's negligence led to your crash.
You can avoid lowball offers
Initial offers from insurance companies will almost always be low. This is because the primary objective is to earn money, not pay out large amounts of money to injured victims. If you accept this bargain offer, you will not be able to seek additional compensation for future damages and losses due to your accident.
If you have an experienced attorney, they can protect you from this type of practice by refusing to accept an offer that is low. A reputable lawyer has the resources to handle your case and an extensive network of experts who can back your claim. They can also examine your claims and make sure that you're filing for all the damages to which you are entitled.
An experienced attorney can help you avoid other methods used by insurers to devalue your claims. For example, they can assist you in avoiding giving a recorded statement to the insurance company since it could be used against you to prove that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. They can also help you if you're forced by an adjuster from your insurance company to not seek treatment or limit the medical records you submit.
Insurance companies often underestimate the emotional suffering. This is because it's difficult to quantify the damages. You should never accept a low-ball offer without consulting a seasoned attorney.
A seasoned lawyer may take your case to court if needed to get a fair settlement. This usually prompts the insurance company to improve their offer. Additionally, a seasoned lawyer will be able to determine what evidence to bring and how to argue it in court. If you're looking for a lawyer for your car accident who has experience, book an appointment with them and inquire about their experience in court. Many lawyers provide free case evaluations, and they work on a basis of contingency fees. You only pay for their services if they win your case or if you settle an agreement outside of court. This aligns your interests with theirs and ensures that they will be determined to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
They can help you hold all at-fault parties accountable
Your lawyer will hold responsible parties accountable in the event that you are injured. They will assist you in obtaining the evidence needed to support your claim. This includes eyewitness testimony and videos, photographs and accident reports. If needed, they'll also send forensic experts to the scene of the crash to make observations and obtain additional evidence. They will also contact the insurance adjusters working for the responsible parties to ensure you receive every cent due under your policy.
Documenting your injuries by medical professionals is also crucial. This is necessary to establish causation which is crucial in negligence claims. This is the only way to properly assess your losses, including non-economic and economic damages.
Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you, so having a skilled lawyer for car accidents to your side can shield your against their tactics. A lawyer is able to assess your injuries and never compromise less than you deserve.
If the responsible party is not insured or is not found then your lawyer will start an action against them. If you are seeking damages that are greater than the amount that is covered under New York's no fault auto insurance laws, or if the party who was negligent is unwilling to accept responsibility, your lawyer will file a lawsuit.
Accident victims are often given conflicting advice on what to do next from their friends, family and the internet. A knowledgeable lawyer can explain your options to you in simple, clear terms so that you can decide the best course of action. They'll also be able to provide information on what you can expect from the legal process, including potential difficulties and delays. Many lawyers offer free consultations, so you can get your questions answered without paying anything upfront. To schedule a consultation get in touch with an attorney today. Their services are worth the cost if you consider how much money they could potentially save you by assisting you to receive all the compensation you are entitled to.