Archives November 2023

1. AVOID SETTLING TOO SOON

After a car crash, you’ll likely want to put the entire situation behind you. Many people make the mistake of rushing through the legal process. They even accept the first lowball offer they receive.

Unfortunately, rushing through the process could cause you to leave money on the table. You might not receive the full amount of compensation you’re due. You might have to pay for a portion of your losses out of your own pocket.

Before that can happen, consider hiring a car accident lawyer. They’ll review the details of your case. They can help you determine how much you’re due, too.

Your lawyer will also make sure you follow the proper procedure. For example, it’s important to visit a doctor. The doctor’s assessment can help you recognize the full extent of your injuries.

Instead of settling too soon, you can gather the evidence you need to fight for a higher sum.

2. DODGE SCARE TACTICS

The insurance company might push you to accept the first lowball offer you receive. Some insurance companies even use scare tactics. They’ll want you to settle for as little as possible, too.

Don’t try to negotiate with the insurance company alone. Instead, hire a lawyer right away.

An experienced lawyer knows how to dodge scare tactics and negotiate with insurance companies. They’ll fight with your best interests in mind. 

3. PROVE THE EXTENT OF YOUR INJURIES

When building your case, it’s important to consider the full extent of your injuries. Your injuries could put you out of work. They might impact your quality of life and emotional state, too.

An experienced car accident attorney will gather your doctor’s reports. They’ll consider any specialists you visited or treatments you received. The evidence they gather will help them prove the extent of your injuries.

Then, you can fight for the full amount of compensation you’re due. 

4. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

It’s difficult to make informed decisions if you lack prior experience. You could receive a lowball offer or pretty victim to scare tactics. Don’t try to handle a car accident lawsuit alone.

Instead, Google “best car accident lawyer near me” and hire someone with relevant expertise.

An experienced car accident attorney will lean on their years of prior experience. They’ll know how to gather evidence and what tactics opposing counsel might use. 

Take the time to ask your lawyer about the recent cases they’ve handled. Ask about the strategies they used. Discuss the outcome of those cases, too.

Discussing their prior cases can help you learn from the lawyer’s experiences. Then, you can make more informed decisions regarding your own case.

Handling the situation alone, however, could cause you to make costly mistakes. 

An experienced lawyer will help you recognize your legal options every step of the way. 

5. GATHER EVIDENCE

In order to maximize your claim, you’ll need evidence. The evidence you gather can help prove fault. Without evidence, you might not win your lawsuit.

You could struggle to gather evidence like video footage alone. Instead, hire a lawyer who has a team of experts they can call. Their network will ensure you have the evidence necessary to try your case.

6. PROVE FAULT

About 90% of car crashes involve driver-related factors. These can include:

• Driver error
• Distractions (including texting and driving)
• Fatigue

In some instances, however, it’s not easy to determine who was at fault for the crash. You’ll need to prove the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. Otherwise, the other driver might try to point the finger at you instead.

If you can’t determine fault, you might fail to receive the compensation you need to cover your losses.

In order to determine fault, you’ll also need hard evidence. Remember, a car accident attorney can gather evidence for you. Otherwise, you might struggle to gather the evidence you need to prove the driver’s negligence. 

An experienced lawyer can rely on their previous cases to determine the best strategy for proving fault, too. They’ll also protect you in case the other driver tries to indicate you were negligent. 

Once you prove the other driver was negligent, you can demonstrate how they caused your injuries. You can prove they caused your injuries, too.

With help from an experienced lawyer, you can build a strong, airtight case.

7. DETERMINE YOUR LOSSES

Your medical bills and injuries are only a small portion of your losses. You’ll also need to calculate:

• The emotional cost of your pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Future lost earnings
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Current and future medical costs

You might struggle to determine your losses or set a monetary amount for your pain and suffering. Without experience, you could leave money on the table. Remember, there’s also a risk that you’ll unintentionally accept a lowball offer.

Your car accident attorney will know how to calculate your losses. They make sure you fight for the full amount of compensation you’re due. With their legal help, you can maximize your personal injury claim. 

DON’T FIGHT ALONE: 7 BENEFITS OF HIRING A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER FOR YOUR CASE

Don’t try to handle a car accident lawsuit alone. Instead, consider these benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer. With an experienced attorney at your side, you can win the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Hire a lawyer who has your best interests in mind today.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be wondering whether or not you need to hire a lawyer. Personal injury law can be complex, and insurance companies will often try to take advantage of people who are not familiar with their rights. Experienced car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation that you deserve. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the things that you need to know when hiring a lawyer.

1. Understand what is happening

The basics of car accident compensation law

Before you hire a lawyer for your motor vehicle accident claim, it’s important that you understand the basics of how the law works. In most cases, fault will be determined based on negligence – meaning that one driver failed to exercise reasonable care and caused the other driver to get injured. You also need to know about insurance coverage and what your state requires as far as liability coverage is concerned.

Do I need a car accident lawyer?

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is almost always best to consult with a lawyer. Even if your case does not involve a large amount of money, having expert motor vehicle lawyers on your side can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve for your motor vehicle accident.

2. Understand how motor vehicle accident claims work

The lawyer will make an estimate of the amount you may be entitled to and then prepare a motor vehicle accident claim on your behalf. The insurance company must review your car accident claim, and if they agree with the amount in the claim, they will pay out the agreed upon amount. If they do not agree with the amount in the claim, they may offer a lower settlement or deny the claim altogether. In this case, your lawyer can help you appeal the decision and make sure that you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours.

Which motor vehicle accidents can I claim compensation for?

Motor vehicle accident compensation is available to drivers, passengers, riders and pedestrians involved in the following types of road accident claims:

1. Car accident
2. Truck accident
3. Bicycle accident
4. Motorcycle accident
5. Pedestrian accident
6. Taxis and private hire car accident
7. Bus accident
8. Forklift accident

What injuries can you claim compensation for after a car accident?

You are unable to recover damages from car accidents which you did not cause. The most commonly suffered injuries are:

1. Whiplash
2. Broken bones
3. Soft tissue damage
4. Brain injury
5. Psychological trauma
6. Economic loss of income

What happens in a motor vehicle accident claim without insurance?

In some cases, an accident may occur without insurance coverage. In Australia, a car accident involving an uninsured driver require the at-fault driver to pay for any damages that they cause in an accident. If you have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver, it’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.

How long after a car accident can I claim compensation?

You can make a motor vehicle accident claim for compensation up to three years from the date of the accident in most states. However, it is best to contact your lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so that you can begin the process of filing a compensation claim and receiving your lump sum compensation.

You may be able to file a motor vehicle accident claim immediately following a road accident in Australia. However, depending on the details of your case, it may be beneficial to wait until after medical bills have been paid and other expenses incurred due to the accident have been covered. This will ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible for your injuries.

How do I know if I have a good case?

Your lawyer will evaluate your motor accident case to determine if you have a valid compensation claim and what type of compensation you may be entitled to. The lawyer will look at factors such as the amount of medical expenses, lost wages, legal costs, pain and suffering, and any other damages that are related to the motor vehicle accident.

3. Benefits of hiring an experienced car accident lawyer

Know how to deal with the insurance company

The insurance company is not your friend. They are a for-profit business, and their goal is to pay you as little as possible – or nothing at all. Experienced car accident lawyers will know how to deal and negotiate with the insurance adjusters and get you the maximum settlement you deserve.

Know how to investigate your accident

In order to build a strong case, experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers will know how to investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your compensation claim. This may include obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, and taking photographs of the scene of the accident.

Know what your case is worth

Your car accident case is worth the full value of your damages, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Experienced car accident lawyers will be able to calculate the value of your compensation claim and fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.

Know how to take your case to trial if necessary

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, experienced car accident lawyers will not hesitate to take your case to trial in order to get you the justice you deserve.

4. Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a car accident lawyer

Not checking for experience

One of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a car accident lawyer is not checking for experience. It’s important to choose a lawyer who has experience handling car accident cases, as they will know how to best navigate the legal process and maximise your chances of receiving compensation.

Waiting too long to hire a lawyer

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can start working on your case and gathering evidence. If you wait too long to hire a lawyer, it may be more difficult to win your case.

Not being honest

When meeting with a motor vehicle accident lawyer, it is important that you be honest about what happened during the accident. The more information they have, the better they will be able to help you.

5. Tips on how to find the right car accident lawyer for your case

Do your research

The first step in finding the right car accident lawyer for your case is to do your research. You should start by asking family and friends if they know of any lawyers who have experience with motor vehicle accident cases. You can also look online for lawyers who specialise in this area of law. Once you have a list of potential lawyers, you should research each one to see if they have the experience and qualifications that you are looking for.

Schedule a consultation

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential lawyers, you should schedule a consultation with each one. During the consultation, you will be able to ask the lawyer questions about their experience and qualifications. This is also an opportunity for you to get to know the lawyer and see if you feel comfortable working with them.

Ask about their experience

When you meet with a potential lawyer, be sure to ask about their experience handling car accident cases. You want to make sure that the lawyer you choose has significant experience in this area of law. The last thing you want is to hire a lawyer who does not have the necessary experience to properly handle your case.

Consider what you can afford to spend on legal fees

Legal fees can be expensive, so it is important to determine what you can afford to spend before hiring a lawyer. Be sure to ask about their fee structure and get a written retainer agreement that outlines the costs associated with your case. This way, you know exactly how much money you will need to pay for legal services.

Get a written retainer agreement

Once you have decided on which lawyer you would like to hire, be sure to get a written retainer agreement. This agreement will outline the terms of your relationship with the lawyer and will detail their fees and how they will be paid.

Read reviews and get referrals from past clients

Another important tip when choosing a car accident lawyer is to read reviews and get referrals from past clients. Reading online reviews can give you an idea of how satisfied other people were with the services they received. Additionally, asking for referrals from previous clients can help you determine if the lawyer is reliable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable.