If you sustained injuries in a car accident, you must hire an attorney to represent you. Although filing an insurance claim after a crash may seem straightforward, it involves a lot of paperwork and complex steps. You can only successfully get the compensation you need when you complete the claims process without errors, which is likely when you try to complete the paperwork on your own. By having good legal representation, insurance companies are more likely to take your case seriously than when you represent yourself. So, what can your attorney do for your case?
Ensure Your Accident Report and Claim are Filed Promptly
No matter who caused the crash, you need to report the incident to law enforcement and your insurance company. You might be able to recover damages through your insurance policy or lawsuit when you are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. These reporting obligations have deadlines to meet. Your attorney will ensure everything is done on time.
Collect Important Evidence
For you to recover compensation, you must obtain evidence of liability. Evidence such as skid marks, road signage damage, and vehicle damage can disappear when not preserved. An attorney will send an investigator to the crash scene and collect key evidence before it disappears. Also, they can talk to anyone who may have witnessed the crash while the details of the incident are still fresh in their minds.
Calculate the Cost of Your Injuries
Car crashes are quite expensive. From your medical bills to lost income, the resulting financial losses can cost thousands of dollars. Should your injuries require ongoing treatment or leave you unable to work for a long time, such losses could spike.
In addition, you could be entitled to non-economic losses such as emotional distress, loss of life enjoyment, and pain and suffering. Your attorney can come up with an accurate calculation of your losses and make sure you only settle for what you deserve.
Negotiate with Insurance Adjusters
When you file an insurance claim, the insurer will try to settle your case outside of court because of the cost associated with litigation. But despite their voluntary offer, it may not reflect all of your losses. In fact, insurance companies are notorious for making lowball offers, hoping that claimants will accept them given their financial situation. Your attorney will negotiate a fair offer with the company’s insurance adjuster and will continue to do so until the company pays the amount you demand. Otherwise, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.