What does a lawyer do for car accidents? If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or auto damage as the result of a crash, it’s imperative to act quickly. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve, including reimbursement for medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and more. Many ask, “Do I need a lawyer for car accidents?” The answer is yes. Don’t go unrepresented throughout the insurance claim process. We can help maximize your settlement and ensure you get what you deserve.
Car accident lawyers play a crucial role in the investigation, discovery, and negotiation process when determining the outcome of a claim. At Long, Jean, & Wechsler, P.A., we go above and beyond to help our clients receive the best outcomes possible. Don’t face the insurance companies alone. Let us fight for you. If you or a loved one have been in a car accident and are suffering from injuries or monetary loss, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Keep reading to learn more about the legal process that occurs following a car accident, the role and duties of a car accident lawyer, and what happens throughout the timeline of a case.
The Car Accident Legal Process
If you’re in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, one of two things happens: either the other driver sticks around, or they don’t. Regardless, make sure you contact the police immediately following an accident to create a report. Provide as much information as possible regarding the events and visit a doctor or hospital as quickly as possible to receive medical care–even if you don’t think you’re injured. Next, contact a car accident lawyer. Remember, there is a time limit to file a car accident lawsuit, so it is crucial to contact a lawyer immediately after an accident.
Step One: Initial Consultation
Contact a lawyer if you’re injured immediately. At your initial consultation, we’ll discuss what happened. This is where we gather information and details regarding the accident, the damage, and any injuries. Additionally, we’ll ask for information regarding insurance coverage and access to police reports to get a better picture. Based on the information we receive, we’ll estimate what you can expect to receive in a settlement and how we advise you to move forward with the case. Sometimes, negotiations and an out-of-court settlement are best. In other cases, litigation and a court battle may be necessary.
Step Two: Conducting an Investigation
After a contract is signed, a car accident lawyer moves on to the next step in the process. This includes conducting our investigation. We’ll contact the insurance companies to let them know you’re represented. Then, we’ll begin collecting evidence. The evidence we gather may include medical documents, police reports, photographs, video footage, and eyewitness testimony. We’ll also gather information regarding property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your car and any belongings damaged in the accident.
Step Three: The Negotiation Process
Next, we’ll move on to the negotiation process if deemed appropriate. During this phase, a car accident lawyer will speak with your insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, and other pertinent parties. We may advise you to file a lawsuit against the other party and proceed with the court process. A car accident attorney will handle all relevant communication throughout this time, so you don’t have to. We’ll take care of the tedious back and forth amongst the involved entities, as well as vet settlement offers, as we move towards a successful resolution in your case.
Step Four: Determining a Settlement
Sometimes, additional actions are necessary. Such actions can include speaking with experts to determine the prognosis of any injuries, determining what may have led to the accident, and discussing lost wages. These aspects help determine the final settlement you may be entitled to. A car accident lawyer may utilize mediation to facilitate negotiations with a neutral third party.
The car accident settlement process can take a few months to over a year to finalize.
Step Five: Filing a Lawsuit
Only if negotiations fail will a car accident lawyer recommend moving forward with a lawsuit. When this happens, we’ll move forward with the discovery phase. During the discovery phase, we’ll request information from the opposing party through interrogatories and requests to produce documents. We may depose witnesses to gather further details as we prepare for trial.
We’ll present evidence and testimony to the judge during a car accident trial. The judge will decide on the outcome of the case, which is when they will award a settlement if successful.
The car accident lawsuit process can take several years to finalize. Knowing that only a tiny percentage of car accident cases will go to trial is essential. Typically, 3-5% of car accident cases will see the inside of a courtroom. The vast majority settle out of court through negotiation.
Car Accident Lawyer’s Duties
What does a lawyer do for car accidents? If you’re looking for a lawyer, you may wonder what role they will play in your case. Let’s look more closely at a car accident lawyer’s roles and duties.
- Provide Advice. A car accident lawyer will provide you with advice regarding your unique circumstances. Examples include whether to file a lawsuit and how much you can expect in a settlement. They’ll advise on any extra steps you should take, like seeing specific medical providers.
- Handle Paperwork. There’s a lot of paperwork involved following a car accident. From paperwork for your own insurance company to short-term disability if you need time off work and more, the forms can seem endless. Let an experienced car accident attorney handle it for you.
- Communication with Other Parties. There are many parties involved when seeking compensation following a car crash. The other party’s insurance company and attorney are two possible entities that you’ll need to communicate with. A car accident lawyer will take care of all of this for you.
- Investigation. Our car accident attorneys will handle the tedious investigation process. This includes gathering police reports, evidence, eyewitness testimony, expert input, and more.
- Negotiation, Settlements, and Representation. Don’t negotiate your settlement. Having a car accident lawyer on your side helps maximize your compensation. According to the Insurance Research Council, individuals who hire a car accident attorney typically receive settlements that are around 3.5 times higher than those who represent themselves.
After the Case is Closed
Once you resolve your car accident case, you’ll receive the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Resolving means you and the other party agree to a settlement amount (or a judge awards you compensation in a trial), and you receive your money. Once a case concludes, you forfeit all rights to pursue further legal action seeking additional compensation. For this reason, having a car accident lawyer who fights hard to get you the largest lump sum possible the first time is crucial. You will sign a release form relinquishing the right to sue further regarding the accident.
Schedule Your Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’re wondering, “Do I need a lawyer for car accident damage and injuries?” contact Long, Jean, & Wechsler today. We’ll schedule an initial consultation to review the details of your case and discuss what compensation you may be entitled to. However, there is a statute of limitations on car and truck accident cases. This means it’s imperative to act as quickly as possible.
