After an auto collision, your friends and family might tell you to consider hiring an attorney to help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. As a result, you might ask yourself, “What does a car accident lawyer do?” An attorney can take several actions to give you the peace of mind and financial remedies you deserve after a car wreck.
At Winston Law Firm, our Weston car accident attorneys are here to provide quality legal advice and representation to auto accident victims like yourself. Let’s further discuss what a car accident lawyer can do to help you navigate the days after a collision with clarity and sufficient financial support.
What a Car Accident Lawyer does for Crash Victims
When you work with an attorney to seek compensation for your accident-related losses, they’ll take many steps to secure a fair payment on your behalf. Here’s what your lawyer can do to make your claim as successful as possible:
Gather Evidence
Your attorney will start your case by collecting evidence of your accident and injuries. Gathering and analyzing evidence will help your lawyer identify the cause of the accident, determine if another driver’s negligence led to the crash, and construct a facts-based claim for compensation.
The following forms of evidence can strengthen your claim and your chances of receiving a fair payment:
- A copy of the traffic crash report
- Eye-witness testimony
- Photos of the collision scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
- Statements from accident reconstructionists
- Your medical records
- Footage of the incident from nearby traffic or CCTV cameras
Calculate Your Claim’s Value
Once your lawyer has all the evidence they need to build a compelling claim, they’ll have to determine how much you should receive for your losses. They’ll work with you to determine which compensatory damages you’re entitled to and how much compensation you should receive in total.
Depending on economic and non-economic losses you’ve taken on due to the collision, you could be eligible to receive several or more of the following damages:
- Current and ongoing medical bills
- Cost of ambulance transportation and hospital care
- Physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Once your lawyer knows how much your claim is worth, they’ll have to file a claim with the insurance company and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. Insurers can be difficult to deal with and may try to offer less than what your claim is worth.
Fortunately, an experienced attorney can draw on their negotiation skills to convince the insurance company to provide a fair payment. However, if insurers fail to cooperate with your lawyer’s demand, you can still bring your case to trial.
File a Lawsuit
If your attorney is unable to secure an adequate settlement, there’s another way to get the compensation you need to make it through this challenging time. Your lawyer can file a civil suit and represent you in court to get the damages you’re owed. At trial, your lawyer will present evidence and convincing legal arguments to get the verdict you’re looking for.
Offer Legal Advice
Throughout your case, your attorney will provide the information and advice you need to make educated legal decisions. They’ll also be available to answer any questions you have about the legal process and provide regular updates on their progress.
Most attorneys offer free initial consultations so you can learn more about your legal options without committing to a lawyer.
Help You Get Medical Attention
After a sudden accident, it can be hard to get the medical attention you need to manage your injuries and prevent further complications. The good news is that most law firms can use their relationships with medical providers and hospitals to help coordinate your appointments.
Some firms will even help you get transportation to and from your medical appointments. In addition, a personal injury lawyer may also request the medical providers hold collections until the end of your case, when you’ll ideally have the compensation required to cover all your medical expenses.
Work for a Contingency Fee
Personal injury firms know how financially stressful the aftermath of a collision can be. That’s why attorneys often work for a contingency fee. A contingency fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive from your claim or civil suit.
If your case is unsuccessful and doesn’t yield compensation, your attorney won’t charge you any out-of-pocket fees.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Now that you know what a Broward County car accident lawyer does, it’s time to get the legal help you need to recuperate from your collision. At Winston Law Firm, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience handling car wreck claims like yours. Our firm’s relatively small size allows us to give your case the attention and resources it needs to result in maximum compensation.
Contact us today to get the client-focused representation you need to file a winning claim. We’ll schedule a free consultation between you and a Davie car accident attorney. They’ll ask you about your accident and explain your legal options. If they take on your case, they’ll work hard to get the outcome you deserve.