Categories: Lifestyle

Why You Need To Contact A Lawyer Immediately After A Car Crash

If you were involved in a car accident, it’s essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

After an accident, you may be dealing with shock and high-stress levels, and it can be challenging to navigate what to do next. An attorney will help you deal with the situation and advise you on your next steps. Learn more by visiting this car accident lawyer’s website.

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Tell You Your Rights

It can be challenging to determine who is at fault in an accident. Did you have the right of way? What if you were partially to blame for the crash (both you and the other motorist made mistakes)? What are your rights and options going forward?

So many details can change the legal outcome of an accident, and it can be confusing to figure out who’s at fault by yourself.

Explain the circumstances of the accident to the lawyer, so they can advise you on your legal rights and tell you who was in the wrong. Once they know that, they can also start working on collecting evidence to prove negligence.

Preserve And Document Evidence

You will need to collect evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence. That starts with collecting the names of witnesses, taking photographs of the crime scene, and keeping medical bills and hospital records that contain proof of your injuries.

Your lawyer will advise you on how to start collecting evidence. Sometimes, moving things around at the crash scene can lead to a loss of evidence. To avoid such mistakes, have a lawyer by your side.

Deal With The Police

Another common stumbling block after a car crash is dealing with the police. Knowing your rights is the first step. However, you also don’t want to accidentally say anything that might incriminate you when you are not at fault.

An experienced attorney will help you answer common questions you will receive from responding officers on site. They will also tell you what not to mention and what you should tell police officers so they put it in the report.

Navigate The Insurance Claims Process

Similarly, dealing with the insurance company can also be tricky. They might try to get you to say things that will allow them to minimize your compensation and pay you less than you deserve.

While you should report the accident to the insurance company as soon as possible, you should wait to tell them too much immediately until you get advice from a legal professional.

Remember, insurance companies aren’t there to help you get the compensation you deserve. Instead, they’re in business for the profit – and they maximize their profits by trying to decrease the amount of total compensation they pay their clients.

Insurance companies have legal teams that help them find loopholes that allow them to get out of their obligations to you legally. That’s why it’s crucial to have your attorney represent you and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.

Furthermore, your insurance company is less likely to stall if they know you have legal backing. Otherwise, they may drag their feet and delay the claims process. They want to avoid dealing with the hassle of taking things to court and dealing with your lawyer, which would also involve additional legal expenses on their end.

Therefore, a lawyer will motivate the insurance company to settle more quickly.

Represent You In Court

Most of the time, insurance companies try to settle with you instead of taking things to court. In some cases, though, especially when the claim amount is high, you may have difficulty reaching a settlement that is okay with both parties. In that case, the case may end up in court.

You need a lawyer to represent you and ensure you win your case.

Conclusion

The first thing you should do after an accident is to get out of harm’s way. Get your vehicle to the side of the road, if possible, and get out of the car. Then, contact emergency services and call your lawyer for help.