The first thing you need to do after a car accident is find a lawyer. Your attorney will investigate your case and help you make a demand from the insurance company for compensation. The amount of time your attorney needs to take to complete the process depends on the circumstances of your case and how complex it is.
Gather Evidence Immediately Following an Accident
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your lawyer will be able to help you get medical care quickly. They can work with your doctors to obtain copies of your medical records and provide a thorough report on the state of your health. This will assist your legal team in preparing the demands for a settlement and can be particularly helpful if you are injured in a head-on collision.
Resolve Liability and Other Claims Through Negotiations
When you hire a car accident attorney, they will begin by reviewing your claim to determine how much money is needed for damages. This will include past and future medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you have endured.
In addition, your attorney will look at the impact of your injuries on your life. This can include the costs of current and future medical treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and employment training. They will also consider the emotional trauma you have suffered as a result of your accident.
Your lawyer can also help you file claims with your health insurance and disability benefits to cover the cost of lost income and other expenses. This can be a great way to reduce the financial strain after an accident. Recommended this site car accident lawyer washington dc.
Prove Negligence and Other Facts
The first step in filing a car accident claim is to prove that the other driver was negligent, which means they were putting their lives in danger by not taking the necessary precautions. To do this, your attorney will examine the scene of the accident and your medical records. Then, they will interview witnesses and review police reports.
Once they have the information they need, your attorney will file a claim with the other driver’s insurance provider. They may use a private investigator to collect additional evidence, such as surveillance videos.
Next, your attorney will calculate your actual damages and make a demand for compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. Then, your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to reach a fair and reasonable settlement.
If the other driver’s insurance company refuses to pay, your attorney will file a lawsuit in court. This is the most serious and costly of all the steps in your car accident claim, but it can be worth it if you are able to secure a favorable outcome.
During this time, your attorney will continue to make demands and meet with the insurance company’s representatives. They will often attempt to settle the case by offering a small settlement, and this can sometimes lead to a compromise before your case ever goes to trial.