After having an auto accident, you have a lot on your mind. You have to get your vehicle repaired or replaced, take care of duties you missed while you were injured, and play catch up at work. You also have to be concerned with dealing with insurance companies, doctors, and follow-up medical care. Having an attorney after an auto accident gives you some much needed support during this time. Here are three reasons you should hire an attorney after an auto accident.
Prove Your Claim
In order to get full compensation for your auto accident, you will need to be able to prove that you were not at fault, who was at fault, and how the accident happened. Much of this information comes from the scene of the accident. But if you didn’t get photos of the scene or contact information for all witnesses, some investigation may be necessary. At times, a reconstruction expert is needed to determine how the accident happened and who was at fault. An attorney can assist with gathering this and other evidence to prove your claim.
Evaluate Losses
In most cases, you should be able to recover all of your financial losses after a car accident if you were not at fault. This includes lost wages or income due to your injuries and being unable to work. It also includes your medical bills, including ongoing medical expenses that may extend beyond the time of the settlement. In some cases you may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. Only an experienced attorney can make sure you are getting full and fair compensation for all of your losses.
Negotiations
Most auto accident claims are settled through a car insurance company out of court. But because you will likely not go to court in most cases, it is easy for the insurance companies to take advantage of unsuspecting car accident victims who wrongfully believe that the insurance company is on their side. You need an attorney that is an expert in negotiating with the insurance companies and isn’t afraid to take them to court if they don’t offer a reasonable settlement.
Resolving Liens
Even after your auto accident claims are settled, often times, there is still a lot of work to be done. Most accident victims will have liens on their claim. Liens can exist from a medical provider, health insurance carrier, medicare, their own auto insurance, or a variety of other lienholders. Resolving these liens are very important as the liens, among other things, affect the net recovery to the accident victim. You need an experienced personal injury attorney that can effectively resolve the liens on your claim to protect your interests and to maximize your net recovery.
If you have recently been in an auto accident, you should have expert legal representation to support you during this time. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free consultation.