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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022 alone, over 38,000 people are reported to have died, and more than 4.5 million have been injured in motor vehicle crashes. The aftermath of a car accident can be very hard to deal with because they involve not only physical injuries but also emotional distress and high financial costs. For example, average medical expenses for injuries sustained during vehicular collisions are said to be around $20,000. This is why victims usually hire lawyers and fight for the compensation necessary to cover these expenses in their recovery.
In addition, the 2023 IIHS study revealed that getting hurt in an accident of this magnitude may result in long-term financial burdens such as diminished work ability and expensive health treatments. Thanks to the services of a car accident attorney in this regard, who provides legal advice, investigates thoroughly, and negotiates with insurers and ensures you are compensated not only for what happened at present but also for what will happen in the future.
- Legal Advice
A proper claim can only be filed if the intricacies of car accident laws are navigated correctly. A car accident lawyer provides:
- Clarification of Legal Rights: They will tell you the existing rules and principles, like negligence, and how they affect your case.
- Understand Local Laws: These lawyers are knowledgeable in local laws such as the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim and comparative fault rules that may affect how much you can recover for damages. For more on your legal rights after an accident, see FindLaw’s section on the law of personal injuries.
- Thorough Investigation
A good argument calls for in-depth analysis. Your attorney will:
- Gather Evidence: Obtain all the crucial documents, prepare a copy of the police report, photographs from the scene, and security video recordings. A well-documented report raises the prospect of a positive outcome by up to 30%.
- Interview Witnesses: Get the witness statements to make your case stronger. In a study by the American Bar Association, it was found that the witnesses’ testimonies are one of the crucial factors that determine the success of personal injury cases.
- Review Medical Records: Go through the medical records and seek the advice of healthcare professionals. Well-documented medical records can increase compensation by up to 20%. According to the American Medical Association, this was their conclusion from a survey conducted in 2023. To learn more about using medical evidence as legal evidence, read Nolo’s article about gathering medical evidence.
- Accurate Damage Valuation
To secure fair compensation, a lawyer will:
- Assess Immediate Costs: Identify bills for treatments and lost wages due to missed work. Medical expenses for accident injuries are more than $20,000 on average, according to CDC reports.
- Assess Long-Term Effects: Consider the likelihood of future medical care and the potential loss of earning potential. Surveys by the Bureau of Labor Statistics have placed lifetime earnings from injuries at 50 percent of permanent disability types.
- Include Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering matters, emotional disturbance. The Journal of Injury and Violence Research reported that non-economic damages account for nearly 30% to the entire recoverable value of personal injury cases.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies generally try to pay as little as possible. It’s the duty of the lawyer to:
- Negotiate Settlements: Act on behalf of you and negotiate fair settlements with insurance adjusters. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) states that claims overseen by attorneys are 40% more likely to be settled for higher amounts.
- Fight for Your Rights: Do not take the insurance company’s lowball offers. IRC research indicates that represented insured clients have settlements averaging 3.5 times higher than non-represented ones.
- Representing You in Court
If your case does see the light of trial, then an auto accident attorney will:
- Prepare for Court: Handle legal filings, organize evidence, and prepare witness testimonies. According to the ABA, cases that are well-prepared have a success rate 60% higher than others.
- Present Your Case: Represent you in court, presenting evidence and making arguments. According to the National Center for State Courts, those who have attorneys are 50% more likely to win their cases.
- Manage Discovery: Be in charge of the process of exchanging evidence to improve your chances at trial by up to 25%, as reported by ABA.
An automobile accident attorney is helpful in guiding you through the convoluted legal and insurance procedures so that medical bills, lost wages, and other compensation for all damages are fully provided.
By Chris Bates