A car accident is sometimes the unfortunate result of a negligent driver or a faulty vehicle. If you're involved in such a mishap and get injured, it's vital to consult a personal injury lawyer in your state. For instance, if you're scouring the web for a car accident lawyer in las vegas NV, consider partnering with Jones Wilson Injury Lawyers - a team of fierce representatives dedicated to fighting for you and helping you get a favorable outcome.
All the same, an auto accident can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Plus, it's easy to feel powerless when navigating legal processes, explaining the need to work with a personal injury attorney. With that in mind, here's a walkthrough of how a legal professional can help you in your legal proceedings.
1. Investigating the CrashFollowing an accident, a lot can go wrong. For instance, the other party might dispute your version of what transpired or try to escape liability. Likewise, as you recover, an insurance company may take advantage of your weakened state and try to pressure you into accepting fault for the accident. They might also offer you a lower settlement than your actual damages - this enables them to close their case and move on quickly.
A car accident lawyer can help investigate the crash to prove your innocence and demonstrate liability. The investigative process is integral to the defensive or offensive strategies they'll utilize when representing your case in court (more on this below). To this end, they do the following:
- Assess the scene of the crash
- Collect evidence (witness testimony, pictures of the crash, etc.)
- Analyze state-specific laws to determine fault
- Gather medical records and expert testimonies
- Hire reconstruction experts to establish the occurrences at the time of the crash
- Acquire video footage, if available, to shed light on the situation
- Review the accident report
Coordinating these activities while nursing an injury is challenging and almost impossible. Thus, your lawyer does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on recovery. In other words, attorneys handle the legal aspects, so you don't have to.
2. Formulating a Legal StrategyEvery battle-hardened soldier will tell you that you can't win simply because you take up arms. Plus, even with the best arsenal, you must prepare a well-thought-out legal strategy to win.
Personal injury lawyers have an in-depth understanding of applicable laws. Thus, they can leverage this knowledge to devise a winning formula. For instance, if they evaluate your case and note that the other party's negligence caused the accident and subsequent damages, they can use this information to craft an offensive strategy.
On the contrary, if they ascertain that proving fault might be challenging, they can adopt a defensive stance and strive to reduce or dismiss liability altogether. Regardless of their approach, lawyers do their due diligence and leave no stone unturned when fighting for your rights.
3. Estimating Your DamagesCar accident injuries can cause financial strain. Besides, you might need long-term treatment. However, establishing the actual cost of such an injury can be challenging as non-financial losses are difficult to quantify.
A car accident lawyer can use their legal acumen and accounting knowledge to estimate your damages accurately. Think of them as experienced number crunchers, if you will. They may also enlist the help of an economist or a financial expert to help with the task. In this regard, your list of damages may include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Repair or replacement costs for damaged property
- Lost earnings - present and future
- Funeral costs - if a loved one succumbed to injuries
- Loss of consortium - or inability to engage in relationships
These damages call for a detailed assessment of your situation to estimate their monetary value. A legal team can review your case and determine the compensation to seek from the other party.
As a result, you can pursue a fair settlement or trial award. What's more, crafting a comprehensive list of applicable losses creates a foundation for mounting a compelling case following a car accident.
4. Negotiating with InsurersAn insurance company is a business whose goal is to reduce costs and increase profits. As a result, such firms are notorious for taking advantage of victims who lack legal knowledge. For instance, it's not uncommon for them to deploy low-balling tactics.
Besides handling communication with insurers, which can be intimidating, a car accident lawyer can defend against unfair offers. For starters, they understand how insurance companies operate and the strategies they use. In addition, they can assess and present evidence to give you an edge during negotiations.
Additionally, they can access industry databases containing information on past settlements related to similar cases. Such data can be priceless during settlement talks as insurers are more likely to agree to an offer close to the average payout for such a claim.
And since your lawyer is conversant with the details of your case, they can make a counteroffer that aligns with the evidence and legal precedents. Moreover, an attorney can take your case to trial if you and the other party fail to reach an amicable settlement.
5. Representing Your Case in CourtMost personal injury cases (over 90%) settle out of court. However, if it comes down to a jury trial, you need an attorney with the right qualifications and experience to guide you through the process - hold your hand, if we may. To that end, your attorney can help by:
- Filing the relevant paperwork within the statute of limitations
- Cross-examining or questioning the other party's witnesses
- Presenting your case logically to the judge and jury
- Calling expert witnesses to testify on your behalf
- Providing relevant evidence
- Making arguments to refute opposing claims
At the same time, they can provide an unbiased assessment of your case and let you know what to expect. For instance, if the evidence in your favor is weak, they can advise you to accept a settlement offer. Conversely, they may suggest you go through the court process if the likelihood of success is high.
Similarly, standing your ground may force the other side to increase their offer to avoid a long-drawn trial. In other words, a lawyer's invaluable insight may swing the case in your favor.
A lawyer's guidance through oft-complex legal proceedings can significantly impact the outcome of your car accident case. Their knowledge of the law, coupled with their experience in the courtroom, can help you get justice and fair compensation. Hence, it pays to have them in your corner at every stage of the process.