Suppose you have just been in a car accident. Your car’s damaged, you’re shaken up, and you don’t even know what to do next. At that moment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, knowing what steps to take can help things turn out in your favor.
These steps include checking your own health and others involved and gathering details of the scene while protecting yourself. Further, most accidents get worked out through insurance, but sometimes, you must call a lawyer.
That said, a car accident attorney can guide you in the right direction if you’ve had a serious injury, got into an accident due to someone else’s fault, or are being offered a low settlement.
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This guide will show you how to proceed after an accident and when you should seek an attorney for legal support.
When To Call an Attorney
Many car accidents are simple enough to be resolved through insurance claims alone. However, there are certain situations where a car accident attorney is necessary.
Legal expertise can play a big role in some of these situations-
1. Severely Injured
It’s important to seek out the services of a car accident attorney if you or anybody else involved in the accident is seriously injured. It is because hefty costs in medical bills, time off work, and emotional pain that can linger for months or years are often accompanied by serious injuries.
Here, a skilled attorney can help you get the compensation you need to pay for these expenses and aid with your recovery. Moreover, if there is a fatality, a wrongful death claim may be appropriate to help the family cope with such a loss.
That said, it is a claim that can pay out for lost income and emotional distress caused by this tragedy. However, you should ensure to hire an attorney who has the expertise and knowledge related to your local law.
So, if you, for instance, reside in Valdosta and meet with an accident, look for the top Valdosta car accident attorney who has relevant knowledge regarding your local state rules to secure the legal help you need to navigate these rough situations.
As a result, you can focus on healing as they handle the work to get you the compensation you deserve.
2. Unclear Liability or Dispute
Things get complicated when it is unclear who’s at fault in an accident or because multiple parties are involved. Being involved in a dispute about who’s responsible can make the claims process stressful and difficult to follow.
An experienced car accident attorney can really help in that regard. What’s more, a good lawyer will help gather all the evidence, from accident reports to witness statements and even video, to put a case together and figure out exactly what happened.
They could also work with these experts to reconstruct the accident and build a case that is as strong as possible for you. Also, they will negotiate with insurance companies plus anyone else related to the accident to ensure that you will be treated fairly and won’t be blamed for it.
3. Unfair Settlement or Denied Claims by Insurance Companies
After a car accident, insurance companies can be very frustrating to deal with, even more so if they are unwilling to offer a settlement you feel is enough to cover your car repairs, medical expenses, and lost wages.
They try to pay you as little money as possible, leaving you more stressed and less resources. So, if the settlement is unfair or you were denied without any reason, contact a car accident attorney.
They will negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure they don’t rip you off. Additionally, they will gather the needed evidence and paperwork to help challenge any claim denials.
With that said, an experienced attorney will make the odds in your favor for a fair settlement that truly reflects your losses due to the accident.
4. Wrongfully Sued
After a car accident, it is not unusual for the other party to file a lawsuit against you, which can feel overwhelming and scary. Even if you are sure you were not at fault, navigating this legal process on your own can be difficult.
That is where hiring an experienced car accident attorney comes into play. Your rights will be protected as they work to build a strong defense and help you understand your options.
They will get all the evidence necessary to present a case and deal with your legal paperwork. Further, they will work earnestly, whether while negotiating with the other party to get you the best possible outcome or defend you in court.
5. Commercial or Government Vehicle Accidents
Crashes involving commercial vehicles like trucks, buses, and government-owned vehicles can be more complicated than the usual accidents. Due to corporate policies, government rules and insurance requirements, these accidents can often come with additional challenges.
For example, in such accidents, there are usually big insurance companies and corporate lawyers to deal with. Plus, government vehicle accidents involve their own legal issues.
That’s why hiring a reliable accident attorney is vital to have. They will deal with the legal stuff, negotiate with the insurance companies and ensure you are not taken advantage of.
6. Wrongdoing by the Other Party
If the accident was due to reckless driving, DUI, distracted driving, or faulty manufacturer parts, seek out a lawyer.
These are often clear-cut cases of wrongdoing, and an experienced attorney can assist with what happened, gather the evidence needed, and file a personal injury lawsuit against the wrongdoer.
They’ll work hard to help hold the person or company that’s at fault accountable and help get you compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and more.
What To Do Immediately After an Accident
There are a few steps you should take immediately after an accident, like-
1. Look for Injuries
You should check if you are injured first after a car accident. That said, go to the doctor immediately if you or anyone else involved is injured.
2. Move to a Safe Location
You should move your vehicle away from the accident to a place of safety, like the side of the road, to prevent more accidents.
3. Call the Police
In many cases, you will need to call the police, particularly when an injury or a lot of damage is involved. A police report can be invaluable when you need to file a claim against an insurance company or when legal action is being taken.
Conclusion
Navigating through accidents can be a challenging process. However, knowing what to do and when to call an attorney can smoothen the process.
For example, you should seek an attorney for serious injury, unclear liability, unfair settlement, wrongfully sued, commercial or government vehicle accident, or wrongdoing by the other party.
Furthermore, immediately after an accident, you should also look for injuries, move to a secure place and call the police. This way, you will be able to maneuver through your accident journey with less stress.
