Should I Get an Attorney After a Car Accident
Contacting an attorney after a car accident may not be a top priority for some accident victims. Seeking medical care is the top priority after a car wreck. However, when a person is injured in a car crash, he or she may need to hire a lawyer to handle their case for several reasons. One of the top reasons is that an accident attorney helps injured parties take all steps to protect their rights to hold a negligent driver responsible for their damages.
When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident
Because each car accident case is unique, the reasons to hire an attorney may differ from case to case. Below are the top five reasons why a person involved in a car accident needs to get an attorney.
Proving Liability Can Be Difficult
To recover money for insurance claims, victims must prove that another party was “at fault” for the crash. An attorney understands how to investigate a car wreck to identify the responsible party. In addition, the attorney gathers and protects evidence to prove the other party was at fault. Evidence may include the police report, photographs of the accident scene, eyewitness statements, medical records, and physical evidence from the vehicles.
Calculating the Value of the Claim
Many individuals do not know how to calculate the value of an injury claim. Many factors impact the value of a claim, including medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses. Pain and suffering damages are also a substantial portion of the value of a claim. An experienced lawyer knows what damages to include in the value of a claim. By consulting an attorney, a victim may increase the chance of recovering full compensation for all damages. Otherwise, the insurance company may undervalue the claim.
Insurance Companies Have Teams of Professionals to Protect Their Interests
During the claims process, the company employs many professionals to investigate and evaluate the claim. It is important to remember that an insurance adjuster does not represent the victim. The adjuster and others working for the insurance provider protect the best interest of the company. The best interest of the company in auto accidents is to pay the lowest amount possible to settle injury claims. Therefore, the victim’s best interest and the company’s interests conflict.
An accident victim deserves to have a team of legal professionals working on his behalf to protect his best interest. An accident lawyer stands in between a huge insurance company and an injured victim to protect the person from unfair and unjust tactics used to underpay an accident claim. By hiring an attorney, the injured victim increases his odds of a fair settlement.
Statutes of Limitations
Arizona laws limit the time victims have to file a lawsuit for different types of cases. If a person fails to file a lawsuit before the deadline, he loses his right to hold a negligent driver liable for damages. Attorneys monitor deadlines to ensure a claim is settled or a lawsuit is filed prior to the expiration of the deadline. In most cases, lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of the traffic accident.
However, exceptions exist to the general rule. In cases involving government entities, the deadline to file a notice of claim could be 180 days or less from the date of the crash. Therefore, it is in a victim’s best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Calculation of Future Damages
Accident victims who suffer permanent disabilities may be entitled to future damages, including medical expenses and loss of income. Calculating future damages can be complicated. In many cases, experts estimate the cost of ongoing medical care and loss of future income for an accident claim. An attorney can retain expert witnesses to assist in preparing a detailed report supporting an award of future damages.
Arizona Accident Lawyers Fight for Justice
By taking advantage of a free case review, accident victims learn about their legal rights and options. It is always in a person’s best interest to learn about all his options and legal rights before speaking with an insurance adjuster or provider.
Contact our office by calling 480-802-8232 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney. Amar Esq. PLLC is a law firm located in Scottsdale, Arizona.