Car accidents can dramatically change a victim’s life. They can cause expensive medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If an insurance company is not covering your losses adequately, it may be time to contact a car accident attorney. Here’s how they can help you.
They Can Help You Gather Evidence
Car accident lawyers help you gather evidence that can be used to prove liability and the full extent of your damages. This includes physical evidence like photographs, skid marks and debris, witness testimony, and official police reports.
Medical bills and paperwork about your injuries and care can also be used as evidence by your attorney. This can support your claim that you are entitled to compensation for special (sometimes known as economic) damages, such as the price of your present and future medical care and lost wages, together with non-economic losses like suffering. Moreover, the car accident lawyers at ColoradoInjuryLaw.com are experienced in handling many personal injury cases in Colorado.
Your attorney may hire outside experts to recreate the accident scene if necessary. They can also collect eyewitness testimony and other statements from family members and friends. They may also obtain and review any surveillance footage that can help establish fault.
They Can Help You Collect Medical Records
The scope of pain and suffering compensation that you can receive will largely be determined by the medical records that document your injuries. The sooner your internal and external injuries are reported, diagnosed, and treated, the more a judge or jury will likely award you for your losses.
Insurance companies are trying to minimize their payouts, and adjusters will quickly comb through your medical records, looking for any information that could be used against you. For this reason, you should never sign a release giving the insurance company carte blanche access to your medical history; only let your car accident lawyer view select information that is relevant to your case. You should also keep track of your treatment and document everything that occurs as you recover from your injuries.
They Can Help You Gather Witnesses
Car accident lawyers can help you collect witness statements to strengthen your case. A witness statement is a recorded narrative of a person’s memories of a collision. These are important in personal injury claims because they can help establish fault and prove your damages.
Eyewitness statements should be collected immediately after the crash when their memories remain fresh. Additionally, your attorney could bring in specialists to testify on your behalf. For example, a financial expert witness can testify about your potential future income loss and how it relates to the accident. This type of expert can also help you determine the total value of your claim. Other experts may testify about mental health issues resulting from the crash.
They Can Help You Collect Insurance Information
Car accident attorneys can inform clients about the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This can help you avoid taking a low-ball offer and ensure that you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, and vehicle repair costs.
They can also help you estimate future medical expenses and other financial losses related to the crash, including loss of quality of life or the inability to enjoy your favorite activities. They may even be able to show that the at-fault driver acted recklessly or maliciously and that you are entitled to punitive damages. They also know the unique laws involving car accidents. This also applies to the statute of limitations, the deadline by which you must submit a lawsuit through the legal system.
They Can Help You Negotiate
Obtaining compensation for car accident damages can be a complicated process. An attorney can help you identify all the losses you are entitled to claim, including medical bills, loss of income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
They can provide you with a detailed account of the accident, your injuries, and your anticipated future expenses. They can also rely on expert witnesses to help substantiate your claims.
Many people without a lawyer settle for far less than their claim is worth. An experienced car accident lawyer knows what your claim is worth and will fight to get you the total amount. If negotiations break down, they can file a lawsuit to obtain the compensation you deserve. This can take time and cost, but it is a way to protect your rights.
