Do you need a car accident lawyer after an accident?

Statistics have proven that at least once in our lifetime, we will all be involved in a car accident. An estimated 1.2 million people die each year from car accidents and more than forty times that amount are injured. Whether it be your fault or the fault of the other driver, it is important for you to know a few things about what to do after a car accident. Many people exchange insurance information in a fender bender and hope that their insurance companies will take car of all the problems. However, there have been times when you need to contact a car accident lawyer to deal with more serious problems. Failure to be aware of what to do after a car accident could cost you time, money, and even your health.

What to do immediately following a car accident.
Stop immediately following the car accident. Failure to stop after a car accident could mean a misdemeanor or a felony depending if there is property damage or injuries to the other party involved. Next, call 911 and report the accident immediately. If there are injuries involved, report them as well to the dispatcher so they can send proper medical help. If you are injured, take an ambulance to the hospital. Never refuse aid if you need it, otherwise this could cost you in court if you discover you have injures associated with the accident that were not immediately treated.

Watch for ongoing traffic and try to alert other drivers to the accident to avoid further collisions and injuries. Do not leave your vehicle, wait for police to come and direct traffic. Since traffic accidents tend to attract on lookers, never stand in front of your car or turn your back to oncoming traffic, you are risking getting hit by on lookers who are not paying attention to the road. When the police arrive, ask for a police report to be made. Get the personal information of the other parties involved in the car accident. Make sure you obtain their names, contact numbers, addresses, driver's license and insurance information. If there are any witnesses to the car accident, be sure to obtain their contact information as well. Witnesses can help if you later become involved in a court case. Take photographs of the vehicles involved, the injuries involved by the parties and surroundings to include the road where the accident happened as well as traffic lights or signs if there are any.

After you have taken the necessary procedures above, remember not to sign anything or admit to anything. There have been cases of the driver of the other vehicle and his or her insurance agent conning you into signing something admitting fault or negligence on the car accident. If you feel your insurance company is working hard for you and you are obtaining the care and treatment you feel you deserve, then you can sit back and relax. Chances are, this is not going to be the case with the deceptions that sometimes happen with insurance agents and the other party involved and you will need to seek legal advice. With the aid of a lawyer, you can rest assured that your legal rights are protected.

You are considered to be part of a car accident if you were the driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or another person involved in the car accident. If you were injured in the car accident, you most likely will have a lawsuit you can file. However, if you came out of the car accident with minor bumps and bruises, it is unlikely you will have a valid lawsuit. A valid legal claim can be filed if you sustained serious injuries because of the accident and you required hospitalization and/or ongoing medical care, or if you have become permanently disable due to the accident.

Negligence:
Negligence is defined as "failure to use reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle". The police report will determine who is at fault and determine if it was negligence by you or the other party involved. Disobeying traffic signals or signs, failure to signal when turning, failure to follow the speed limit, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol all indicates negligence on your part or on the other parties' part. If the injuries you sustained are a result of a driver's negligence, you are likely to have a solid legal claim.

When to hire a car accident lawyer.
A car accident lawyer has experience and expertise of auto accident law and will do all the research necessary and talk to your insurance company and the insurance company of the other party to make sure you are getting the compensation you deserve. Many times insurance companies will try and pay the minimum amount they need in an auto accident case. If you are not properly educated on how to make sure you are getting the money you deserve, you could be cutting yourself short on hundred, thousands, or even millions of dollars.

When you are dealing with the opposing insurance company and they are giving you a hard time, you should consider contacting an auto accident lawyer. Here are two reasons to look for when deciding if you should seek a lawyer. Reason number one, it takes the insurance company more than 36 hours to return your call after your initial call. Reason number two, if your insurance company doesn't provide you with a rental vehicle in 72 hours, or they fight you on how much your vehicle is worth. Overall, if you feel your insurance company is taking advantage of you or is not treating you with respect, you should contact a lawyer immediately.

Typically what happens if you are injured in an auto accident claim is as follows. You make a claim against the insurance company and collect money for your injuries. Insurance companies act quickly, trying to offer a settlement before the injured party is fully recovered. This tactic by the insurance company is shrewd. Many times following an accident, you can be diagnosed with minor injuries that can turn out to be a serious injury requiring extended treatment.

A settlement is final. If you settle too soon, you can't ask for some money now and leave an option for coming back and asking for more money later if further complications or treatment arise. This is why you should consider having a car accident lawyer working for you. They are able to file a claim and make the insurance company wait before settling a claim, thereby allowing you the full compensation you deserve.

Most accident lawyers will handle the car accident case on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee basis means they receive the percentage of your settlement as their remuneration, so they get their fees only id they can get you your insurance and compensation money. This makes it more realistic for you to choose a car accident lawyer instead of assuming they have large upfront fees or will require a large payment if they don't win your case.

Referrals from friends, colleagues, and family members are usually the best place to start when seeking a car accident lawyer. You know the people you are asking advice from and you can decide if they have sound advice or not. Always choose a car accident lawyer you feel comfortable with and don't feel bad if you interview with a few different lawyers or companies. Ask a lot of questions and ask for their suggestions on how they would handle your case. Sometimes the best lawyer is not one you like. A lawyer who appears to be charming and persuasive, but their professional skills may be lacking. Taking the time to research your lawyer's background, case information, and referrals from people who know them is another great place to start. In the end, you should have a lawyer who has your best interests in mind.

When you meet with your car accident lawyer you should discuss your claim. The two of you will go over the exact details of the car accident and you should provide him/her with all documentation and references you have from the car accident. Your lawyer will then begin gathering evidence and doing research based on the facts you gave.

Never feel stifled in asking questions. Your lawyer should clearly explain the entire legal process in relation to your claim. If you have any doubts, concerns, or need clarification, ask your lawyer to explain it.

From here, your auto accident lawyer will begin negotiating with your insurance company and the insurance company of the other parties involved to get you the settlement you deserve.

Be prepared to go to court. Most auto accident claims can be settled outside of the court room, but there are times where the justice system has to be involved. Have all your proper documentation of the car accident and witness accounts ready in case you need to appear in court.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should immediately contact an auto accident lawyer. You deserve to seek compensation for your injuries. Knowing that you have a good lawyer by your side, helping you fight for justice, will pay off in the long run.