Should I Retain a Car Accident Lawyer for an Accident Caused by Another?

If you weren’t aware, you have the ability to retain a car accident lawyer after you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault. Some accident victims may assume that they don’t need an attorney because their accident was especially “obvious” or “cut and dry.” However, accident claimants need to be able to prove their case, and this is certainly easier said than done, no matter how simple the circumstances may seem.

While claimants are certainly not required to seek representation, it provides certain benefits that you wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise, including the ability to file suit, access to high-quality resources, and peace of mind. Not to mention, accidents generally result in painful injuries and high costs, and an experienced attorney–such as those from Van Law Firm– can give you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation. 

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Receiving comprehensive medical attention after an accident is important regardless of whether or not you retain an accident lawyer. However, if you choose not to seek representation, you will have to stay on top of everything surrounding your claim in addition to your treatments. If you do retain an attorney, you can be free to focus on your health while a professional handles the legal tasks.

Not only that, but an attorney may have the connections to get you better treatment than you would have received otherwise, which can be a huge boon to those with limited insurance or none at all. Keeping track of your expenses is a vital component to any claim, and lawyers and firms are great at formulating your damages. Oftentimes they uncover additional forms of compensation that you may not have even considered. 

Examples of Legal Resources an Attorney Can Provide 

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Even though accidents are common, most claimants are not entirely familiar with how the claim process works. Conversely, attorneys handle dozens of claims at any given time–they are essentially a legal cheat sheet that can answer questions and concerns throughout the process, which is much more of an asset than it may sound on paper. Claimants who are aware of where their claim stands generally have much less stress and anxiety overall. 

Additionally, attorneys are very skilled at collecting and preserving all pertinent information and evidence, which eventually makes up the bulk of your claim. Here are just a few of the forms of evidence that a car accident attorney can procure: 

• Witness statements from those who may have been present 
• Police reports that include vital accident details 
• Expert testimonies that can be very influential in proving your claim 
• Medical records and other documents that can establish a claimant’s damages 

The Claimant’s Burden of Proving Negligence

Regardless of the circumstances, every claimant must prove negligence on behalf of the defendant(s). An accident lawyer will be well-versed in the four elements of negligence, which are as follows: 

• Duty of care: The defendant was obligated to act reasonably and safely 
• Breach of duty: The defendant acted in such a manner that breached the duty of care
• Correlation: This breach was then responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries in some way 
• Demonstrable damages: As a result of his or her injuries, the plaintiff suffered demonstrable damages (both economic and non-economic losses) 

The Various Forms of Damages an Attorney May Help You Recover 

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Perhaps the biggest advantage of retaining an attorney is the amount of compensation they can help you recover. On average, claimants who are represented by a lawyer will recover nearly three times as much as they would on their own. Potential damages include:  

• Medical expenses 
• Lost wages and benefits 
• Property damage 
• Non-economic losses such as pain and suffering 
• And more 

Let Your Attorney Negotiate With Insurers 

No matter what commercial or slogan you may have seen, insurance companies are not your friend, and this is made clear as soon as you file a claim. In all likelihood, they will do their best to delay or deny your claim. Luckily, an attorney can step in and handle the correspondence. They will cut through lowball settlement offers or unnecessary delays and put the pressure on them to pay fair value for your claim. A large percentage of personal injury attorneys also have experience with insurance defense, which is a huge advantage, especially if the case goes to trial. 

Contact Award-Winning Car Accident Lawyers From Van Law Firm

If you’re debating whether or not to retain an attorney for your accident claim, or if an insurer is offering you less than what your claim warrants, simply call the Van Law Firm office nearest you today to schedule a risk-free consultation with experienced and versatile car accident lawyers today. We have the resources and the drive to tackle any claim effectively, no matter the circumstances–call today to learn more about the Van Law Firm standard.