How a Car Accident Lawyer Helps You Win Your Case

Insurance is supposed to cover you if you're in a car accident. However, insurance companies have a bottom line to meet and due diligence to perform. While they are doing their work, you have bills to pay and commitments to take care of. If insurance isn't stepping up to cover the long-term losses you may be facing, you may need to file a lawsuit.

Car Accidents Are Disruptive

No matter who was at fault, you may need to replace your car. You may also be facing serious health challenges or need supportive care to overcome the injuries sustained in the accident.

If you are conscious, do your due diligence. By the end of the exchange at the site of the car accident, you should have

● contact information from the other driver
● insurance information
● a grasp on who was at fault: Was a ticket issued and to whom?
● a partial understanding of any injuries you may have suffered

If any party had to be taken away by ambulance, getting this documentation would take time. Go the extra mile to get the information you need.

Injuries May Not Be Obvious

One of the challenges at the time of the wreck is that your adrenaline will be flowing. You may be agitated, unhappy, or thankful to be alive. The point is that you're probably not fully aware of any injuries you may have suffered. Be extremely careful with your personal well-being at this time. Get checked out by your doctor.

If you are taken to the emergency room, make sure you do not sign anything from any insurance company. You're not in a good mental place to approve anything. Because car accident lawsuits are considered to be personal injury cases, you may have a limited time to file. If you feel pressured to sign any insurance documentation, contact a competent nyc car accident lawyer to help you through the process.

Understand the Timeline

If there is contention between what you are offered and what you need to move beyond your injury, it may take time for your lawyer to negotiate a settlement or prepare for trial. You may need to apply for temporary disability or other sources of funds to replace your wages, depending on the severity of your suffering.

Your attorney can help you determine the best path to take when seeking damages beyond replacing your vehicle and covering your medical bills. The best option you can get may take more time to fully payout.

Special Damage Considerations

Insurance has items it is required to cover, such as the replacement cost on your vehicle and your medical bills. However, your attorney can help to ramp up the multiplier that will raise the settlement you can get for special damages.

If your car accident totals your car and you're injured and unable to work for a month, your losses may be $10,000. Should the insurance company offer a multiplier of two, you would receive a $20,000 payout. If the accident leaves you in chronic pain, or if you have to undergo long-term therapy to get your strength back, your attorney may be able to get you a higher payout at a greater multiplier.

It is critically important that you do not accept any settlement offer until you are fully aware of the breadth of your injuries. Understanding the entire scope of your pain and suffering will take time.

Paying the Attorney

As a general rule, car accident attorneys get paid at the end of the settlement process. If you don't get a settlement, they don't receive payment. However, that is another factor that the injured party needs to determine early in the hiring process.

This form of payment is called a contingency fee agreement. As a general rule, this payout is approximately 1/3 of the payout. If you and your attorney are discussing multipliers and payout options and you are concerned that your goal seems high, understand that you will not be getting the total payout.

Car wrecks are a huge jolt to the body, brain and spirit. They can scramble your schedule and get your adrenaline racing. You're not in a good place to make the best decision right after a car wreck, so don't. However, there are limitations as to how long you can wait to file. Contact a car accident attorney as soon as you've visited your doctor.