Car Accident Injuries
Car accident cases can be more complicated than you might imagine, requiring technical evidence, expert witnesses and specific legal knowledge. Statutes of limitations may limit your ability to file a claim if you don't act fast.
Most importantly, talking to the insurance company before you've talked with an injury lawyer can harm or even destroy your case.
Often, when you've been in a car accident, an insurance company will contact you and offer to work with you directly to settle your claim. The insurance company may make it sound like this is to your advantage - like it will help you to settle your case more quickly, and you'll save money on injury attorney fees.
The insurance company may try to get you to make statements that can damage your case so they won't have to pay you as much as you may deserve - or anything at all.
When they do offer a quick settlement, it's because they want to get a commitment from you quickly, before you learn your rights. Once you've entered into an agreement you will be barred from seeking additional compensation if you later find out that your case was worth more than they paid - even if your injuries were more extensive or required more medical care than you expected.
Don't jeopardize your case! Talk to a car accident attorneys before you talk to the insurance company.
Injury Claim Information
Injury lawyers can help. When you speak with a local personal injury attorney, you'll learn about the losses you may be able to recover for, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Diminished "enjoyment of life"
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your car and other property
Members of your family may, in some cases, be entitled to recover for some of their losses based on your injury, and in certain cases you may even be entitled to punitive damages.
Car Accident Information
Although we refer to these unexpected events as car "accidents," the truth is that there's almost always someone at fault. Car accidents are commonly caused by:
- Poorly designed vehicles, especially vans and SUVs
- Hazardous railroad crossings
- Poorly maintained roads and construction-related rerouting and congestion
- Drivers operating vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Commercial drivers being pressured by companies to exceed state and federal safety regulations regarding the number of hours they drive
- Defective tires, airbags, and other automobile-related products and accessories
- Reckless or negligent drivers who drive too fast, disregard traffic signals and weather conditions, or devote their attention to cell phones and CD players instead of the road
Car Accident Lawsuits
Car accident litigation can be complex and time consuming, but a personal injury attorney can gather the evidence necessary to argue your case. Where insurance companies are involved many car accident cases are settled without a trial.
Once your attorney has gathered sufficient information to prove that you were injured, that the other party was at fault and that you sustained personal injury, the insurance company will often realize that a trial would only result in unnecessary expense. At that point, your lawyer can negotiate to make sure you receive a settlement that fairly compensates you.
If an acceptable settlement isn't offered, your case may go to trial. At the trial, your injury attorney will present evidence to prove that you were injured and that the other party was at fault, and to demonstrate the damages you should be compensated for.
If the other party doesn't have insurance, and doesn't have enough income or assets to satisfy your judgment, you may be able to recover from your state's uninsured or under-insured motorist fund. This can be a complicated process, but an injury lawyer can help negotiate it.
Injury Lawyers
Car accident cases can be difficult to navigate, and you want to make sure that you understand all of your rights and options before you make a commitment that may not be in your best interests.
If you've been injured and someone else is at fault, find out more about your rights and options from an injury lawyer before you take action. Call us toll-free at 1 (877) 288-7564 or fill out our free case evaluation form to be connected with a personal injury attorney in your area within minutes.