If you’re like many drivers, car accident claims aren’t something you think about until you’re dealing with the aftermath of a collision. Unless you’ve been through the process before, you likely don’t know what to expect or how to make the best choices for your situation. Hiring a car accident lawyer in the Huntsville and Rockdale, TX, area will ensure you have an advocate working to protect your rights and guide you through seeking compensation.
In the stressful days following an accident, the last thing you want to be doing is figuring out how to file an accident claim. If your vehicle suffered major damage, your focus should be finding alternative means of transportation and locating a reputable mechanic or body shop. If you were injured in the collision, you’ll need to be seeking medical care and should rest, not spend your time trying to teach yourself the best practices for filing a claim.
Whether you need to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, your insurance company, or both, having a Rockdale, TX, lawyer handle your claim gives you the freedom to focus on taking care of yourself. During the days following an accident, you need to be able to devote your energy to minimizing the collision’s impact on your day-to-day life and healing from your injuries. Dealing with the hassle of filing a claim can leave you overwhelmed.
Reasons to Have a Huntsville, TX, Accident Attorney Handle Your Claim
Handling a car accident claim on your own is possible, and some drivers and accident victims choose to do so. However, even though some individuals opt to forgo legal guidance, there are better options for your situation. Keep reading to discover the numerous benefits of working with a skilled car accident lawyer and why contacting a professional to handle your claim should be at the top of your to-do list after a collision.
To Allow You to Recover From the Collision
As your body heals from the injuries you sustained in the accident, you’ll want to be able to rest, not field calls from insurance adjusters. You may be trying to figure out how to fit specialist appointments and physical therapy into your schedule or even be preparing for surgery, and you’ll need to devote your energy to taking care of yourself.
It’s also crucial to remember that even if your physical injuries from the accident are not severe, being in a collision is traumatic and can leave you too emotionally drained to make big decisions. Having a lawyer on your side allows you to take the time you need to recuperate and ensures that you aren’t pushed into accepting an unfair settlement offer because you don’t have the emotional energy to seek fair compensation for your losses.
To Have Support When Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies know that you are overwhelmed by the accident and may try to encourage you to make choices that are not in your best interest. They may blame you for the collision or try to get you to make statements that downplay your injuries or damage. Unfortunately, it can be hard for accident victims to tell when insurance companies are manipulating them because the representatives often position themselves as trying to help.
It’s essential to remember that the insurance companies are looking out for themselves, not you. Their goal is to pay as little in compensation as possible, even if it means you get left paying for bills that shouldn’t be your responsibility. When you hire a lawyer, they will communicate with the insurance company for you and protect you from adjusters who might try to take advantage of your inexperience with the claims filing process.
To Collect Evidence Supporting Your Claim
For your claim to be successful, you will have to prove your version of events is correct and that you suffered the damage you are claiming. While this may seem straightforward because, after all, you’re telling the truth, the insurance company will still want proof. In situations where the other driver is trying to refuse fault or claiming an entirely different version of events, things can easily spiral out of control.
The insurance company will look for ways to discredit your claim and take advantage of innocent mistakes to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. Since most individuals don’t have experience giving statements to insurance companies or filing accident claims, it’s easy to inadvertently say something that hurts your claim or be tricked into admitting blame you don’t hold.
Investigating the Accident
To prevent you from being left holding more fault than is rightfully yours, your lawyer will investigate the accident and collect evidence to support your claim. Evidence such as witness statements, medical records, accident scene photos from traffic cameras, and the accident report, will all be collected by your attorney and used to prove that you are telling the truth about how the accident occurred and the injuries and vehicle damage you received.
This process can be tedious, and most accident victims have enough on their plate without trying to track down evidence. Your lawyer will also know what type of evidence your claim will require and have access to resources like expert witnesses and accident reconstruction professionals.
To Explain Your Settlement Options
Most car accident cases will be addressed outside the courtroom, with the wronged party receiving compensation for their losses called a settlement. The insurance company or at-fault party will try to offer you the lowest amount they think you will accept.
Having a Huntsville, TX, attorney explain the settlement offer to you will help prevent you from accepting an unfair offer. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on whether you should negotiate for a higher settlement offer or take the current one.
Planning For the Future
Once you’ve accepted a settlement, you will lose your ability to seek further compensation for this claim. In situations where the victim has injuries that will be an ongoing issue, it can be challenging to determine if the settlement offer will be enough to cover the cost of future medical care and lost wages and compensate for diminished quality of life.
Your lawyer can help you estimate future care costs and gauge whether an offer is reasonable. Since accepting an unfair settlement offer can significantly impact your financial future, it’s critical to work with a professional to protect yourself.
To Represent You In Court
While most car accident cases are settled outside of court, some aren’t. If you cannot reach an agreement with the other party and your case ends up in a courtroom, you will want a professional there to represent you.
Your car accident lawyer will submit the necessary paperwork, answer questions on your behalf, and use their expertise to present the evidence to support your statements. Being represented by an attorney prevents the other side from having an unfair advantage since the insurance company will have a professional representing them. It also increases your chances of a successful outcome.
Contact a Rockdale, TX, Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve never had to file a car accident claim before, it’s normal to feel uncertain about what steps you need to take. Having an experienced attorney handling your claim will allow you to focus on recovering from the accident instead of dealing with insurance companies.
Trust your car accident claim to an attorney who is dedicated to getting you the compensation you need to get back on your feet. Contact Brian C. Gutierrez, Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, for the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
