When you have been hurt or had your property damaged in a car accident, time is of the essence. It’s important to get in touch with a car accident lawyer in College Station as soon as you can to ensure you get maximum financial compensation. So, how do you find the best legal representation? Whether you are looking in Buffalo, TX, Cameron, TX, or Huntsville, TX, these tips will help you locate an experienced car accident attorney who can hold the liable party responsible.
How Can I Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer?
Not all attorneys are qualified for every situation. Car accidents often involve many subjective points that need to be argued with knowledge and skill. Here is how you should go about identifying a car accident lawyer in College Station with the experience and expertise you need:
Keep the Search State-Specific
Car accident lawyers can only operate within the state for which they are licensed. Part of their job is to keep up with the law as it changes year to year within your state so that you are not responsible for all that complexity.
Look for a Personal Injury Attorney
When car accidents cause bodily harm, they fall under the area of law known as personal injury. This type of law can also cover slip and fall accidents, work-related injuries, and other situations in which a person gets hurt, physically.
While some lawyers claim to be jack-of-all-trade attorneys, they are not necessarily the people who you want to work with. The law is complicated, and it is virtually impossible to maintain expertise in all areas. Usually, it is better to go with a car accident lawyer in College Station who specializes in the type of law that pertains to your claim.
Check That the Attorney Has Experience With Similar Situations
Even within personal injury law, there is a lot of variety when it comes to cases. When you identify an attorney who you want to work with, you should check that he or she has ample experience dealing with car accidents. You can ask about previous claims they have worked on. You can even inquire about their track record for securing high payouts.
Make Sure They Work for a Reputable Firm
Building a practice that has respect within a community takes time. Working with a car accident attorney from a reputable firm means that he or she is more likely to have valuable connections within related professions. For example, if you need to bring in an accountant to verify lost wages, a well-established car accident lawyer in College Station is likely to know a good one. Additionally, your chances of maximizing your payout are higher when your lawyer has a reputation to uphold.
Check Reviews
One way to get a good sense of the firm is to check its reviews. This is easy to do by going to their Facebook page and other social media sites. If you were referred to a specific car accident lawyer by someone you know, you can ask that person about their experience.
Use the Local State Bar Association
By looking up a lawyer on his or her local state bar associations you can do your own background check and see the individual’s qualifications. If a lawyer does not appear in your search, it means that person does not have the credentials that are legally required to represent you.
Choose Someone You Like
Once you have identified a car accident lawyer in College Station and verified his or her credentials, it is important to make sure you feel a positive connection. Auto accident claims can take time to work through, depending on the factors involved with the accident. They can also involve many details that need to be sorted out. It’s important to choose a car accident attorney with whom you can communicate well.
Why Is It Important to Work With a Car Accident Lawyer in College Station
Legally, you can negotiate with the insurance companies on your own, and even represent yourself if you go to trial. For minor accidents involving damage to the vehicle only, that can sometimes work out. However, for significant property damage and any physical injury, working with a car accident lawyer in College Station will go a long way toward maximizing your payout. Here’s why:
Insurance Companies Push Back
Insurance companies seek to maximize their profits by minimizing their payouts. That means lowballing their own policies and looking for legal loopholes that will allow them to pay less than what you deserve. An experienced car accident attorney who has practice going up against the big insurance companies is your greatest asset for getting a just settlement.
Most auto accident claims are settled outside of court. You might receive a settlement offer from the liable party’s insurance company offering you a specified amount. However, you are not legally obligated to accept that offer. A good car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to increase it.
A Car Accident Attorney Will Identify All Your Damages
Unfortunately, a car accident can have far-reaching effects on your life. You have the legal right to be compensated for all your damages, however, you need to know what to ask for. Your claim can include:
- Damage to your car and other property
- Medical bills
- The cost of future doctor’s appointments and ongoing treatments
- Lost wages
- Loss of the ability to return to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damages
- Serious injury and death of a loved one
While some of these damages might be obvious, like medical bills, others are not. For example, did you know that you can be compensated for vacation days you did not accrue and promotions you may have missed out on? A skilled car accident attorney will look at all the details surrounding your claim and help you understand the true cost of the accident.
He or She Will Help You Build Evidence of the Crash
Car crashes happen in a split second, making it difficult to recall what actually occurred. Reconstructing the details of the crash in its aftermath is important for showing that you were not at fault. A skilled car accident lawyer in College Station will be able to help you collect ample evidence including:
- Surveillance videos that show the crash happening
- Witness reports
- Photos of the aftermath
- Physical objects showing signs of damage
He or She Will Demonstrate the Cost of the Crash
The next step is to show that the crash had a costly impact on your life. The insurance company might argue that your injuries did not require expensive treatments. Similarly, it might claim that you did not need to take time off work. An attorney can help you compile evidence of your expenses including:
- Medical bills
- Doctor’s notes
- Tax returns showing past income
- Correspondence between yourself and clients
- Notes from your employer
Get Justice in Buffalo, TX, Cameron, TX, Huntsville, TX and Beyond
When you have had a car accident, receiving a settlement offer from an insurance company isn’t enough. Getting adequate compensation is an important part of the recovery process emotionally and financially. You need an attorney who can maximize your payout even when the insurance company is trying to push back. Contact Brian C. Gutierrez in Bryan, TX for representation you can count on in Buffalo, TX, Cameron, TX, Huntsville, TX and all over the lone star state.
