Having a lawyer on your side following a car accident is always a good idea, even if you don’t believe you are at fault. Your claim can be at risk because insurance companies commonly employ many tactics to deny claims and reduce their payouts.
However, you can protect your interests and ensure that you are treated fairly. A car accident lawyer in Indiana can help ensure that the amount of compensation awarded to you by the insurance company is adequate.
Without professional legal help, it is more likely that victims may accept offers from insurers well below what they might receive if they had legal counsel present throughout the negotiation proceedings regarding their case.
What Can a Car Accident Lawyer do to Help If the Crash Was Not My Fault?
It is a personal injury attorney’s job to ensure that you receive compensation, but in the event of a crash that was clearly somebody else’s fault, how can they help you? What a lawyer does can add value to your claim and help to expedite the process.
Your lawyer can also relieve you of the burdens of filing a successful accident claim while helping you expedite the process. Here are some of the things a lawyer will do for you:
Handling Necessary Paperwork
It is your lawyer’s job to file all the necessary paperwork and claims necessary to get you fair compensation from their insurance company. Filing these forms correctly and in a timely manner can help eliminate delays in the process.
Determining Liability
To prove liability in a personal injury case, you need to be able to provide evidence. Even if the police department has not found any party at fault, an experienced attorney can gather evidence, statements, and more to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible.
Negotiations
We negotiate aggressively with insurers in order to reach an appropriate settlement so that you do not have to take them to court. Settlements are the most common resolution to personal injury cases, but it’s important to have an attorney representing you and working to maximize your compensation – even in a crash that wasn’t your fault.
Legal Advice
Your car accident lawyer can provide valuable advice throughout the entire process and work hard to ensure your best interests are met. In certain circumstances, legal loopholes or statutes may impact your claim, and it is your lawyer’s job to know about them to protect you. The insurance adjuster will look for ways to minimize their liability, especially if the accident was someone else’s fault.
Protection
A lawyer can help protect your rights and work to ensure that you are fairly compensated for any medical bills or other damages resulting from the incident. It’s common for insurance companies to identify ways to put some of the blame on you or deny the severity of your injuries and losses.
This can have a negative impact on the financial compensation you recover. A lawyer can defend you against these allegations and protect your claim’s value.
They Have Already Made Me a Settlement Offer, and It Seems Fair. What Should I Do?
Even if the offer appears fair, seeking legal counsel is in your best interest. Doing so will help you see the situation from a different angle, giving you greater leverage in negotiations. A professional lawyer may also help make sure all agreements are carried out, and all paperwork is signed properly.
Furthermore, when you accept a settlement offer after a car accident, the agreement will typically include language releasing the insurer and the insured from any further responsibility. For this reason, you should carefully evaluate before making a final decision.
If you’ve incurred substantial medical expenses or have been affected by your injuries in the long term, an attorney can analyze the records related to your claim and assist you in negotiating for increased compensation if the initial offer of compensation is inadequate.
WhatIf the Insurance Company Isn’t Playing Fair?
Dealing with a car insurance company can be one of the most frustrating experiences a person can have. In these situations, the insurance company may not act in good faith or in your best interest and instead try to take advantage of you.
In fact, it is important to understand that when dealing with an insurer – especially when making a third-party claim against another driver’s policy – they have little incentive to pay what they owe and are often motivated to pay out as little as possible.
Getting the runaround from an insurance company is a telltale sign that you need a lawyer. The insurance company may be hassling you if they are:
- Asking you to jump through hoops by filling out mountains of forms
- Refusing to settle an accident claim for a reasonable amount
- Refusing requests for evidence that proves you were not at fault in order to reduce the amount of money they owe you
- Ignoring phone calls or emails from you
- Denying your claim outright
- Spamming you with repeated calls and emails
- Denying that your injuries are as severe as you say they are
- Blaming you for causing the accident or your own injuries
Furthermore, if you ask them to cover damages caused by another driver, they may offer an absurdly low figure that won’t cover all of your costs.
Working with a car accident lawyer can help make sure that the claims process goes smoothly and efficiently without sacrificing full compensation for your losses.
When it comes to car accidents, you could be eligible to receive compensatory damages for a variety of losses. Economic losses are associated with financial burdens such as:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Non-economic losses involve:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact a Lawyer to Learn More About Pursuing a Claim in a Crash that Was Not Your Fault
It costs you nothing to learn more about your legal options after a car crash. If you have been offered a settlement or don’t know what steps to take next, a personal injury lawyer with Vaughan and Vaughan may be able to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
