Why You Should Hire an Accident Attorney A seasoned accident lawyer can handle all legal aspects of your claim and will take on the work you are unable do yourself. This includes gathering evidence, completing the proper paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies. Top car accident lawyers have years of experience in preparing for trial and litigating multi-million-dollar cases. This makes them less likely to settle an injury case without adequate compensation for your injuries and losses. Legal Advice Car accidents can be extremely stressful and can disrupt your life. You could suffer injuries or property damage, and even lose money. Helping someone navigate the legal process can provide you with peace of mind and let you concentrate on healing. A NYC car accident lawyer is not required, but hiring one can make the difference in ensuring that you receive compensation for your losses. When you first talk to an attorney they will offer advice on whether it's in your best interests to submit a claim to the at-fault driver's insurance company or your own through your personal injury protection, also known as PIP which is a legal provision. https://vimeo.com/709651492 of Anidjar & Levine will also guide you through the insurance claim process and warn you about common pitfalls. An experienced lawyer will go over your evidence and estimate the worth of your case in terms of damages. This is based upon the circumstances of the accident, including the person who was at fault the extent of your injuries and how long they will last, the property damage as well as lost wages and other elements. They will also determine if you're qualified for punitive damage awards which are designed to punish defendants who engaged in a particular type of problematic or shady behavior. Your attorney will then collect evidence to support your claim. This could include witnesses' contact information, photographs from the scene of the incident, photographs of your injuries, and anything else they need. They will also know which experts to employ as well as what documents you should ask from the party at fault and how to work with the insurers to maximize your compensation. Your lawyer is your advocate and will fight for you at every stage of the process. They will defend your legal rights, deal directly with insurance companies, and present your case to the judge or jury. They have the knowledge and experience to secure more than you get if you were to handle the claims process on your own. Ultimately, your decision to work with an attorney will be based on your level of comfort managing the legal process on your own. Gathering Evidence In any legal dispute, evidence is critical to uncovering the facts of an incident and proving the liability for your loss. Car accident cases are no exception. Evidence may include witness testimony as well as physical items, documents and more. In general anything that will make your argument more likely to be believed is considered evidence. Weather, or other circumstances can cause evidence to be destroyed or altered if the evidence is not preserved right away after an accident. It is crucial to go back to the site of the accident and take photos, if it is possible. Photographs can provide a broad variety of details, including damage to vehicles and other objects, the place of stop signs and traffic signals, weather and road conditions, skid marks and much more. You should also record everything you can remember about the incident, including details of how it occurred and who was accountable. The written account is essential if you have trouble recalling details later on, and will assist your lawyer to understand the entire context of the accident. Ask if they were witnesses to the crash and if they'd be willing to testify in court. Ask them if they saw the accident and if any would be willing to testify in court. Also, if you own an iPhone it is recommended to record any video footage of the crash or its aftermath that you can find. Depending on the severity of your injuries, it is recommended to capture detailed photographs of any visible bruising or other signs of pain. This is particularly important if your suffered serious injuries. It can help to prove the impact of the accident and the degree and extent of your losses. As soon as you can you should request your medical records from the hospital or doctor who treated you. These are documents that reveal the severity of your physical and mental suffering as well as your medical costs. These records will be needed in any future claims you make regarding your medical expenses, lost wages, or vehicle repairs. Your insurance company will also use them to calculate amount of compensation you'll receive. Negotiating with Insurance Companies Insurance companies have their own interests in mind and will do whatever it takes to cut down on the amount they pay to an accident victim. This is the reason that hiring a personal injuries attorney is so crucial. Your lawyer represents you and must be in your best interests throughout the legal process. They will collect evidence, such as photos and police reports, and witness statements. They will also collaborate with experts, including accident recreation experts and forensic specialists to determine the root of the problem. They will also look into all parties that may be responsible for the crash, including the car manufacturer, the city that is responsible road maintenance or even the bar where the drunk driver was served. After your lawyer has completed the investigation and gathered all the evidence, he will create an order form and submit it to the insurer. The demand package will include all medical documents along with bills, property damage costs, lost wages, future earnings and any other expenses you've suffered as a consequence of the accident. The insurance company will analyze the evidence and calculate your losses. They will then present you with an offer of settlement, and you decide if to accept it or try to negotiate further. If you're not satisfied with the initial settlement offer, you may ask your lawyer to help determine what to do next. They will look over your claims, examine the evidence and your injuries to determine if they are entitled to more compensation. They will then negotiate with the insurance company for a fair and equitable settlement. It is vital to remember that your attorney will never give you less than what you deserve. Your attorney will let the insurance company know that they are working for you and will do all they can to stop paying more than what you deserve. A common tactic employed by insurance companies is to make you feel pressured to accept the lowest price. The reason they do this is due to the fact that they know that if you choose to hire an attorney they are likely to have to charge more in the end, and they'd rather avoid this at all costs. Filing a Lawsuit Car accident lawyers are adept at gathering and organize evidence in support of your claim. They also have years in their hands negotiating with insurance adjusters and are not unwilling to challenge them in court if required. They will ensure that you receive enough money from the insurance company to cover medical expenses for ongoing treatment and lost wages. A lawyer with experience can help you determine the amount of compensation you're entitled in light of your injuries and their impact on your life. This includes calculating your future expected medical expenses as well as your future and past loss of earnings, and the physical and emotional trauma you've endured, as well in any permanent impairments that you've suffered. The law says that you have the right to seek the costs of these losses from the party at fault. If you try to fight an insurance company by yourself you're likely to get considerably less than what you need. Employing an attorney to deal with the insurance provider on your behalf is the most effective way to avoid this situation. If you've been injured in a car accident it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as you can. Even the injuries you sustained aren't evident, a visit to a doctor will establish the causal link between the incident and your injury. This is essential to establish the basis of your claim, and may also uncover other damages you could be eligible to receive. In many instances, car accidents are caused by negligence of another driver. In these situations you might be eligible to file an injury claim against the driver at fault's insurance company or the insurer of your vehicle. A lawyer is well-versed in these claims as well as the statutes of limitation (time limitations for filing lawsuits) that could block your claim if you do not file your claim within the timeframe. A seasoned New York car accident attorney can give you the information you need to make an informed decision about the next steps. Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon to request a no-obligation, free review of your case. We can also assist you get the compensation you need to recover.