What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

Car accidents happen fast. Everything that happens after them goes just as quickly.  It's important to prepare yourself before car accidents occur. That way, you know what to do when they happen. A car accident lawyer runs the show for you so that you can heal and recover. If you already have to deal with physical and emotional damages, you shouldn't have to worry about the logistics, too. Today, we tell you why you need a car crash lawyer, the cost and what a car accident attorney does.

Why Do You Need a Specific Lawyer for a Car Accident?

You might already have a family attorney or someone you go to for legal advice. So why do you need a specific lawyer for car crashes? Other attorneys focus on other areas of law. They have lots of clients and lots of cases they have to deal with for them. Most of those other cases aren't about a vehicle accident in particular. When you hire a car accident lawyer, though, they know the ins and outs of the whole process. They focus on accidents in particular, so they can give their full attention to what you need.

Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

Maybe you had a minor car wreck. It could have just been a rear-end collision. You might think: "Is it really worth it? Won't it be expensive? It wasn't really a big deal." We get into the expenses below. But at the end of the day, it is absolutely worth it to hire a car accident lawyer. There are a lot of things you might not realize about a car accident. That's okay though because that's our job. Did you know that the other people involved in your crash might take you to court? They probably don't want to accept responsibility and pay higher car insurance rates. So they might blame you instead. If you hire an accident attorney, they can help proactively. Car wreck lawyers know what to expect. They use the right resources and do the paperwork so that you get the appropriate compensation.

Is it Expensive to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Do you get nervous when you think about the cost of a car accident lawyer? In reality, you should worry more about what it costs without one. Medical treatment and property damage could be far more expensive in the long run than an auto accident attorney. We actually have some great news for you. Most car crash lawyers only charge a contingency fee. That means that they don't get paid unless you do. If you win the court case and get compensation for your accident, the attorney gets a portion. You don't usually have to pay an hourly fee for your auto accident lawyer. Every law firm is different. But AllLaw.com has some answers. If you win your case, then expect to pay a 25 to 40 percent contingency fee. For example, say your car accident lawyer charges a 30 percent fee. You receive 80 thousand dollars from your settlement. Your attorney gets 24 thousand dollars from that payment. You still have 56 thousand dollars. Some law firms even offer free consultations. You might find more solid answers about prices for your case during a consultation.

How is a Settlement for a Car Accident Paid Out?

A car accident settlement is a complicated process. But if you hire a car accident lawyer, they can deal with the process more quickly and efficiently than if you did it yourself. To get paid out, there are many steps. Here's a rough outline:

• You get in an accident and call your car crash lawyer
• They look into all of the details of the accident
• Your lawyer compiles all necessary information. This includes photos, eyewitness and police reports and the extent of property damage
• The attorney files a claim with the responsible party's insurance company
• They follow up on that claim over and over again and negotiate with the insurance company
• If negotiations fail, they file a lawsuit against the insurance agency
• They prepare you for court
• Finally, your car accident attorney represents you in court
• They employ all of their expertise to get you the most compensation they can

What Car Accident Lawyers Do

We know, that's a lot of information and a lot of tasks. Let's break it down a little bit more. This way, you can understand the depth of what car accident lawyers do.

Assess the Full Extent of Your Damages

After a crash, you worry about the short-term:

• "How much will my car cost to repair?"
• "How long will I be on the phone with the insurance company?"
• "Will I have a car to drive to work?"

This makes it hard to assess the full extent of your damages, like future costs. Your lawyer looks at the small stuff and the big picture. They consider medical treatment, potential disabilities and emotional trauma. Then, they figure out the prices so you don't leave anything out.

Represent You in Court

With a capable car accident lawyer, you probably won't even see the inside of a courtroom. Insurance companies know that accident attorneys mean business. They're more likely to offer a settlement without courtroom drama. But things come up. If your case goes to court, your lawyer prepares you. They also stand up for you in court. They are bold and confident, which gets you the right compensation.

Call on Medical Professionals

The medical and legal worlds are more connected than you might realize. Your accident lawyer fosters professional relationships with medical specialists. Depending on any injuries you have from your vehicle accident, they know who to call and when to call them.

Fully Investigate the Case

Car wreck lawyers know that the devil is in the details. And you now know that they work tirelessly to get those details. Like we said before, they compile all of the evidence that you need for your case. They also have contacts who offer expert opinions. These might include private investigators, retired police officers or other relevant specialists. Good car accident lawyers get creative. They might stage the accident again to see if they missed any of those pesky details.

Offer Legal Advice

The Internet is a great tool, but it often has a lot of conflicting information. Right after an accident, you want answers right then and there. But those answers might confuse you. If you call your mother for advice, she could say something that's still totally different from another source. How do you manage to get accurate answers? One of the first people you call should be your attorney. They went to law school, continue their legal education and have real-world experience. This means they offer you sound legal advice based on what they know.

Explain Damages and Injury Claim Processes

Unless you are an auto accident lawyer yourself, there's no reason you would understand damages and injury claim processes. You might not know your rights or what to do next. Maybe you have a friend who got in an accident in Michigan, but you had a car wreck in Ohio. Laws are different in pretty much every state. Your friend's experience is not the same as yours. Car crash lawyers walk you through the whole process of damages and injury claims. Not only will you have help right now, but you can also remember the processes for future reference if you need to.

Negotiate for a Fair Settlement

You may have heard someone describe insurance agencies as "sharks" at some point. A lot of them have bad reputations because they want to save as much money as possible. If you deal with the aftermath of a wreck by yourself, you don't always know what a fair settlement looks like. Insurance agents talk in one of your ears while the other party in the crash talks in the other. That makes it tough to know what you deserve. But a quality car accident lawyer does. The Sandel Law Firm is a great example of a qualified legal team who works hard to help you. We know what you deserve from the at-fault party's insurance company after a car accident. Call toll-free at (330) 666-2889 or contact us today for a free consultation.