Importance of Car Accident Attorneys When You Have Been in an Accident
Have you been injured in an accident through no fault of yours? Car accident attorneys in Joliet can help you to defend your legal rights and to receive appropriate compensation for the personal, professional, and financial setbacks you may have suffered as a result of the accident.
Here is why it is important to hire a competent car accident attorney when you have been in an accident:
They can deal with the insurance company on your behalf
In the aftermath of the accident, the insurance company will send their insurance adjuster to meet with you to negotiate an insurance settlement. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to delay, minimize, or altogether deny valid claims, and the adjuster might try to get you to say something that they can use against you.
That is why it is best to be careful and have your car accident attorney present at the meeting to look out for your interests. The attorney will undertake the negotiation and handle the claim details for you and will make sure that the insurance company doesn’t get away with using any unfair tactics in your case.
They can investigate the accident and gather relevant evidence
The car accident attorney will investigate the accident on your behalf, reconstruct the accident scene, and gather evidence to prove that you were not at fault. The evidence can include footage from nearby CCTVs, car black boxes, and videos, and photographs from passers-by and witnesses. They will interview witnesses and get their written or videotaped statements. They will also get a mechanic to examine the car that caused the accident and write a report on its condition.
Additionally, they will talk to your doctor and other medical experts and gather your medical reports as well as X-rays and photographs of your injuries. Using all the evidence, they will make sure that the other party cannot shift the blame for the accident on you.
They can determine what will be an appropriate claim for your injuries
The insurance company will try to make you settle for far lower compensation than what you deserve. To challenge that, you need to be able to prove the real value of your claim. The car accident attorney will assess this by considering the extent of your injuries, the pain you have suffered, and whether you have been temporarily or permanently disabled. They will consider your past medical expenses and the medical expenses you are likely to incur in the future.
Additionally, they will consider if you have lost your salary or your job due to the accident-related injuries and are facing difficulties in supporting your family. It is only fair that you receive adequate compensation for all these troubles, and the attorney will make every effort towards that end.
They will negotiate for a fair settlement
Keeping your best interests in mind, the car accident attorney will carry out intense negotiations with the insurance adjuster, the insurance company, and the insurance company’s legal team. They will refuse to accept any settlement that is less than what you deserve and continue pushing for more fair compensation.
They will file a personal injury lawsuit if negotiations fail
If negotiations fail and the insurance company rejects your claim, you will have no other alternative than to take the case to trial. Your car accident attorney will file the personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and make the necessary case preparations. They will inform you if you need to make an appearance in court, and, if you do, they will advise you on what to expect and how you can best present yourself to make a good impression on the judge and the jury.
As you see, hiring car accident attorneys in Joliet will be to your advantage for obtaining both justice and fair compensation. Many attorneys work on a contingency basis. It means they won’t charge you any legal fees unless they win the case for you. However, there may be other expenses, such as filing fees and witness fees, that you will still have to pay. It will be a good idea if you discuss and clarify payment terms in detail at the very start before you hire the attorney.