Life has its fair share of surprises, some of which aren’t so nice, such as car accidents. They can sometimes happen no matter how hard we try to avoid them. If a car accident is severe enough to cause injury or even death, it raises an important question: when do you need an accident attorney, how can they help you, and what’s the best way to find one?
Every incident has unique circumstances, of course, so there is no single answer to this question. Even in the case of mild injuries, it’s wise to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
The law covering personal injuries is complicated and requires knowledge and understanding of multiple statutes and the ability to keep on track with deadlines, which is what the attorneys at Alvarez Law do daily for clients. The sooner you can call us in to stand by your side, the better position you’ll be in to pursue compensation for your losses.
Here are some additional reasons why you might benefit from calling on the help of a personal injury attorney to handle your case. Learn more about personal injury law and give us a call at (219) 300-5204 today!
Attorneys Are Experienced Negotiators
Image by Gabriel Saldana is licensed with CC BY 2.0
You have insurance to protect you against catastrophe in the event of a significant accident. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that getting the amount of compensation you believe you’re owed will be easy. Insurance companies seek profit, want to limit their risk, and pay out as little money as possible.
One common tactic insurance companies use is to press you to agree to a specific dollar figure claim early on in the case before you have retained an attorney. They will often contact you in the days following an accident with an offer that may reflect something much less than what you are truly owed.
Having an attorney on your side can help take that pressure off as you recover. Attorneys can handle discussions with insurance companies, including negotiating toward a settlement that may keep a case from having to be litigated before a judge.
It’s also essential to have an attorney to negotiate with insurance companies because, sometimes, insurance companies will apportion fault between the two parties. An attorney can present an argument on your behalf for why you should not receive any portion of the blame.
The attorneys at Alvarez Law are experienced negotiators regarding insurance companies. Put us on your team as soon as possible, and we’ll work hard to get you a fair amount.
Securing Fair Compensation For Your Injuries
After an accident, your adrenaline is flowing as your body puts up defenses against injury. You may feel OK in the immediate aftermath, but sometimes, the worst parts of an accident don’t appear for several days or even weeks.
Trying to seek compensation until you understand the full extent of your injuries just doesn’t make sense. You need the advice of experienced legal counsel who understands the types of injuries that can occur and how to translate them into requests for compensation. Whether you’re dealing with an insurance company or going to court, this is true.
A critical step is to make sure you document your losses. For instance, personal injury cases can include requests for lost wages for time missed from work as you recover or continuing care. You have to be able to prove those losses with documentation; without such evidence, you may not be able to recover fair compensation.
Another area that requires careful documentation based on experience with the system is compensation for pain and suffering. Since there are some subjective elements involved, a personal injury attorney can help you understand how courts evaluate claims for pain and suffering and establish a realistic claim. Asking for outlandish amounts will result in setbacks in the court system that you can’t afford. Let a personal injury attorney help provide the guidance you need on damages.
What To Do After An Accident
Retaining a lawyer in the aftermath of a car accident is likely the furthest thing from your mind. But there are common sense steps you can take to protect your rights.
First and foremost, check on yourself. If you have pain or other signs of injury, try to ensure that help is on the way, either by dialing first responders or asking someone else to help. If you can, check on anyone else involved in the accident to see whether they are injured and in need of assistance.
If your condition permits it, you should begin collecting information. Make a diagram of the accident, including cross-streets and landmarks that may have played a role. Identify where your car was compared with the other vehicles involved and how the accident occurred. If there are witnesses, try to write down their contact information so they can help validate your account.
If the situation allows, gather information from the other driver or drivers involved. Before you leave the accident site, you’ll want to have the other drivers’ names, contact information, and auto insurance information.
Police arriving on the scene will conduct their own investigation and collect some of the same information. They will record drivers’ and passengers’ names and contact information, and details of any vehicles involved. They’ll also ask questions about how the crash occurred. The police may ticket anyone found to be violating a traffic law and will arrest anyone driving under the influence.
Car Accident Attorneys at Alvarez Law
By keeping calm and understanding what’s happening around you, you’ll help gather the information you need so an attorney can help represent your interests. The Alvarez Law team, offering more than 200 years of combined experience, is ready to stand by you.
Contact our personal injury attorneys if you have sustained an injury due to another person’s reckless, careless, or negligent act. We provide aggressive representation in car accidents and other personal injury cases in Illinois and Indiana, with offices from Chicago to Indianapolis. Our team is committed to securing you the maximum compensation for injuries. Don’t settle for anything less. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about the Alvarez Difference.
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