Why You Should Hire an Accident Attorney An experienced accident lawyer will take care of all legal aspects and tasks you're not capable of handling. This includes gathering evidence in the first place, preparing the paperwork and negotiating insurance providers. Top car accident lawyers have years of experience in preparing for trials and in attempting to resolve cases worth millions of dollars. This makes them less likely settle a case with a lower amount than you should. Legal Advice Car accidents can be traumatic that cause disruption to your life and can put you at the risk of suffering injuries along with property damage and loss of income. The assistance of a professional during the legal process can provide you with peace of mind and let you concentrate on healing. It's not necessary to engage a NYC car accident attorney however it can make a huge difference in getting you compensated for your losses. When you first meet with an attorney, you will be advised on whether or not it is in your best interest to file a claim with the insurance company of the driver at the fault or through your own personal injury protection (PIP) provision. The law firm of Anidjar & Levine will also guide you through the process of claiming insurance and advise you on the most common mistakes. An experienced lawyer will look over the evidence that supports your claim, and estimate how much your case is worth in terms of damages, or compensation. This is based upon the circumstances of the accident including who was at-fault your injuries, how long they are expected to last, property damage or lost wages among other factors. They will also determine if your qualified for punitive damage awards which are designed to penalize defendants who have committed a particularly threatening or devious behaviour. Your lawyer will then gather evidence to prove your claim, including the contact information of witnesses, photos of the scene, pictures of your injuries, and everything else they may require. They will also know the experts to engage, which documents to request from the party responsible and how to communicate directly with insurance companies to maximize your compensation. Your attorney will be your advocate at every stage and will fight for you. They will defend your legal rights, negotiate directly with insurance companies and argue your case in front of the judge or jury. They have the experience and know-how to earn you more cash than if you dealt with your claim process alone. Ultimately, your decision to work with an attorney will be based on your comfort level with handling the legal process on your own. Gathering Evidence In any legal matter it is essential to have evidence establishing the facts of an incident and showing that you are responsible for your losses. Car accident cases are no exception. Evidence can include witness testimonies and physical evidence, documents and much more. In general, anything that can make your argument more likely to be believed is considered evidence. The weather or other elements can cause evidence to be destroyed or altered if the evidence is not preserved as soon as an accident occurs. For this reason, it is crucial to return to the site of the accident and snap photos if you are able. Photographs can capture many details, such as damage to vehicles and objects such as stop signs' locations and traffic signals, road conditions and weather conditions, as well as skid marks. You should also record everything you can remember about the incident, including how it happened and who was the person responsible. This narrative can be helpful if forget details later and help your lawyer understand the entire context of the accident. Ask if they were witnesses to the crash and if they would be willing to testify in court. Ask them if they witnessed the crash and if they'd be willing to testify during trial. If you own a mobile phone, you could record any video footage of the incident or its aftermath. Take photos of any visible bruises or physical signs that indicate you are suffering from pain, based on the severity and nature of your injuries. This is especially important if you've sustained serious injuries. It will help demonstrate the impact of the accident and the degree and extent of your loss. It is also recommended that you seek medical records from your doctor or hospital as soon as you can following the accident. These documents will document your emotional and physical suffering as well as your medical expenses. These records are required in the event of any future claims you might have to make regarding medical expenses, lost wages, or repairs to your vehicle. Your insurance company may also use them to calculate compensation you should receive. Negotiating with Insurance Companies An insurance company has its own interests in mind, and will do whatever it takes to cut back on the amount they pay an accident victim. It is for this reason that hiring a personal injury attorney is essential. Your lawyer will serve as your advocate, and they are ethically obliged to keep your best interests in mind throughout the legal process. They will look into the details of your case, including gathering evidence like police reports, photographs witness testimony, police reports, and more. Additionally, they'll collaborate with experts, such as accident recreation teams and forensic specialists to determine the cause of your accident. They will also look into all people who may be accountable for the accident, such as the vehicle manufacturer, the city responsible for road maintenance or even the bar where the drunk driver was seated. After your lawyer has collected all the evidence after which he'll prepare an order form and send it to the insurance company. The package will contain all of your medical documents and bills, property damage costs and lost wages, as well as future earnings and any other costs you have incurred as a result of the accident. The insurance company will then analyze the evidence and calculate your losses. They will then provide you with a settlement, and you decide if to accept it or negotiate further. If you are not satisfied with the initial settlement offer, your attorney will assist you in deciding what you should do next. They will review your claims review your injuries, and analyze the evidence in order to determine whether you are entitled to more compensation. They will then negotiate with the insurance company to negotiate a fair and fair settlement. It is vital to remember that your attorney will never take less than you are entitled to. Your attorney will inform the insurance company that they are working for you and will do all they can to stop paying more than what you deserve. Insurance companies typically employ this method to make you feel pressured to sign a bargain. The reason they do this is because they are aware that if you choose to hire a lawyer you will probably have to charge more in the end, and they'd prefer to avoid this at all cost. Filing a Lawsuit Car accident attorneys know how to gather and organize evidence to back your claim. They've also worked with insurance adjusters for a long time and are not scared to bring them to court if necessary. They will ensure that the insurance company gives you enough funds to cover your medical bills and ongoing treatment costs loss of wages, and other financial losses. An experienced attorney can assist you in determining how much compensation you're entitled to, depending on the severity of your injuries and how they affected your life. This includes calculating your anticipated medical expenses in addition to your past and future loss of earnings, and the physical pain and emotional trauma you have endured, as well any permanent impairments you've sustained. The law provides that you have the right to recover compensation for these losses from the at-fault party. However, if you decide to challenge an insurance company alone you'll likely receive much less than you need. The best way to avoid this is hiring an attorney to handle the insurance company on your behalf. If you've been injured in a car accident it is important to seek medical attention as promptly as you are able. Even if it is not the case that you have obvious serious injuries an appointment with a doctor will establish a link between the crash and your injuries. This is essential for establishing your claim. It could also provide additional damages that you are entitled to. Many accidents involving cars are the result of another driver's negligence. In such cases you could be capable of filing an injury claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company or the insurance company of your vehicle. A lawyer is well-versed in these claims and the statutes of limitations (time limitations for filing lawsuits) that could block your claim if it is not file in a timely fashion. A seasoned New York car accident attorney will provide you with the facts you need to make an informed decision on the next step. Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon today to schedule a free case review, without obligation and to find out more about how we can assist you to get the compensation you need to recover.