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Attorneys Answer: When Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Attorneys Answer: When Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. Settlement awards in a car accident claim can address medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other costs an accident victim must deal with. Experienced car accident lawyers can help you or a loved one obtain the compensation you deserve during recovery from a serious accident.

One of the most important things you can do after a car accident in Augusta, GA, is to find skilled legal representation to advance your claim. While there is no requirement to hire a personal injury lawyer when filing a car accident claim, doing so can help you in many ways.

Don’t Fight a Car Accident Claim Alone

Don’t Fight a Car Accident Claim Alone 

Financial recovery after a car accident usually starts through a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies will almost always offer as little as possible to self-represented claimants after a car accident. Even if you think you have a straightforward insurance claim, insurers use their adjusters and attorneys to minimize payouts or even deny claims entirely.

Insurance companies stay profitable by keeping costs down while holding onto profits. This means offering as little as they can in a car accident settlement negotiation. Nothing makes the insurance company happier than dealing with an inexperienced claimant or an attorney who is not willing to fight hard for their client. To get the most out of an insurance claim, you need an experienced Georgia car accident attorney who knows how to fight an insurance company’s tactics.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

After a car accident, it is best to meet with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. To recover damages, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. A car accident lawyer will know how to present the facts in your favor and make a strong case with the insurance company as quickly as possible.

It is also essential to hire a lawyer to collect evidence, identify witnesses, and start building a potential legal case that can go to trial. If you wait too long, crucial evidence can be lost and key witnesses can become hard to find. Even if you believe the accident was minor and your injuries aren’t significant at first, legal help can be vital. In many cases, certain injuries and health issues can appear weeks after a crash happens.

What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do For Me?

Manage your workload

Pursuing a car accident claim involves a lot of work. Dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system can be overwhelming for anyone. If you are recovering from injuries, you’ll go through even more stress when handling these tasks on your own. The work involved can include gathering evidence, building a case strategy, negotiating with insurers, and taking a case to court.

Build Your Case

To be compensated for your injuries, you need to identify who is at fault for the accident. A car accident lawyer will do this by collecting evidence, reviewing police reports, and evaluating witness statements. The lawyer will also track down photographs and surveillance footage whenever it might be available.

Prove Damages

To win in a car accident claim, you will need to prove not only that someone else was at fault but that their actions led you to experience damages. An accurate damage estimate is key to obtaining compensation that fairly covers your full range of damages. These can include economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. They can also include “non-economic” damages, such as pain and suffering.

An experienced lawyer can also identify damages you might not have thought about, such as lost future earning capacity, or rehab you will need in the years to come.

Follow Deadlines

Even a strong car accident claim can fall short if the claimant fails to meet important deadlines. These can include deadlines to respond to an insurance company or deadlines set by the legal system. The statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in Georgia is two years from the date of the accident. An attorney will make sure you meet this deadline and have your lawsuit ready to file before Georgia’s statute of limitations runs out.

Take Your Case to Trial

Many car accident claims are settled through the insurance process – especially if the claimant has an attorney to help them. However, insurance companies can also minimize a claim, deny coverage, or find some other way to avoid a fair settlement payment to the injured victim.

A car accident lawyer will prepare your claim for a potential lawsuit and trial from the day they take your case. While most personal injury lawsuits settle before their trial date, a skilled personal injury lawyer will not be afraid to take your case to a jury if a fair settlement is not offered before then.

Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?

Yes. Regardless of the injuries you suffered in the accident, you could be entitled to compensation during your recovery. The amount of compensation depends on whether you can show fault by the other driver and prove your damages to an insurer or court. An experienced lawyer will know what to do in these situations while also easing your recovery during a difficult and stressful time.

A car accident lawyer acts as their client’s representative from the day they are hired and will work hard to fight for a fair outcome. Also, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay upfront, and the attorney does not collect unless you do. The sooner you get help from a car accident lawyer, the sooner you can fight for your rights and pursue the financial recovery you deserve.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer Today

The Augusta car accident lawyers at the Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys have fought for countless others just like you and will fight for you to get what you deserve. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is hard. Make your recovery easier by hiring an experienced car accident attorney. Contact our office at (706) 722-8784 and we will be happy to discuss your options and schedule a free consultation today.

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