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How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?

When you or your loved one suffers from car accident injuries, you will have many questions about how an attorney can help. There are many reasons to get a lawyer after a car crash. Your car accident attorney will communicate with the insurance company, prove negligence, and maximize your compensation. However, calculating the value of your car accident claim requires experience. Your DC car crash lawyer will help make sure you receive a fair settlement. You should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. While you are not legally required to hire an attorney, it is always in your best interest.

Whether your accident involved a wrongful death, serious injury, or minor injuries, a skilled lawyer from Regan Zambri Long will make sure you receive adequate compensation. Schedule a free consultation by calling 202-960-4596.

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What Will My Car Accident Lawyer Do?

The National Safety Council estimates 44,450 motor vehicle deaths in 2023.  In the aftermath of a car accident, you will have many things to worry about. Medical care and healing from your injuries will be your primary concern. However, the legal process cannot be neglected. When you hire an experienced car accident attorney, you hire someone to look out for your advocate for your and to protect your rights.

A car accident attorney will:

How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?Handle Your Insurance Claim

Insurance claims can be complicated by a state’s laws on negligence and fault. You cannot trust an insurance company to make a fair settlement offer.

States with at-fault insurance laws, including Maryland and Virginia, require the liable party’s insurance company to pay for your injuries and losses. States with no-fault laws, including Washington, DC, require you to seek compensation from your insurance company. Any statements you make to any insurance provider can be used against you. Your attorney will ensure your statements are factual and do not harm your claim.

Negligence also plays a role in your car crash claim. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, follow contributory negligence standards. This harsh standard denies compensation from anyone who contributed to an accident. Some insurance companies may try to claim that you are partially at fault so they do not have to pay you compensation.

Conduct an Investigation

A car accident may seem straightforward, but insurance companies will question everything.

An attorney will investigate the accident scene and gather evidence. They collect medical records to prove your injuries. They will use witness statements, police reports, and video footage to determine liability.

If necessary, they will build a case and argue it in court.

Value Losses and Estimate Future Losses

Calculating your damages after a car accident requires careful consideration. Your lawyer will help you keep track of your economic damages, including medical bills, property damage, and other direct financial losses. Economic damages also account for future losses, including medical expenses and lost wages.

Your attorney will also help you value your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment.

In addition to these damages, some accident cases are awarded punitive damages. This money serves as a punishment to at-fault drivers for negligent behavior. Drunk driving, distracted driving, and other reckless and negligent behaviors can result in punitive damages.

Negotiate with Car Insurance Companies

Settlement negotiations are not simple. Insurance companies often make lowball settlement offers to car crash victims, regardless of insurance coverage. Your personal injury lawyer will ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.

When negotiating a fair settlement, your attorney will explain your options, such as a lump sum payment or periodic payments. How you take your compensation can impact the ultimate amount you receive.

Beyond the settlement, your auto accident attorney will handle the legal process if your claim must be trialed. If a trial is necessary, your lawyer will:

  • Prove the negligence of the at-fault driver
  • Consult with accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
  • Value your physical injuries and property damage
  • Demand maximum compensation

Meet Legal Deadlines and Time Limits

Personal injury cases must be filed within the statute of limitations. You must file your car accident claim for Washington, DC, within three years of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you will not receive any financial compensation.

Accident victims must keep up with medical treatment, as this provides important medical evidence for their claim.

Intervene if Your Claim is Denied

Unfortunately, an insurance adjuster or the liable parties may deny responsibility and your claim. When this happens, your experienced lawyer will take your claim to court.

When a negligent driver’s insurance company refuses to pay adequate compensation, your lawyer may need to play hardball. Beginning a lawsuit does not mean a settlement is off the table. Sometimes, the liable party needs the threat of full legal proceedings to be motivated to negotiate.

When should I hire a car accident attorney?

How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?

The best time to consult with an attorney is immediately after a car accident. A lot of things happen right after an accident, and the facts are not always clear. A lawyer will protect you from undue liability.

The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult your case may be. Your lawyer will need to investigate the accident and collect relevant evidence.

Insurance policies also have timelines that your lawyer will make sure are observed.

As the injured party, you will suffer property damage and need medical treatment. Your lawyer will work with the at-fault parties to ensure justice is served.

When can I handle a car accident claim myself?

It is rarely a good idea to handle a car accident case yourself. You may be able to recover fairly from a minor fender bender or minor car accident. But an experienced car accident lawyer levels the playing field on your behalf.

A personal injury lawyer is invaluable in severe and fatal crashes. Your legal professional will ensure you are taken care of.

How much will a car accident lawyer cost?

Every personal injury law firm decides how to handle legal fees. Some will take flat fees, others charge hourly.

Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis. This allows you to receive the legal help you need without paying upfront. Instead, we collect payment only after we have recovered in your favor.

The ultimate cost of a car accident lawyer will depend on the fee structure. You need to choose a structure that works with your financial situation.

Is it worth hiring a personal injury lawyer?

Hiring an auto accident lawyer is always in your best interest. The fees a lawyer will take don’t compare to the benefits you receive from legal counsel.

Auto accident lawyers often increase the compensation you recover from a personal injury claim. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto claim for property damage was $5,313, while bodily injury was $24,211. However, the value of your claim could be more. An experienced attorney will ensure that your recovery covers all your losses.

How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me

Finding an experienced lawyer takes more than an Internet search. Many law firms boast of being the best, but you must consider carefully before hiring.

You need an attorney who has experience with insurance companies. The first step will be your insurance claim process, and your attorney will handle most of the process.

You will also want to consider the pay structure. A contingency basis is good, but you need to consider the needs of your specific situation.

You should also evaluate a personal injury attorney on:

  • how much experience they have with cases like yours
  • the recoveries they have made for clients
  • communication style and frequency
  • testimonials from real clients

You may need to meet with multiple car accident lawyers before finding someone who fits you. While it can be discouraging, don’t give up. Finding the right legal representation is important. Your lawyer will act on your behalf, so you must be able to trust them completely.

Utilize a lawyer’s free case evaluation to determine if they are the right lawyer for your personal injury lawsuit.

Contact the Automobile Accident Attorneys at Regan Zambri Long

If you or a loved one are injured in an auto accident, you need an experienced attorney. Legal claims are complicated enough without How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?physical injuries on top. A personal injury attorney from Regan Zambri Long will ensure that you recover the financial compensation you deserve.

Our lawyers have a track record of success. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients and can do the same for you. We have over one hundred years of combined experience with legal claims like yours.

After a car accident, you deserve the best legal advice you can get. When you hire Regan Zambri Long, you put your case in the best hands in Washington, DC.

Schedule an initial consultation today by calling 202-960-4596. Our attorneys will provide legal answers tailored to your specific case. When you need a car accident injury lawyer, look no further than Regan Zambri Long.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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