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Getting into a car accident can have a huge impact on the victim’s life. At the very least, it is a huge inconvenience. In the worst cases, it can change someone’s life forever. Car accidents cause pain, fear, trauma, and massive expenses. No one can predict when they will be involved in a car accident, so there is no way to prepare. In just a moment, your physical abilities may change, your mental and emotional health may suffer, and your financial stability can disappear.
After getting into an auto accident in the Washington, DC Metro area, you may be wondering whether you’re going to need to contact a car accident lawyer. Car accident claims can be tricky, especially if you suffered severe injuries or the insurance company is not helping you with your claim.
After any type of car accident, your first step should be to contact a Washington, DC car accident lawyer. Even if you don’t think there’s much to your claim, speaking with someone who has experience dealing with the insurance company will give you the guidance and peace of mind you need following a car accident.
You got into a car accident. You are now dealing with medical expenses and repair costs. The insurance company is not answering your calls and you feel like at your wit’s end. What can you do next?
Unfortunately, this scenario is something that many car accident victims face after a car accident. That’s why hiring a car accident lawyer is in your best interests. Not only does a car accident attorney understand the claims process, but they will know the latest local and state laws that deal with car accident litigation.
An auto accident lawyer can help you in the following ways:
Sometimes it can be difficult to get evidence for a car accident claim. If you were transported to the hospital from the accident scene, you may not have time to take photos or gather contact information from witnesses and the other driver. You may not have even spoken to the police until after the fact. Without evidence, it will be hard to prove who is responsible for the auto accident.
But when you hire a car accident lawyer, they will make sure you will get the evidence needed to prove who is at fault. Your auto accident attorney will
Car accidents can be extremely expensive. Not only are you facing current financial expenses such as medical expenses and repair bills, but there are future expenses that you will need to consider when filling out your claim. For example, if you suffered a brain injury in a car crash, you could be facing extensive medical treatment for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, you may not know how much your car accident case is worth when the insurance company tries to settle your claim. Many times, these future costs are not considered in the settlement. That’s why you need to speak with a car accident attorney about your claim.
Our car crash attorney will sit down with you and go over all your expenses. Using that information and learning about what future costs you may be facing, they will be able to give you an estimation of how much your car accident could be worth. This will help you make the decision of whether the settlement offer will meet your needs or if you will need a greater amount.
Soon after your car accident, you may receive a phone call from the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster will be asking you questions about the accident and will try to get a recorded statement from you. They will want to know if you plan to hire a lawyer for the car accident and may try to bully you into taking a lowball settlement.
Keep in mind that you do not have to speak with the other driver’s insurance company, especially if you haven’t had a chance to speak with a car accident lawyer. When you do hire a lawyer for your car accident, the attorney will make it clear to the insurance company that all communication should go through them. They will begin to negotiate with the insurance company to get you a settlement offer that will cover all your current and future expenses.
Car accident claims are usually settled outside of the courtroom. According to a reader survey by Martindale-Nolo, approximately 98 percent of those who took the survey received compensation for their car accident claim through a settlement rather than going to trial. But if there is a chance that your case is going to trial, you’re going to need an experienced car accident lawyer by your side to represent you.
You may not be too sure if your car accident needs the help of an attorney. For example, you may have only received minor injuries and there wasn’t that much damage done to your vehicle. Your bills have already been taken care of by your insurance company. So do you really need a car crash attorney?
It’s always a smart idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer whenever you get into an accident because of someone else’s negligence. The claims process can be confusing so getting advice from an experienced car accident attorney can only help you.
But if you’re still not sure, here are a few situations when it’s best to speak with a car accident lawyer:
The majority of personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to accident victims to learn more about the case. This is an excellent time to schedule an appointment and get legal advice on your car accident case. Since it costs nothing to speak with an injury lawyer, you can get a better understanding of what an attorney can do for you, if the insurance company offered a reasonable settlement, and what your next steps should be.
It’s also important to note that most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. What this means is that the injury victim does not pay a fee while the lawyer is working on their case. Once the case is settled, the car accident lawyer will then take a percentage of the settlement claim. If the accident attorney does not successfully get you the compensation you deserve, then you do not have to pay for their services.
The Insurance Research Council conducted a study that compared auto accident settlements between injury victims who hired a lawyer and those who did not. It found that, on average, car accident injury victims who hired a personal injury attorney received 3.5 times more compensation than those who did not hire a lawyer.
By hiring an experienced attorney for your car crash claim, you may receive the following compensation:
If your injuries are severe, your medical bills will not stop after the initial hospital stay and treatment. Car accident victims may sustain traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, organ damage, soft tissue damage, burns, and other bodily trauma.
If your injuries were extensive, there is a high chance you had to miss several days of work following the car accident. If your injuries are permanent, you may never be able to return to the same job again. If this is the case, loss of earning capacity will pay the difference between what you would have made if you were still healthy and what you are current salary is.
An insurance adjuster will most certainly not take your mental health or chronic pain into account when they offer you a settlement. These types of losses are considered non-economic damages, which means they are more difficult to calculate. Your accident lawyer will take into account any emotional distress your car accident caused. They will also work to secure damages for post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
The cost of a funeral has increased over the years, averaging well over $7,000. If your loved one lost their life, an injury lawyer will help you recover enough compensation to offset the costs of the funeral and burial.
The Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyers have been in business for over three decades, securing millions of dollars for our clients along the way. Patrick Regan, one of our founding partners, recently won a $10.6 million settlement for a client who sustained traumatic spinal cord injuries in a car accident. Our attorneys are routinely named as the top lawyers by the National Law Journal, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.
We strongly believe there is no reason for you to foot the bill for someone else’s negligence. Call today for a free consultation with a seasoned car accident lawyer. If you are still wondering if you should hire a lawyer for a car accident, keep in mind that we will take care of the paperwork, handle the insurance companies, and take the weight of the claims process off your shoulders. We want you to focus on getting better and getting your life back on track.
