As I recently found out, the process of settling a car wreck can be a lengthy and confusing one, and this is especially true if injuries were sustained and the injured victim would have to do everything himself without the assistance of a car wreck lawyer.
In our state, the insurance does not pay off until all the medical treatment has been taken care of.
In my case, my friend, the person I hit from the rear sustained whiplash and lower back injuries, which necessitated many visits to the chiropractor and physical therapist.
I was following her home during a winter storm when I slid into her right rear end.
After she finally got through with all her medical treatment, my insurance offered her considerably less than what was fair for all she had gone through.
She is not the type to haggle, and I suggested that she have a personal injury lawyer look at the figures.
When she mentioned that she probably needed to get an attorney involved, suddenly, my insurance company was willing to offer her a substantially higher amount.
In her case, all she had to do was suggest that hiring an attorney to represent her would be beneficial for her.
We found out that while a do-it-yourself is settlement possible, it has been shown that settling with the assistance of a car crash lawyer results in higher settlement payouts.
The insurance companies do not want to deal with attorneys for this reason.
It is a known fact that without good legal advice, claimants tend to settle for too low amounts too soon because they are often unaware of what they are entitled to.
This is why it is so important to have the assistance of a good auto accident lawyer in making an accident claim.
A good personal injury lawyer will have the necessary expertise not only in negotiating for a good settlement, but also in assessing the physical, material, financial, emotional and psychological damage caused by the crash.
Different Types of Compensation Claims A competent car wreck attorney should be able to identify the different types of compensation that can be included in the claim.
These will include automobile repair expenses as well as the depreciated value of the vehicle.
If injuries were sustained then the cost of medical care will also be included in the settlement claim.
This will include not only the cost of emergency medical care, but also the cost of medication, followup visits to orthopedists or chiropractors and any ongoing medical care made necessary by the accident.
If the crash resulted in a chronic condition requiring specialized equipment or lifetime medical care, then these too should be factored in the claim to be filed by the car wreck lawyer.
Claiming compensation for loss if income is another significant aspect of a car crash insurance settlement.
This will include not only the income lost due to missed workdays, but also any possible overtime or missed promotions because of the crash.
Any other benefits such as scheduled leave or vacation time missed must also be compensated.
Aside from these, an insurance claim may also include compensation for any emotional anguish, psychological trauma, physical pain and disfigurement caused by the accident.
In case of a death, then a death lawyer would work with surviving family members in figuring everything into the monetary claim.
Supporting Evidence Each of these different aspects will require documentary evidence and possibly even witness and testimony.
This is why medical care must be sought right after the crash even if there are no apparent injuries.
Not doing so will make it difficult for the car wreck lawyer to prove that the injury was clearly the result of the accident.
All medical visits and related expenses must be completely documented to support the compensation claim.
Aside from compiling medical records, the personal injury solicitor will have to speak to all parties involved as well as any witnesses.
Crash photographs and police reports must also be collected and analyzed.
Certification from physicians and employers on lost wages must also accompany the paperwork.
This entire process can be tedious and exhausting, especially for somebody who has just suffered an accident.
A good car wreck lawyer is essential for ensuring a successful claim and ensuring that the process is as efficient and stress-free as possible.