A knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer can help you in several ways after you are involved in a collision. If another driver causes your accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your damages and injuries. The compensation provided after a car accident varies based on the situation and severity of the accident.
Unfortunately, without the help of an accident attorney, you may accept a settlement that is less than the true value of your claim. This is usually because you don’t realize that you can recover more and get the full value of your accident and situation.
In most cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will not provide you with a settlement offer that represents the full value of your injuries. With the help of an auto accident attorney, you have someone who is protecting your rights and working to ensure you are fully compensated. Some of the services offered by our car accident attorneys at Zimmet & Zimmet include:
Understand Your Legal Rights
Unless you work in the legal industry, you are probably not well-versed in personal injury laws related to car accidents. Because of this, if you are involved in an accident, you may not fully understand what rights you have.
If you were not at fault for the accident you were involved in, you should not have to cover the costs related to it. The laws related to car accidents in Florida require you to file a claim with your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage first, which is mandatory in Florida. However, if that doesn’t cover all your costs, you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Investigate and Determine the Cause of the Car Accident
An experienced car wreck injury attorney will take the time to investigate all contributing factors to your accident. It may seem like the cause of the accident is clear; however, there could be several contributing factors, including poor road conditions, vehicle malfunction, improper signage, and driver distraction (to name a few). Your attorney will work with accident reconstruction experts to learn what contributed to the accident, which can also help them determine the liable parties.
Determine All Liable Parties in Your Accident
The accident injury lawyer you hire will use the information from their investigation to determine who was responsible for the accident. The liable party or parties are the ones who are responsible for providing you with compensation.
It’s important to note that not all cases are clear. For example, if the at-fault driver was in a company vehicle when the accident occurred, then their employer may be responsible for your injuries. However, in cases of a vehicle malfunction, like a tire blowout, the part manufacturer may be liable.
Since liability in car accident cases can become complex, it’s best to have an accident attorney on your site with prior experience handling these cases.
Deal with Insurance Company Adjusters
Your attorney can work with the insurance company adjusters while you focus on your recovery. It’s never a good idea to speak to an insurance adjuster without first speaking to your attorney. The adjuster’s job is to get you to admit fault or say something else that may reduce the responsibility of their client. When you hand over communication and negotiations to your personal injury lawyer, you don’t have to worry about this happening. Doing so will also help protect you and ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
Determine Future Accident-Related Costs
An attorney will help you assess all the accident-related costs, which include any future medical costs you may experience. This is usually done by talking to your doctor or other medical professionals to determine what your future medical costs may be based on the injuries you suffered in the accident. If future costs are not projected, you may miss out on the compensation needed to complete your rehabilitation and fully recover from your injuries.
Communicate with Debt Collectors and Hospitals Contacting You for Medical Bill Payment
After you are involved in a car accident, your attention needs to be focused on your overall health and recovery. You should never have to deal with bill collectors regarding the payment of your medical bills. Your personal injury attorney can deal with debt collectors and inform them about a pending claim to end the harassment.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
The interest of the insurance company is to minimize what is paid out in claims. This is to protect the company’s bottom line. The initial offer from an insurance company is usually much lower than what your claim is worth. The insurance company for the at-fault driver hopes that you will accept a settlement over and, if you do this, sign away your right to file a lawsuit for additional damages. You should never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without having your injury lawyer review it.
Your auto accident attorney understands the laws related to car accident claims and how to negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement amount. Without an attorney, you are at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company. The lawyer you hire will also help you recover the wages you lost while away from work because of your injuries.
Don’t Wait to Hire an Attorney for Help with Your Car Accident Claim
When it comes to filing a car accident claim, it’s best to hire an attorney to help you with this. They can provide all the services listed here to help you recover the total amount of compensation you deserve.
At Zimmet & Zimmet, our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you. The first step is to contact our office and schedule a free initial consultation.
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