Brian White | January 30, 2024 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may have heard that a car accident lawyer can help you recover injury compensation. However, if you’ve never worked with one before, you probably have some questions about what a car accident lawyer does and whether it’s worth hiring legal representation for your claim.
Taking a closer look at a car accident attorney’s job can help you understand how a lawyer makes a difference in your case.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Fights for You
On the surface, a car accident attorney has one job: to help you recover as much injury compensation as possible through a driver’s insurance policy. However, achieving this goal comes down to performing a series of smaller tasks, each of which requires extensive skill and experience.
Collects Evidence
Once you hire a car accident lawyer, their first job is to collect the evidence they’ll need to build a case and demonstrate your case value. Your lawyer needs to collect extensive amounts of evidence, which they’ll then use to build a case. Your lawyer may need to secure copies of:
- Medical records
- Accident/police reports
- Medical bills and receipts
- Paystubs/W2s showing lost wages
- Insurance forms
- Copies of the relevant insurance policies
- Eyewitness statements
- Traffic/security camera footage
Every car accident is unique, and the process of collecting evidence can take time. For instance, a lawyer might need to check with local businesses to see if any security cameras caught the crash on video. If they did, they’ll then need to go through the process of obtaining copies of the footage.
Builds Your Case
Your lawyer’s job is to prove that the other driver’s negligence was the cause of the crash. For example, drunk driving, distracted driving, and reckless driving are all common reasons why accidents happen. Your lawyer will consider why the crash occurred and use the evidence they collect to prove you didn’t cause the crash.
Some car accidents require additional measures. For instance, a lawyer might need to:
- Have the other driver tested for substance use to prove drunk driving
- Obtain a warrant for access to their cell phone records to prove they were texting
- Hire an accident reconstruction specialist to testify against the other driver
The exact steps a lawyer takes depend on the details of the accident. However, a skilled lawyer knows how to identify which approach is likely to bring the best results for a given client. They’ll use their legal experience to interpret the facts in your favor.
Identifies Your Case Value
Half the battle in building a car accident case is establishing liability. The other half is establishing case value. How much money you qualify for depends on many factors. Some of these include:
- Medical bills
- Medical device costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Insurance policy limits
Your lawyer will use the evidence they collect to demonstrate how much your claim is worth. They’ll also consider any future costs or losses, like future medical procedures and whether you’ll be able to return to work. In some cases, your attorney may hire expert assistance to strengthen your claim further.
Negotiates Your Settlement
Once your lawyer has built a strong case, they’ll begin negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. Insurance companies try hard to keep their settlements small, but an experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate for a fair amount considering your injuries.
If the insurance company refuses to settle, your lawyer might recommend taking them to court. If that happens, they’ll represent you in court and fight for a verdict in your favor.
Always Consult With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
It takes a lot of legal experience to successfully recover a fair compensation value after a car crash. Assuming you don’t need a lawyer to handle your claim is a mistake. It’s always worth taking the time to consult a car accident attorney before moving forward. You might be surprised how much a skilled lawyer can improve your outcome.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers
3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350
Houston, TX 77098
United States
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – East Fwy
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Houston, TX 77029
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Houston, TX 77054
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