A car accident can turn your world upside-down in an instant. The aftermath can be stressful and overwhelming as you try to heal while dealing with an insurance company and mounting bills.
This is where a car accident lawyer steps in to help. An experienced lawyer provides legal guidance and acts as your advocate to pursue the compensation you deserve. Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery, knowing they will build the strongest claim possible and handle negotiations on your behalf.
Here is an overview of the many roles of a car accident attorney and how they can help you through every stage of your case.
Provides Legal Advice
A car accident lawyer’s legal advice and guidance throughout your case can be invaluable. Your lawyer can give you advice about:
- Your rights
- The claims process
- Options to pursue compensation
- Strengths and weaknesses of your claim
- Damages you may be entitled to recover
- What you can expect
- The likely outcome of your case
- Steps you should take next
Your lawyer’s guidance can also help you avoid costly mistakes that may harm your case.
Gathers Evidence To Prove Causation and Liability
Proving who is at fault is essential for your case. The insurance company will investigate the crash to reach its own conclusions. Your lawyer will perform an investigation as well to gather evidence and document facts.
During the investigation, your lawyer will gather evidence such as:
- Police report or crash report
- Citations issued
- Photos of the scene of the crash
- Position of vehicles and damage
- Traffic camera or dash cam footage
- Witness statements
Your lawyer may even subpoena additional evidence like the other driver’s cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected.
In cases involving complex accidents, truck accidents, or unclear liability, your lawyer may work with an accident reconstruction specialist. This evidence is analyzed to determine causation or the events that caused the crash. This is crucial to proving liability.
Assesses The Value Of Your Damages
Determining the value of your damages is another critical task that may be more complicated than you think. Some damages are easy to calculate, such as lost wages and medical bills. If you are facing long-term medical expenses, disability, or a diminished ability to work, calculating these future damages can be tricky.
Your lawyer will also consider your non-economic damages or the emotional and psychological harm you suffered. These damages have no intrinsic financial value. Your lawyer may estimate a value based on your economic or financial losses as a starting point for negotiations.
Works With Experts To Strengthen Your Claim
Complex cases often require expert testimony to:
- Clarify technical details for a jury, such as the nature of a disability or injury
- Prove causation, or the actions that led to the crash, to establish liability
- Challenge claims made by the other party
- Calculate damages, especially complex or future losses
Car accident lawyers collaborate with medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, vocational experts, and other experts to bolster your claim.
Handles All Communications and Paperwork
Dealing with insurance companies can be daunting and exhausting. Your lawyer takes over all communications, ensuring that you don’t make any statements that could jeopardize your claim. They handle phone calls, emails, and paperwork, giving you peace of mind and more time to focus on your recovery.
Your legal team will also monitor all deadlines that apply to your case, including the statute of limitations. This ensures you do not lose your opportunity to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Negotiate a Settlement On Your Behalf
The majority of car accident cases are settled out of court through a settlement agreement. Your lawyer uses their negotiation skills to pursue a fair settlement that covers your damages. An experienced injury lawyer balances the pursuit of maximum compensation against the cost of a trial.
Your lawyer will fight for your best interests, ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve. During negotiations, your attorney will defend you against attempts to unfairly blame you for your accident or minimize your losses.
Presents Your Case Before a Jury if Necessary
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your car accident lawyer is prepared to take your case to court by filing a personal injury lawsuit. They present evidence, question witnesses, and argue your case before a judge and jury. Their courtroom expertise is invaluable, providing you with the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome.
Taking a case to court is a last resort because it’s a time-consuming and expensive process. However, it may be the best way to secure the compensation you deserve when the insurance company is not willing to make a fair offer.
Your lawyer will still negotiate with the insurance company, and a settlement agreement is likely to be reached before your case goes to court.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Throughout the Claims Process
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. A car accident lawyer allows you to focus on healing while they handle the claims process and pursue the money you need from the at-fault party.
Contact a Personal Injury lawyer at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you were injured in an accident in Missouri due to someone else’s careless or negligent actions, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. Your attorney will fight for fair compensation, and they don’t get paid unless you win.
For more information, contact the attorneys at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County, and we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, Clayton, and Creve Coeur.
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1010 Market Street, Suite 1605
St. Louis, Missouri
(314) 557-2869
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Chesterfield Office
400 Chesterfield Center Suite 400
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 519-0085
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
11628 Old Ballas Rd, Suite 320
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(636) 519-0085
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Clayton Office
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1100
Clayton, MO 63105
(636) 519-0085