Why You Should Hire an Accident Attorney An experienced accident lawyer can handle all legal details and tasks you're unable to complete. This includes gathering evidence, completing the proper paperwork and the negotiation with insurance companies. Top car accident attorneys have a wealth of experience in preparing trial and in the process of attempting multi-million dollar cases. This means they are less likely to to settle a case for less than you deserve. Legal Advice Car accidents can be extremely stressful and disrupt your life. You could suffer injuries or property damage, and even lose money. You can have peace of assurance by having someone guide you through the legal system. This allows you to focus on healing. It is not required to engage an NYC car accident attorney but it can make a huge difference in getting you compensated for your losses. If you first speak to an attorney, you'll be advised on whether it is in your best interest to file a claim through the insurance company of the driver who is at fault or under your own personal injury protection (PIP) provision. The law offices of Anidjar & Levine can also advise you on common pitfalls that could trap you when filing an insurance claim. They'll guide you through the process. An experienced attorney will examine your evidence and determine the value of your case in terms or damages. This is based on the specifics of the incident, including the person who was at fault your injuries, the length of time they will last, the property damage, lost wages, and other factors. They will also determine if you are eligible for punitive damages which are meant to punish defendants who have engaged in particularly problematic or shady or obscene behavior. Your lawyer will then gather evidence to back up your claim. This includes witness contact information, photos of the scene, photos of your injuries, and anything else that they may need. They will also know what experts to employ, what documents to request from the person responsible and how to negotiate directly with insurance companies to maximize your compensation. Your attorney will be your advocate at each stage and will fight for you. They will defend your legal rights, deal directly with insurance companies, and argue your case in front of an arbitrator or judge. They have the knowledge and know-how to earn you more cash than if you dealt with your claim process alone. The decision to engage a lawyer will ultimately come down to how comfortable you are with managing the legal process on your own. Gathering Evidence In any legal proceeding there is a need for evidence in establish the facts of an incident as well as proving the liability for your loss. Car accident cases are no exception. https://vimeo.com/709540607 can include witness statements as well as physical items, documents, and more. Evidence is anything that is more likely to allow your side of the story to be accepted as truth. Weather, or other circumstances can cause evidence to be destroyed or changed if it isn't preserved immediately after an accident. For this reason, it is crucial to return to the scene of the accident and take photos, if it is possible. Photographs can provide a wealth of information like the destruction to vehicles and other objects such as stop signs' locations, traffic signals as well as road conditions and weather conditions. skid marks. Note everything you remember about the incident. This includes how it happened and who is responsible. The written account could be helpful if you forget details later and help your lawyer understand the complete circumstances surrounding the incident. If there are witnesses, make sure to get their names and contact details at the scene. Ask them if they saw the accident and if they would be willing testify in court. Also, if you own your cell phone you can record any footage of the crash or its aftermath that you can find. Depending on the severity of the injuries you sustained, document in detail any visible bruising or other physical symptoms of pain. This is especially important if you have suffered serious injuries. It will help demonstrate the impact of the accident and also the degree and extent of your losses. You should also request medical records from your doctor or hospital as quickly as possible following your accident. These records will detail your emotional and physical suffering as well as your medical expenses. These records will be required in any future claims you make in connection with your medical expenses, lost wages or vehicle repairs. Your insurance company will use them to calculate amount of reimbursement you'll get. Negotiating with Insurance Companies Insurance companies have their own interests in mind and will do anything to cut down on the amount they pay an accident victim. This is why having an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases is vital. Your lawyer is your advocate and they must act in your best interest throughout the legal process. They will collect evidence, such as police reports and photos, as well witness testimony. They will also collaborate with experts, like accident recreation experts and forensic specialists, to determine the cause. In addition they will scrutinize any and all accountable parties such as the car manufacturer and the city that is responsible for road maintenance or even the bar that served an alcoholic driver. After your lawyer has completed the investigation and gathered all the evidence, he will create the demand form and submit it to the insurance company. This package will include your medical statements and bills, property damage costs, lost wages and future earnings, and any other related costs you've incurred because of the accident. The insurance company will then analyze the evidence and calculate your losses. They will then offer you a settlement, and you decide if to accept it or negotiate further. In the event that you do not agree with the initial settlement offer, your lawyer will help you decide what to do next. They will review your demands, analyze the evidence and your injuries to determine whether you have a right to additional compensation. They will then negotiate an equitable settlement with the insurance company. It is important to keep in mind that your lawyer will not give less than you deserve. Your lawyer will let the insurance company know that he is working on your behalf and will do all they can to prevent paying more than you deserve. One of the most common tactics used by the insurance companies is to make you feel pressured into accepting a low-ball price. They do this because they are aware that they'll have to spend more if you choose to hire an attorney later on. Filing an action Attorneys who specialize in car accidents know how to gather and organize evidence that will back your claim. They also have years working with insurance adjusters, and aren't reluctant to take them on in court if required. They will ensure that you receive adequate funds from the insurance company to cover medical expenses, ongoing treatment costs and lost wages. An experienced attorney can assist you in determining how much compensation you are entitled to in relation to the severity of your injuries and how they affected your life. This involves calculating the future medical expenses along with past and potential loss of earnings, emotional trauma, physical pain, and any permanent impairments you've suffered. The law provides that you are entitled to claim the compensation you incurred from the person at fault. If you try to fight an insurance company by yourself you're likely to get much less than what you really need. Hiring an attorney to deal with the insurance company on your behalf is the most effective way to avoid such a situation. If you are injured in a car crash and require medical care as promptly as you are able. Even even if your injuries aren't apparent, a visit to the doctor will establish the connection between the accident and your injury. This is essential for establishing the basis of your claim. It could also uncover other damages you could be eligible to receive. In many cases, car accidents are triggered by negligence of another driver. In these instances you could be able to bring a claim for injury against the insurance company of the driver responsible or your own insurance company. A lawyer is well-versed in these claims and the statutes of limitation (time limits for filing lawsuits) which could impede your claim if it is not make a claim on time. An experienced New York car accident attorney can provide you with the information you need to make a sound decision on the next step. Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon to arrange a no-obligation free review of your case. We can also assist you get the compensation you require to recover.