April 27, 2022 | Car Accidents
Whether big or small, a car accident can be a traumatizing experience. You may be unsure of what to do next. Your primary concern should be to obtain medical attention. Next, you will need to call a lawyer. You must adhere to a strict statute of limitations for all accident cases, so never wait to begin the legal process.
Should I call a lawyer after a car accident, or can I wait?
Since there are strict deadlines for these cases, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after you receive medical treatment.
If you wait too close to the deadline, you may lose your right to compensation. Trying to file a claim after the statute of limitations expires can mean the court dismisses your case, regardless of the facts. Never wait to call a lawyer after a car accident – instead, set up your free case evaluation as soon as possible.
When do you know you need a car accident lawyer?
If you are curious about when you will need a car accident attorney, here are some telltale signs:
- You sustained injuries that require medical treatment
- It was a hit and run
- The other driver is blaming you
- There were multiple parties involved
- Distracted or intoxicated driving was to blame
- The other party did not have insurance
- You were a passenger
- The accident involved a rideshare vehicle such as Uber or Lyft
- The accident involved a commercial vehicle
- You must miss time off of work to tend to your injuries
If any of these elements are present, you need to call a lawyer immediately after your accident. If you are unsure, it is always better to be safe than sorry. A lawyer can review your situation and will be honest about whether you need legal help. Car accident attorneys will not accept unnecessary cases.
How does a lawyer help my case after a car accident?
A car accident lawyer’s most important job is proving fault and negligence after an accident. Every personal injury case has four key elements that must be proven to obtain compensation and win your case.
The first element is the duty of care. A lawyer will need to prove that the other party owed you a duty of care. When it comes to car accidents, drivers have a duty to each other and others on the road to follow all rules and keep each other safe.
The next element is a breach of duty of care. This element is when the person who owed you a duty of care breached that duty by acting negligently.
Next is causation, which refers to determining who was liable for the breach. Lastly, damages are any losses you suffered due to the breach of duty of care. Once you have addressed all of these elements, a car accident lawyer can seek compensation on your behalf.
What else does a car accident lawyer help with following a crash?
While the elements above have made it seem as though it is easy to prove a case, there are several other roles that an attorney has.
An experienced and reliable lawyer will also:
- Collect evidence
- Write a demand letter
- File a claim
- File a lawsuit
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Communication with adjusters, creditors, and other lawyers on behalf of the accident victim
Car accident attorneys work with victims and their families to protect their rights and keep them informed through the entire process. This legal assistance allows you to focus on healing while we handle the rest.
How do car crashes happen?
You may be wondering how car crashes happen and if there is any way you can avoid them. While you should follow all posted signage, such as speed limits and stop signs, this may not be enough to prevent a car accident. Unfortunately, most car crashes are preventable if only other drivers follow the rules of the road as you did.
When a driver does not follow the rules of the road and acts negligently, this can lead to an accident.
Most often, these negligent actions include:
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Speeding
- Reckless endangerment
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Brake failure
- Following too closely
- Dangerous road conditions
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
The above is not a complete list but gives a few examples of how collisions happen across the state and the country. The reality is that an accident can happen for many reasons and often when you least expect it.
Did you suffer injuries in a car crash?
Suffering injuries in a car accident can lead to lifelong consequences. Injuries do not only affect the person who was involved in the ancient but their families as well.
Some of the most common injuries you may sustain in a motor vehicle accident
include:
- Burn injuries
- Bruises and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Shoulder injuries
If you have suffered an injury in a collision, you need to call a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies will often try to settle claims for the lowest amounts possible.
They often succeed when the accident victim doesn’t have a lawyer representing them. They will find even the slightest reason to lower your claim.
Types of car accidents we handle
No two car accidents are the same, and you will need a lawyer who has experience handling all types of accidents.
Some might include:
- Parking lot accidents
- Rental car crashes
- Speeding crashes
- Drunk driving accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Distracted driving
- Whiplash injury crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Uninsured motorist accidents
- Underinsured motorist crashes
We handle many more accidents, and you must have someone on your side who has experience handling your case. If you wait too long to file a claim, the court or lack of evidence may drastically reduce your settlement.
Even if you believe that your accident was minor or you can resolve it on your own, there may be underlying issues to address.
Chris Dixon & Greg Motil – Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis
Call a car accident lawyer for help today
Do not wait until you are nearing the end of the statute of limitation to call an attorney. The sooner you contact an attorney, the faster we can begin building your case. We will hurry to collect evidence, medical records, and police reports. We will consult with expert witnesses to determine how much your case is worth and begin negotiations with the insurance company.
A car accident lawyer knows the ins and outs of the law, how to conduct an accident investigation, and how to secure expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. This all takes time, however, and you want to ensure your attorney has ample opportunity to gather evidence and present the strongest claim possible. Then, the insurance process must happen before your lawyer considers filing a lawsuit.
All of this means you should call a personal injury law firm’s lawyer sooner rather than later. After your health stabilizes, reach out for legal help and a free case evaluation.