You don’t always need to call a lawyer after a car accident. For example, if the crash was your fault, there is no need for a lawyer. If another driver caused the crash, and you only had minor injuries, you can probably file a claim with their insurance company to cover your costs without the help of a lawyer. However, when your injuries are serious enough that you require hospitalization and time off work, or there is a dispute over who is at fault in the crash, hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can make a world of difference in resolving the claim in your favor.
5 Ways a New Mexico Personal Injury Attorney Can Help After a Crash
The aftermath of a serious car crash is a confusing time. You might have left the scene in an ambulance, your car might be totaled, and you might be getting calls from insurance companies immediately. You want your life to get back to normal as quickly as possible, but you don’t know how to do that. When you hire an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after the crash, they can get to work resolving your claim so that you can focus on healing.
Skilled car accident attorneys help their clients in the following ways:
- Preventing mistakes. The sooner a lawyer is representing you, the more mistakes you can avoid in your case. Insurance companies will do everything they can to trick you into accepting less than your claim is worth, especially if they know you have a strong case. Your lawyer will advise you on what not to do so that you don’t unknowingly lower the value of your claim. Common mistakes people make are admitting fault, not getting medical care, accepting a lowball settlement offer, and destroying evidence. With a lawyer on your side, these things won’t happen.
- Handling the insurance company. The less you say to an insurance adjuster, the better. When you hire a lawyer, they will take over all communication and negotiations with the insurance company for the at-fault driver. When insurers see that you have a lawyer representing you, they know they have to play fair. Even though you will owe some of your settlement money to the lawyer, you will likely still end up with more than you would have if you had dealt with the insurance company on your own.
- Gathering evidence. A strong claim needs strong evidence. You will need evidence to prove that the other driver was at fault. This might include a police accident report, traffic camera video, pictures of the scene, and eyewitness testimony. Medical records, scans and x-rays, medical bills, and occupational assessments can be used to document the extent of your injuries. A lawyer will begin gathering this evidence immediately.
- Determining the value of your case. Catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities caused by a car accident will require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. A skilled attorney will understand potential future costs when deciding on a settlement demand. You cannot trust the insurance company to do this on your behalf.
- Filing a lawsuit. If the insurance company does not agree to an acceptable settlement, a lawyer will be prepared to take the case to trial and let a judge decide. Insurers do not want to do this, so they will be motivated to give your lawyer what they want to avoid a trial. This leverage is something you do not have when you represent yourself.
You Have Nothing to Lose by Getting More Information
Keller & Keller offers free initial consultations out of our Albuquerque office, so you can find out what we can do for you at no cost and with no obligation to hire us. We will review the facts of your case and give you an honest assessment of the value of your case. If you decide to hire us, you will only owe us a fee if we successfully resolve your case in your favor. At that point, we will get a percentage of your reward—so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You truly have nothing to lose by making a call to Keller & Keller to find out if we can help after a devastating car accident.
