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About a year ago, I had a pretty nasty automobile accident. It was becoming clear in dealing with the insurance company that they weren't going to cover everything. I really felt like I needed somebody to help me through the process. I ended up calling Keller and Keller. Keller and Keller helped me deal with the insurance company. They listened to my situation. They said that they would take action, and they did. Call the name you know: Call Keller and Keller.
What Information Do I Need in a Car Accident?
An accident can be seemingly minor or significant; it can occur at a busy downtown intersection or on a deserted country road. No matter the details of your crash, victims should collect contact information for any and all witnesses.
If the police are called to the accident scene, they will make a report that assigns fault to one of the drivers based—in part—on statements from witnesses. But mistakes can happen. Obtain information from witnesses if you're able to so that if the blame falls on you, you don’t have to rely on the officer.
During the course of the insurance company’s investigation, they might also decide to place full or partial blame on you. This is often based on little more than hearsay. Witness statements can be your best defense in a "he said-she said" situation.
An accident lawyer at one of Keller & Keller’s offices will work to contact witnesses, as well as attempt to locate witnesses not listed on the report to ensure that their testimony is properly recorded on behalf of your case.
5 Ways a 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.
Contact Our Top Car Accident Lawyers Today to Get Started
The personal injury attorney team at Keller & Keller has years of success handling auto accident cases and would be honored to help you and your family with the legal recovery process while you focus on healing. We offer free consultations and would be happy to answer your questions. We serve the communities of Indiana, New Mexico, and Michigan, with offices located in Indianapolis, South Bend, Albuquerque, and St. Joseph.
