Duluth Car Accident Attorney examines the case details and determine liability. They consider the full scope of damages, including current and future medical treatment costs and loss of income.
Lawyers also review medical records to establish a link between the accident and your injuries. They calculate policy limits to secure maximum compensation.
Car accidents can be extremely frightening and leave victims struggling with physical trauma, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. Medical bills lost wages from time off work, property damage, and more can quickly pile up after a crash. If you are struggling to make ends meet after a car accident, getting free legal advice from a reputable law firm specializing in motor vehicle accidents is important.
When selecting a lawyer, look for one with experience handling car accident cases in your city and state. You also want an attorney who is familiar with local court procedures, staff and judges. This will be beneficial in your case if the case goes to trial. It is crucial to find an attorney who understands the law, how it applies to your situation and has a track record of settling or winning cases that go to trial.
The first step is to schedule a free consultation with a qualified attorney. During the consultation, your attorney will assess your claim and explain how they will fight for maximum compensation. They will take into account all of your losses, including current and future medical expenses, loss of income and property damage. They may also be able to help you obtain punitive damages, which are designed to punish negligent defendants for particularly troublesome behavior.
After your free consultation, you can begin gathering documentation for your case. You should keep a diary of your injuries and treatment, take lots of pictures of the accident site and damage to your vehicle, and start a file for receipts and paperwork. It’s also helpful to write down names and contact information of any witnesses who could be important to your case.
Collect Witnesses’ Contact Information
Whether or not they witnessed the actual accident, witnesses may provide important information that can help you win your case. For example, they might have overheard involved parties making damaging statements that can be used as evidence in court. Alternatively, they might have observed that one of the drivers was injured or intoxicated and this could be relevant to your claim.
Locating and identifying witnesses can be difficult, especially if an extended amount of time has passed since the crash. This is why it’s important to begin this process as soon as possible after the accident.
Start by reviewing the police report – which is usually available to the public – and looking for names of people who might have seen the accident. Then, try to locate these witnesses and ask them to talk to you. If they agree, make sure to politely request their name, address and phone number. Tell them that you may need to ask them to give a written statement as well.
Also, remind them of their rights as a witness. They can withhold personal information, decline to revisit the scene of the accident, or refuse to take part in a recorded interview. They can also refuse to sign on any written documents and do not have to answer questions that are irrelevant to the case. Finally, remind them that they cannot be coerced into agreeing to do any of these things. Do not attempt to threaten them or use other tactics, as this can be considered tampering with a witness.
File a Petition
When a car accident happens, it can be terrifying. Even a minor fender-bender can cause significant property damage, serious injuries, and months of legal battles. Car accident lawyers help injured people get the compensation they deserve. They can help with filing injury claims, investigating the incident, and negotiating settlement agreements with insurance companies.
When choosing a car accident lawyer, you should evaluate their track record, reputation, and network. A well-established law firm with a good reputation can make it easier to negotiate a settlement because opposing parties and judges are more familiar with them.
A car accident attorney can also assist with accident reconstruction analysis and other related work, which is important if your case involves a complicated crash. In these cases, the lawyer can work with experts to determine the cause of your accident and hold any negligent parties accountable.
For example, if your accident occurred because of a poorly maintained road, the lawyer can file a claim against the city or town responsible for maintaining the roadway. They can also help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if they do not have sufficient auto insurance coverage.
It’s important to hire a car accident attorney in New York when you’re dealing with severe injuries, death, or extensive property damage. If you try to settle your claim without an attorney, you’ll likely miss out on the compensation that you’re entitled to. The legal fees for car accident attorneys are typically a percentage of the final compensation, which is usually more than what you’d receive if you handled your own case. However, it’s important to ask about the legal fees before hiring a lawyer for your case.
Don’t Accept the Initial Settlement Offer
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and stressed. You’re dealing with medical bills, property damage, lost wages and other financial issues. So when the insurance company offers a quick settlement, it may seem like a relief. However, the initial offer is usually far below what you’re owed for your injuries and losses.
An experienced attorney can review your claim’s damages and determine what your case is actually worth. They can gather relevant evidence, including medical records and bills, police reports, witness statements and more. They can also enter settlement negotiations with the insurance company to secure maximum compensation for your claim.
Insurance companies often make low initial settlement offers because they know that you’re desperate to get a check and that they can easily underpay your claim. They may try to use a variety of tactics, such as delaying your case and asking for broad medical authorizations that give them access to private health information, claiming that your injuries or illnesses are related to preexisting conditions or unrelated to the accident, misrepresenting available auto insurance coverage and more.
When you accept an initial settlement offer, you’re giving up your right to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for the remaining amount of your claim. You also waive your right to seek compensation from other sources, such as your own auto insurance policy’s underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. This could leave you financially vulnerable in the future if your injuries are more extensive than expected. So, before you accept an initial settlement offer, consult with a lawyer to ensure it’s fair and just. They can review your claims, calculate the full extent of your injuries and losses, and negotiate a higher settlement for you.
Contact Easton & Easton
A car accident lawyer is your guide through the complexities of the legal system. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and help you get the money you need to recover from your injuries. An attorney will also ensure that the insurance company doesn’t lowball your claim or give you less than what you need for your medical bills and other expenses.
When you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, don’t try to handle the process alone. Despite New York’s no-fault insurance laws, you may need to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver in order to recover the full extent of your damages. Our attorneys can help you decide whether to accept an insurance settlement or go all the way to trial and a jury verdict.
In the event that you are injured by a vehicle owned by someone else, you may have a claim against that owner, as well as the dealership or shop that serviced the vehicle. We have extensive experience in these types of claims, and our lawyers will work to find all sources of compensation for your injury.
We will never charge you for an initial office consultation, and we don’t get paid unless you win. That’s our promise to you, a promise that Doug Easton, Brian Easton, and Matt Easton live by every day. It’s a commitment that has resulted in our firm being named the Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County, and it’s why Doug, Brian, and Matt have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers each year since 2014 — an honor held by less than 1% of attorneys nationwide.
Call us to see how we can help you. Remember, never give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with your own car accident attorney. The words you say can be used against you later, and an insurance adjuster is only interested in the facts that support their position.
