5 Ways a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

A car crash can turn a seemingly normal life into one of pain and confusion. Medical bills can pile up, you may not be able to return to work, and your family can be thrust into a state of turmoil. For many victims, hiring a car accident lawyer in Wyoming is the first step to getting back to normal. An accident attorney can guide you through this troubling time and fight to protect your rights.

5 Ways a Car Accident Lawyer in Wyoming Can Help You

1. Fight for a Fair Out-of-Court Settlement

Car accident victims often envision going to court with their Truck wreck lawyer San Antonio and enjoying a celebratory victory over the defendant. Unfortunately, this vision is little more than fantasy. Only 5% of all personal injury cases in the U.S. go to trial, largely because of the time factor. The courts move slowly, and in the meantime, you’re likely to face mounting medical bills and lost wages.

Protect Your Interests

The better option is to type, although not always, settle out of court. But these settlements must be carefully handled – that is, you need an experienced car accident lawyer in Wyoming. Insurance companies may act like they have your best interests at heart, but they rarely do. The less they have to pay in insurance claims, the more they stand to profit.

With this thought in mind, most adjusters will offer an initial settlement that is far below the true value of your claim. An attorney will review that offer and plainly let you know if you can do better. Together, the two of you can fight for fair compensation.

2. Protect You from Debt Collectors

Every year, between 20 and 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries in car accidents that can lead to lengthy hospital stays and disabilities. It’s understandable that this difficult time could mean you default on your bills. The problem is that companies you owe money to don’t care why you’ve fallen behind. They only care about their money and will not hesitate to send unpaid bills to debt collection agencies.

Debt collectors can be pretty relentless in their efforts to extract payment and may even threaten you or your family. A lawyer familiar with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act can serve as your frontline defence against illegal debt practices. They will also share regular updates on your case’s progress so you know when you might expect a settlement check.

3. Handle Negotiations with the Insurance Company

Car accident victims who speak to insurance companies without an attorney present can seriously jeopardize their claims. Adjusters know victims are under a great deal of stress and vulnerable to subtle tactics. They will seek information in the hopes of limiting your settlement or denying your claim altogether.

You shouldn’t give an insurance company more details than they need. Once certain statements are made and recorded, they cannot be taken back. The bottom line is that a well-qualified attorney should handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf.

4. Obtain Crucial Evidence of Liability

A seasoned attorney will help to obtain the evidence you need to prove liability in a car accident claim. This might start with the accident scene itself. While you may have previously taken photos of the scene, your lawyer will likely go there to get a clear visual of the road and its surroundings.

Your car accident lawyer will also request copies of accident and/or police reports and potentially speak with the investigating officers. Eyewitnesses may be interviewed and video footage from nearby businesses is requested. In short, significant time will be devoted to gathering and reviewing evidence to substantiate your claim.

5. Collect Evidence of Damages

This is where an attorney’s work becomes invaluable. If you’ve suffered significant injuries following an accident, your lawyer will need to obtain copies of your medical records.

Those records are yours, and you have a legal right to them. Most health care providers, however, are lax in providing the appropriate copies. Small offices typically lack the staff to timely respond to medical record requests, while large hospitals and clinics implement procedures that must be followed for each request. If you don’t follow those procedures exactly, your request will simply be ignored.

The Need to Work With Providers

Another concern that must be properly handled is the receipt of incomplete records. Likewise, the doctor may not have used in their notes acceptable verbiage regarding causation and prognosis of your injuries. To successfully manage any type of personal injury claim, medical evidence must show:

• The exact nature of your physical limitation, disability, or injury
• That the cause is owed to the defendant’s negligence

If this information is missing from your records, your lawyer will communicate with your provider(s) directly. They will ask for more details regarding the cause of your injury or disability as well as an appropriate prognosis.

You should never try to handle a car accident claim on your own. An attorney can fight for the compensation you deserve, safeguard you from unsavory debt collectors, and manage discussions with the insurance company. They will also collect evidence that will be key in proving your claim. And in the meantime, you can focus on regaining your mental and physical strength.