Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Crash?
Although there is no legal requirement for you to obtain legal representation, having a car accident lawyer on your side could benefit you. While you’re recovering from your injuries, they can investigate your case, gather evidence, calculate your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement. Your injury attorney can offer their help on a contingency-fee basis, so they only take payment if they secure a financial award for you.
Contact Phillips | Tadros, P.A., at (954) 642-8885 to learn more in a free consultation.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Could Help You
It is not uncommon for car accident victims to suffer injuries. So, the last thing you will want to do is handle the legal details of a car accident insurance or civil claim on your own.
Fortunately, your attorney can deal with all aspects of your case so you can focus your energy on recuperating. Here is a general idea of what you can expect from your car accident lawyer:
#1. Investigate the Cause of the Car Crash
To recover compensation for your damages, you will need to show that someone else is responsible for causing your car accident or resulting injuries. Your attorney will need to investigate the cause of the collision to establish liability. Some common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane change or merge
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Dangerous road conditions
- Defective auto parts
Without a lawyer on your side, it may be more difficult to determine how your accident occurred or who is responsible for causing your injuries.
#2. Obtain Evidence to Support Your Claim
You must prove your car accident civil claim based on a preponderance of the evidence. This means the evidence you present must show that it’s more likely than not that the other party is responsible for causing the victim’s injuries.
Common forms of evidence you may use to prove liability in a car accident claim include:
- The policy report
- Safety inspection logs and reports
- Blood alcohol test results
- Video footage of the accident, including CCTV footage, dash cam footage, body cam footage, and video from nearby businesses or homes
- Photos of the victim’s injuries, the car accident scene, and any vehicle damages
- Copies of the victim’s medical records
- Financial records
- Reports from accident reconstructionists
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
Your attorney may be able to gather certain types of evidence that may not be readily available to you, such as video footage.
#3. Evaluate Your Damages
It is common for car accident victims to undervalue their damages. You may be surprised to discover that you have the right to seek compensation for every loss you have suffered if someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. This compensation does not just include your monetary losses but your non-monetary losses as well.
Your attorney will need to evaluate your losses to ensure no damage goes unaccounted for. Frequent types of losses in car accident claims include:
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Past and future medical care costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Property damage costs
If you lost your loved one to the car crash, you could recover wrongful death damages. They could be for end-of-life medical care costs, loss of consortium, and funeral or burial fees.
#4. File Insurance Claims and Negotiate
In many car accident claims, dealing with the insurance company is one way you can recover compensation for your damages.
However, getting a lawyer to advocate for your rights could prove important. Insurance companies work to safeguard their bottom line. They often resort to questionable tactics in the hopes the claimant will take a low settlement or accept fault for the car crash.
Have your car accident lawyer step in and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. That way, you do not have to worry about being forced to settle for less than your claim is worth or having unwarranted blame placed on you for the accident.
#5. Meet State-Imposed Deadlines
Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the most appropriate way for you to obtain compensation. However, you must be aware of the statute of limitations that Florida enforces. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), claimants generally have four years to take action. Those bringing a wrongful death case usually have two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d).
It can be difficult to identify how much time you have to file, but our lawyer can figure that out for you. Just make sure you get in touch with our firm soon. If you’re too late to file, you probably won’t be able to recover compensation from the other party. It would then be your responsibility to make up for those costs.
#6. Advocate for You at Trial
Insurance settlements may not always be enough to meet your needs. You might find that your damages exceed the amount of coverage on your or the other party’s insurance policy.
If that happens, you can recover the damages by taking your case to civil court. At trial, we will introduce the evidence we gathered during your investigation to prove liability.
We will seek maximum compensation for your damages after calculating the value of your claim. If the judge and jury decide in your favor, the defendant will be ordered to compensate you for your damages accordingly.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer at Our Firm in Broward County for Help
Whether you need a lawyer for your car crash is your call. However, if you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident and you are not sure where to turn for help, reach out to Phillips | Tadros, P.A. today.
Our firm proudly offers no-cost, risk-free consultations to car accident victims across Broward County. Take advantage of this opportunity by calling our office at (954) 642-8885.