If you have recently been in a car accident, you may be wondering whether you should hire a car accident lawyer – or how to know when it is time to consult a professional in your car accident case. Often, car accident victims delay seeking professional legal assistance because they feel they have a responsibility to “let the process play out” or because they are hesitant to risk being labeled “difficult” or “money-hungry” if they decide to “lawyer up.” These reasons for delay can in many cases stem from misconceptions about the roles a car accident attorney may play in helping car accident victims to pursue fair compensation for their injuries, not always within a courtroom setting. The reality is that filing a civil lawsuit in a car accident case is usually a last resort, and there can be many other situations in which it may make sense to seek the advice and perspective of a legal professional early in the car accident claim process, rather than waiting until you have tried every other means you could think of for pursuing justice, without success.
Gaining a better understanding of the many ways a car accident lawyer may assist his or her clients can put you in a position to recognize when a personal injury attorney experienced in handling car accident cases may be able to provide you with legal advice and support, regardless of whether your case looks destined to end up in court. The Missouri car accident lawyers at Steelman Gaunt Crowley are familiar with the many challenges accident victims may face, and we are happy to answer your questions when you book a free consultation with our team. Call (573) 341-8336 to schedule yours today.
Reason #1: Getting a Professional Case Evaluation
Obviously one of the main reasons for getting a case evaluation is to determine the relative strength or weakness of the evidence and arguments a car accident victim might be able to present if attempts at negotiation prove unsuccessful and the case eventually makes its way to trial. However, an overlooked benefit of seeking this type of assessment early in the car insurance claim process is that a personal injury attorney’s case evaluation is typically based on a thorough and nuanced understanding of both state laws regarding such matters as driver liability and insurance company obligations and relevant case law from previous litigation establishing precedents that may be applicable to the more recent cast. An experienced car accident lawyer in Missouri will typically also use their comprehensive understanding of local laws and the insurance coverage requirements set out by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) to help you understand your own rights and obligations after a crash.
Reason #2: Prioritizing Timely Identification and Collection of Car Accident Evidence
One of the more common challenges that individuals may face in the car insurance claims process is the collection and presentation of evidence in support of their claims. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, accident victims are understandably focused on getting medical attention for their injuries and, if their vehicles are not road-worthy at the scene of the accident, securing alternative transportation.
Unfortunately, however, many types of evidence need to be collected promptly to avoid the risk of faulty witness memories and the fading or erasure of physical or visual evidence (such as blood spatters or photographs of vehicle damage) over time. Often some of the first steps a car accident lawyer will take include obtaining police reports, medical records, and eyewitness testimonies; they may also work with independent experts to verify the extent of vehicle damage or the immediate signs of physical trauma resulting from an accident injury.
Reason #3: Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts to maximize profits. Like any other business, they seek to protect their financial interests. In the case of auto insurance companies, this strategy usually means employing professional insurance adjusters to assess the legitimacy of claims as well as, in many cases, providing estimates of the total cost of medical care and repairs eligible for coverage, based on their findings.
In many cases, insurance companies’ initial settlement offers may be far below the actual value of the “compensatory damages” an accident victim may be owed, as Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute (LII) explains, for the physical injuries and harm to property they have suffered. A Missouri car accident lawyer who is familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies is often in a strong position to negotiate on a client’s behalf to help ensure that the person injured in the crash receives a fair settlement. At Steelman Gaunt Crowley, we typically also provide counsel on when to accept an offer vs. pursuing further legal action.
Reason #4: Accurately Calculating Damages
A car accident can lead to a range of damages, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Calculating the full extent of these damages can be challenging without professional assistance – yet, an accurate valuation is essentially to ensure that your compensation is appropriate to cover the total immediate costs, as well as anticipating any long-term or ongoing expenses that may result from injuries you received in the crash.
An experienced lawyer may often be able to help evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries and fight to ensure you receive compensation that adequately covers all your needs. In many cases, one of the most important services a car accident lawyer performs for their client is the detailed accounting and itemized calculation of damages that allows for the injured individual to reach informed decisions about whether the settlements being proposed by the insurance company are fair and reasonable.
Reason #5: Protecting Your Peace of Mind
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful. Physical injuries and financial strain can each pose significant burdens on their own, and after a car accident they often work in tandem.
Handling legal claims on top of recovery can compound the stress car accident victims often experience. Proactively choosing and hiring a car accident lawyer sets these individuals up to allow a professional to handle the legal complexities associated with each case, freeing up mental “bandwidth” to focus on recovery – and because car accident lawyers in Missouri typically work on a “contingency” basis, accepting payment as a percentage of the damages awarded in court or the insurance payout when the case is settled, the immediate financial demands of working with one of these personal injury attorneys may often be less profound than individuals struggling to recover from their accidents realize.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you have recently been injured or suffered serious property damage in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you likely have numerous questions about your next steps and options for how to proceed. While it is legally possible to pursue fair compensation on your own and there is no requirement to work with a legal professional, in many cases individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents find it helpful to work with a car accident lawyer. These attorneys, practicing in the area of personal injury law, often have valuable experience they can bring to the table, along with their deep knowledge of the law. At Steelman Gaunt Crowley, we offer free initial consultations, so there is no charge and no obligation for setting up an appointment to go over your case with one of our car accident lawyers to gain a professional’s perspective on your situation. Call our Rolla office at (573) 341-8336 to find a time that works for you.
