Being in an accident is a traumatic event, physically and mentally. In addition to injuries requiring medical attention, victims are left with transportation challenges and have to deal with insurance adjusters who seem to speak another language. Here are five situations where it makes sense to consult a lawyer.
Liability Questions
Even in cases of obvious fault, insurance adjusters and their lawyers sometimes try to muddy the water by pointing the finger of blame at either the victim, a third party motorist, or anyone other than the responsible party. Having a lawyer with enough experience and confidence to push back against attempts to evade responsibility is critical if an accident victim wants to be fully compensated.
Damages Are Not Fully Known
With serious injuries, it takes time to understand and appreciate the full extent of an accident victim’s damages. Doctors use a standardized method of determining permanent impairment and experienced injury lawyers are well versed in the terminology and techniques used to make these determinations. Often the lawyer is required to intercede and advocate on behalf of the client/patient in the event a medical professional overlooks criteria that could be important to the ultimate case outcome.
There Are Previous Injuries
Insurance companies often deny responsibility by claiming an injury was pre-existing, even if the accident made things worse. The professionals at law firms like Gould Injury Law have the medical and legal knowledge necessary to avoid this trap by corresponding with medical professionals to address this important issue on the front end and make sure all clinical records reflect the reality of the victim’s injury timeline.
Multi-Car Crashes
In multi-car crashes, there can be confusion about who actually caused the crash. Insurance companies love to point fingers in all directions to avoid responsibility. Getting a lawyer with skilled accident investigators involved early is critical for a fair settlement.
Company Vehicles
If a company vehicle of any type is involved in a crash, having a lawyer on board to investigate all possible claims against the company. If an employer failed to do proper background checks or ignored red flags, corporate responsibility theories may come into play and greatly enhance the possibility of victims receiving a large monetary settlement.
Every accident victim deserves full compensation. Insurance adjusters are constantly looking to deny responsibility and save their company money. A well-trained lawyer understands the process and will navigate the claims and litigation process on behalf of the victim.