While you are not required to contact a lawyer after a car accident, you may find that working with a Tacoma car accident lawyer makes your case easier to manage. Recovering damages after a car accident is a complex legal matter. If you hire a lawyer after a car accident, they can deal with the legal complexities of your case for you. Your personal injury attorney will speak on your behalf and deal with the insurance company, so you do not have to.
By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you get the benefit of their familiarity with state and local car accident law. They will also calculate your potential recoverable damages and negotiate with the insurance company. Most will review your case at no cost or obligation and explain the steps they will take to recover the damages you need and deserve.
Why You Should Consider Contacting a Lawyer After a Car Accident
On your own, it can be hard to deal with the insurance company after an accident. If a lawyer represents you, they will handle all the details and minutiae of your case. You may want to hire a lawyer to handle your personal injury claim if:
- You experienced delayed injury symptoms
- The at-fault driver is faulting you for the collision
- Your case is complex or involves multiple vehicles
- The insurance company offers you a speedy settlement
- You believe the insurance company is not treating you fairly
- You are unsure of the timeline and how it applies to your case
- The insurance company asks you for a written or recorded statement
An additional benefit of hiring a lawyer is their ability to determine the value of your case. They can also explain how you can increase the value of your compensation request by helping you avoid having any recoverable damages inadvertently overlooked or omitted.
The Lawyer You Contact Can Prove Financial Liability for a Car Accident
Before you can recover damages for a car accident, your legal team has to document the at-fault driver’s negligence. That means your lawyer will have to prove they:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Breached their legal duty
- Caused your car accident
- Caused your damages
These elements of negligence can be proven with a strong evidence collection. Your lawyer will obtain the police report, accident scene reconstruction reports, and witness statements. These documents will prove the accident’s cause and contributing factors.
They will also collect your medical bills, paycheck stubs, and vehicle repair or replacement estimates. These documents will prove the monetary value of your case.
Your Lawyer Will Collect Evidence While You Focus on Your Physical Recovery
When your lawyer prepares your case, they will track down evidence and identify lay and expert witnesses. They will also handle all case-related communication, including:
- Written correspondence
- Email exchanges
- Text messaging
- Information requests
- Demand letters
While your car accident attorney handles these, you can concentrate your time and energy on your physical and psychological recovery. You also get the peace of mind of knowing your recovery does not hinder filing your case within the allotted timeline.
The Lawyer You Contact Can Deal With the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters will not typically rush to compensate you after an accident. They will require proof of their policyholder’s actions and proof of your damages. Your lawyer will provide both. They will create and send a demand letter and field settlement offers.
Your lawyer will clarify how insurance settlements work in a personal injury case and make settlement recommendations based on the value of your case, but will not usurp your right to make a final settlement decision. They will explain the feasibility of each monetary offer and guide you toward making a well-informed decision.
Contacting a Lawyer Can Help You Understand Filing Deadlines
According to RCW § 4.16.080, accident victims generally have as little as three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. The same statute of limitations applies to wrongful death lawsuits if your loved one passed away in an auto accident.
If your lawsuit is not filed on time, you could unintentionally forfeit your right to file it at all. A lawyer can help you avoid this potentially costly delay. They can also accurately interpret the filing deadline based on the circumstances of your accident and details about the injured parties.
An Auto Accident Attorney Can Accurately Determine the Value of Your Car Accident Case
Your legal team will explain how much your car accident case is worth. You can request compensation for the following recoverable damages:
- Medical, therapy, and rehab bills
- Current and future lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Property damage or destruction
It can be easier than you think to unintentionally undervalue your recoverable damages after a car accident. A motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you avoid this costly consequence.
According to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) statistics, there have been nearly 49,000 car accidents in 2023. You can contact a lawyer who can help you recover damages after a negligence-based accident if you were a pedestrian, driver, or passenger. You may also want to contact a lawyer if your family lost a loved one in a recent vehicle collision.
When You Should Consider Contacting a Lawyer After a Car Accident
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. They can protect you from a speedy settlement offer—one that is made before all the bills and other documents that determine the value of your case are available. While a speedy settlement can be tempting, it can also be flawed, leaving you with a smaller settlement than you deserve.
Contacting a lawyer right away also means they can collect evidence while it is fresh and interview witnesses while their memories are vivid.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm After a Car Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision, you can pursue the at-fault driver for financial recovery. You may want to contact a lawyer after a car accident to accurately determine the value of your case and negotiate a monetary settlement.
Get a free review of your case and learn more about your right to financial compensation by contacting our car accident consultation team at Jackman Law Firm today.
