Accidents aren’t unprecedented nor are they uncommon. Everybody is at equal risk: pedestrians, car drivers, motorcycle drivers, and bicycle drivers. If you or somebody you know and love has been at the receiving end of accidents and injuries due to the fault of others (or the other party is at major fault and your fault is very less), you have a right to claim a settlement amount under the insurance policy of the guilty party. In case the other party doesn’t have insurance or that insurance cannot cover all your medical expenses, you can file a claim under your insurance policy.
Nevertheless, you have insurance and the other party has insurance too, most insurers aren’t willing to pay the entire (rightful) amount to cover your medical bills. Hence, legal guidance and representation are very necessary for accident victims. Auto accident attorneys at reputable firms handle all kinds of road accidents. The major cases of injuries these legal maestros handle include:
- Minor cuts and scrapes.
- Whiplash injuries.
- Fractures and ligament tears.
- Hip and shoulder displacement.
- Head trauma and spinal cord injury.
- Amputation and paralysis.
- Death.
Most of the accidents happen due to distracted driving and rash driving, overruling the traffic rules, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while texting. According to WTSC (Washington Traffic Safety Commission), even bad and bumpy roads, extreme weather conditions, and faulty car parts are the major causes behind road accidents.
No matter the category your accident comes under, no matter the extent of your injuries, a reputable attorney like this Spokane accident attorney will offer legal assistance in many ways as listed below.
- Reviewing and Studying the Case
Skilled lawyers learn with experience that no two accident cases can ever be the same. Hence, they always study every case they take very carefully. It helps them in understanding the role of their clients in the accident (whether their client too was responsible for the accident to an extent), the kind of policy that their client has, and much more.
- Collecting Evidence and Preparing the Case
Reputable accident lawyers build a case file by including a copy of the first police report that confirms that the accident happened. Strong pieces of evidence come in the form of pictures from the accident site, statements of the reporting officer, statements of the emergency response team, medical examination reports, and receipts of medical bills. Expert evaluation in cases of whiplash injuries is necessary.
- Filing a Claim at the Right Time
Once the case report is prepared with all the necessary documents, experienced lawyers don’t file the claim immediately. They wait until their clients make a maximum recovery. This is done to include all the additional medical costs for therapies that were needed to get back to normal and wages that were lost due to work absence.
- Representation in Court if Negotiations Fail
Finally, they start negotiating with the insurers. If an out-of-court settlement fails, they file a lawsuit in the court and represent their clients in front of a judge and jury.
Needless to say, getting an insurance claim can take months. Hence, the sooner you hire a reputable attorney, the sooner you can expect the settlement amount!