Truck owners and operators have to take steps to prevent their rigs from getting involved in an accident. Two of the most important steps to take include following federal driving regulations and performing regular maintenance on their 18-wheelers. Another important precautionary step involves keeping a truck accident attorney on file. Keeping a truck accident attorney on file requires hiring a lawyer on retainer. A retainer arrangement gives an owner or operator quick access to legal representation in case a truck driver gets involved in a collision.
Why Do I Need to Have a Truck Accident Attorney on File? Keeping a truck accident attorney on file dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to hire a lawyer to represent you during a truck accident case. In addition to quick access to legal representation, truckers benefit from keeping a lawyer on file for several additional reasons. Conduct a Thorough Investigation The key to gaining approval for an insurance claim, as well as winning a favorable legal judgment, involves gathering sufficient physical evidence to support an insurance claim and a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. To collect persuasive physical evidence, your truck accident attorney conducts a thorough investigation that includes gathering physical evidence such as traffic and/or security camera footage. Your attorney also reviews the official police report and interviews witnesses as part of a detailed investigation. Interacts With the Insurance Adjuster A truck accident lawyer from Schiff & Associates helps you file a convincing insurance claim, as well as acts as an intermediary to prevent an insurance adjuster from taking advantage of you. By working with an experienced truck accident attorney, you can considerably reduce the amount of time it takes to get an insurance claim settled. You also can focus your attention on other issues, such as recovering from any injuries sustained as the result of a truck accident. Submit a Reasonable Request for Compensation One of the most common reasons for truck accident claims to come back denied is an unreasonable request for compensation. By hiring an experienced truck accident attorney, you submit a fair value for compensation that leads to the approval of your claim. Your truck accident lawyer considers the value of economic damages, such as the cost of medical bills and repairing property damage. Then, your lawyer calculates a value for non-economic damages, which can include treating the symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Prove Another Party Committed Negligence To win a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages, your truck accident attorney must prove the presence of the four elements of negligence. First, your lawyer must show another party owed you a duty of care to prevent a truck accident. Second, another party must have committed at least one act that violated the duty of care doctrine. Third, you must prove that the truck accident caused your injuries. Fourth, the truck accident has to generate financial losses, such as medical bills and payments to repair the damage done to your rig. Negotiate a Settlement Hiring a truck accident attorney provides you with an experienced negotiator to represent your financial interests for an insurance claim, as well as a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. Negotiations start with your lawyer submitting the initial offer, which the other party accepts or rejects. If the other party rejects the initial offer, you might receive a counteroffer or a certified letter that requests both parties move on to the next step of the insurance claim and/or civil lawsuit process. Several counteroffers can follow the initial offer until both parties resolve their differences or decide to take another action.
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An average of nearly 12 million auto crashes happen each year in the United States, with roughly one-third of the accidents causing some type of vehicle damage. Although the majority of vehicle collisions cause what is called fender benders that result in minor property damage and minimal injuries, more than 42,000 Americans die each year because of getting involved in motor vehicle crashes. The numbers do not favor a registered driver in the United States, as the typical motorist can expect to get involved in a car accident one time every six years.
With the data pointing towards the inevitable car accident, do you know how to handle the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision? Calling 911, receiving medical care, and exchanging information with other drivers and passengers represent three common steps to follow after a car accident. Another common step involves contacting a state-licensed car accident attorney. Reaching out to a lawyer is important for many reasons, such as receiving legal support when the time comes to file an insurance claim to recover the financial losses associated with an auto crash. What Are the 4 Most Common Reasons Policyholders File Auto Claims? Filing a car accident insurance claim can turn into an exercise in frustration. From submitting the proper documents to monitoring the progress of a claim, you might find yourself out of money unless you receive the strong legal support of an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in handling car accident cases. Depending on the type of insurance coverage, you might not be eligible to receive compensation to cover medical and property damage bills. Let’s look at four auto insurance claim problems that you should take to a car accident attorney. Rear-End Collision A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of fender-bender car accidents. They often take place at stop signs and traffic signals. Although damage to the rear of your automobile might be minor, you can still sustain one or more serious injuries. Two of the injuries sustained as the result of a rear-end collision typically take time to develop. The body motion generated because of a rear-end collision can cause whiplash and/or a concussion. Taking a rear-end collision insurance claim to a car accident lawyer ensures you receive just compensation for diagnosing and treating delayed injuries such as whiplash and a concussion. Damage Sustained While Parked After an evening that included a movie and a meal at your favorite restaurant, you return to your vehicle and notice another driver has made an impact on the car. If you pay for comprehensive car insurance coverage, you should consider hiring a car accident attorney to help you file a persuasive auto insurance claim. Even without the support of witness statements, you can recover your financial losses by filing a parked car insurance claim. Your lawyer gathers physical evidence, which includes any traffic and/or security camera footage. Single Car Accident Single-car accidents produce many of the same car insurance claim problems as claims involving a parked motor vehicle. The lack of witness accounts to support your claim represents the most formidable insurance claim challenge to overcome. If you made an impact with a stationary object like a sign or fence post, you have the right to receive compensation to cover the costs associated with the property damage. However, receiving insurance compensation after a single car accident requires the legal support of a car accident attorney. Auto Collision That Involves Multiple Drivers One of the most important responsibilities of a car accident attorney is to gather physical evidence to bolster an insurance claim. Collecting physical evidence is especially important for receiving compensation for a multiple-driver car accident. Your car accident lawyer conducts an investigation to determine which of the multiple parties caused the collision. This requires obtaining physical evidence, as well as interviewing witnesses that were not involved in the car accident. If you have sustained one or more injuries as the result of a car accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation by filing an insurance claim, as well as a personal injury lawsuit. For both types of claims, you can receive a favorable decision that helps you pay for the costs associated with medical treatments and the repairs done to property damage. However, your car accident lawyer also might be able to negotiate a settlement, which allows you to avoid the costly and time-consuming litigation process. A settlement pays for the same costs associated with a favorable legal judgment and an approved insurance claim.
How Should I Respond After a Car Accident? How you react after a car accident determines the outcome of negotiations for a settlement. The key is to submit overwhelming evidence that another party caused the accident that led to the development of your injuries. First, you should call 911 to activate the local emergency response teams, such as paramedics and law enforcement personnel. Unless you got involved in a minor fender bender, law enforcement personnel conduct an investigation that ends with the submission of the official police report. The official police report represents the most important type of evidence submitted to both insurance companies and the judge hearing a personal injury lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. After the emergency response teams arrive at the scene of the car accident, receiving medical care is the next step on your to-do list. Even if you sustained what appears to be minor injuries, you should receive a thorough medical examination to ensure you have not sustained an injury that develops delayed symptoms, such as whiplash and/or a concussion. After receiving medical care, contact a state-licensed personal injury attorney who specializes in handling car accident cases. Your lawyer gathers additional physical evidence, as well as interviews witnesses to support your insurance and legal claims. How Does My Car Accident Attorney Negotiate a Settlement? Your car accident lawyer follows a few steps to reach a favorable settlement with another party after a car accident. Calculate a Fair Compensation Value Calculating a fair value for a car accident settlement involves factoring in both tangible and intangible costs. Tangible costs leave a paper trail, with documents verifying the costs associated with medical care and repairing property damages. Intangible expenses do not leave a paper trail, such as the costs associated with developing emotional trauma symptoms like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Also referred to as non-monetary damages, your car accident attorney calculates the fair value of intangible expenses by using a formula that factors in the costs associated with tangible expenses. Send a Demand Letter A demand letter is a formal document that initiates the negotiation process with an insurance company and the lawyer representing the other party. The demand letter includes a detailed description of the car accident, which includes a copy of the official police report and the physical evidence collected at the scene of the collision. It also should include witness statements and contact information. Another section of the demand letter explains how your attorney calculated the proposed settlement value. Negotiations After submitting the initial offer found in the demand letter, the other party can either accept or reject the proposed value for compensation. If the other party rejects the initial offer, you might receive a counteroffer or a request to move on to the next step in the claim process. For a civil lawsuit that requests monetary damages, the next step is to take your case to the trial phase of the litigation process. If an insurance company rejects a settlement offer, your attorney can file an appeal to receive compensation. Car accident attorneys provide several types of legal support for clients. They conduct thorough investigations that include gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Part of the evidence-gathering process involves reading the official police report, which represents the most influential document used by judges and insurance companies to issue decisions on financial claims. If you get involved in a car crash, a personal injury attorney who specializes in handling auto collision cases acts as an intermediary between you and the insurance adjuster processing your claim. You receive legal support during a civil trial, but your attorney should try to avoid a costly and time-consuming trial by trying to negotiate a settlement with the other party.
One cause of car accidents concerns the commission of one or more acts of road rage. If you sustained injuries and/or property damage as the result of road rage, you should contact an experienced and state-licensed car accident attorney. However, if you received a ticket or worse, a summons to appear in court because you committed one or more acts of road rage, then you should speak with a criminal defense lawyer. Although most states have not defined road rage as a specific crime, an act or acts of road rage that causes harm to another party might justify the filing of criminal charges such as attempted vehicular assault. What Are the Most Common Types of Road Rage Behaviors? A report released by AAA Exchange describes the different types of behavior that define road rage. One of the most common forms of road rage behavior is verbalizing anger while driving a motor vehicle. The verbalization of anger can consist of yelling, screaming, and/or cursing at another driver. Physical actions like banging on a dashboard and slamming the steering wheel constitute acts of road rage as well. Another common type of road rage behavior can lead to another party sustaining one or more injuries and property damage. This type of road rage behavior involves an angry motorist who performs dangerous vehicle maneuvers, such as colliding with another car. What are the Most Common Factors That Contribute to Road Rage? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that a driver can develop anger for one of several reasons. First, a motorist who had a bad day can quickly turn volatile when confronted with traffic congestion. For every minute that passes while stuck in traffic, the festering anger becomes stronger. Second, drivers that have time issues can flip on the anger switch when they are delayed while operating a motor vehicle. Third, the veil of anonymity leads many motorists to believe they can get away with unacceptable behavior. Finally, selfishness plays a role in some drivers developing road rage behavior. The Bottom Line: Road Rage Can Produce Serious Legal Consequences Road rage charges can lead to legal consequences that can negatively impact you for years to come. This is especially true if you caused another party physical harm and/or damaged personal property. If you face one or more charges of road rage, as well as related criminal charges, act with a sense of urgency by contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney. You have sustained multiple injuries as the result of a boating accident. Rapidly mounting medical bills and costly boat repair receipts have put you in a deep financial hole. As you search for a personal injury attorney to help recover your financial losses, you discover that some car accident attorneys also practice personal injury law by representing clients involved in boating accident cases.
Will a car accident attorney handle a boating accident with injuries? The question should not be “Will a car accident attorney handle a boating accident with injuries.” Instead, the question is “Is a car accident attorney qualified to represent me when filing a boating accident insurance claim, as well as a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages?” Hiring a personal injury lawyer who specializes in handling boating accident cases is important for two reasons. First, your attorney must possess a deep understanding of the maritime and boat safety laws enacted by the state where you live. Each state enforces different maritime and boat safety laws. For example, although Texas and Florida share many of the same maritime and boat safety laws, each state has passed a few statutes that address different legal issues. Second, your attorney also must have in-depth knowledge of the type of boats that got involved in the boating accident. You also should search for a personal injury lawyer who has compiled a proven record of success. Determine the success rate of filed insurance claims, as well as the number of favorable legal judgments that awarded compensation to clients. A car accident attorney who occasionally takes on a boating accident case is not a viable candidate to represent you when filing an insurance claim and/or a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. What Do Car Accident and Boating Accident Attorneys Share in Common?Despite a few differences in knowledge requirements and case responsibilities, car accident and boating accident attorneys share several similar job duties. Conduct a Thorough Investigation Both car and boating accident attorneys conduct detailed investigations to determine the best course of action. Both types of cases require reading the official law enforcement agency report, which should include a description of what caused the accident. The most common causes of both car and boating accidents are distractions, reckless maneuvers, and operating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Both types of lawyers also gather physical evidence and interview witnesses. Calculate a Fair Value for Compensation Personal injury attorneys calculate a fair value for compensation by considering three types of compensation awarded for a civil case: Economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Economic damages cover the costs associated with tangible expenses, such as medical bills and property repair receipts. Non-economic damages cover the costs associated with pain and suffering, which includes developing the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a type of compensation that is not awarded to pay for a plaintiff’s expenses, punitive damages punish the defendant for committing one or more acts of negligence. Prove Negligence To prove another party committed at least one act of negligence for a boating accident, your attorney must prove the presence of four legal elements. Duty of care is a doctrine that holds all parties responsible for operating their boats safely. A breach of the duty of care doctrine represents one or more negligent acts committed by another party. Causation is an element that requires your personal injury lawyer to prove the boating accident caused your injuries. Finally, you have to prove you sustained financial losses as the result of the boating accident. A law enforcement officer has pulled you over for speeding and the resulting ticket puts you precariously close to exceeding the number of points allowed per year for moving violations. Should you turn to a car accident attorney to dispute the traffic citation on your behalf?
The answer is no if you did not get involved in a vehicle collision. Car accident attorneys help clients recover the financial losses associated with getting involved in an auto crash. For a speeding ticket, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in helping clients beat traffic citations. However, if you received a speeding ticket as part of a car accident investigation conducted by law enforcement personnel, hiring a car accident attorney can help you dispute the traffic ticket, which in turn strengthens an insurance claim and a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. What Does a Traffic Citation Means for a Car Accident Case? Receiving a traffic ticket after an auto crash does not automatically make you guilty of causing the accident, but it does tip the scale of justice in the other motorist’s favor. The other driver’s attorney might try to hold you legally liable for causing the collision because you violated one or more traffic laws. Without a car accident attorney providing legal support, you have little, if any chance of getting an insurance claim approved or receiving a favorable legal judgment for compensation. How Should I Contest a Traffic Violation? The procedure for fighting a traffic citation differs from state to state. You should discover the procedure to follow in your state by reading the instructions printed on the back of the traffic ticket. Your car accident attorney can fight the traffic ticket in court, and if the police officer who issued the traffic citation does not show up in court, the judge hearing your case might dismiss it. Another way to fight a traffic citation received after an auto crash is to prove the traffic violation did not cause or contribute to the collision. If you live in a state that follows the comparative negligence doctrine, your attorney can argue that the other party should assume a percentage of the fault for causing the accident. For example, let’s assume you received a speeding ticket after a car accident. However, the other driver also committed a traffic violation by sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle. The judge hearing your case might assign each of you 20 percent of the blame for causing the motor vehicle collision. If the judge awards you $50,000 in monetary damages, the net compensation received declines by 20 percent to $40,000. What If My Traffic Citation Is Not Related to the Car Accident? Government safety agencies enforce traffic laws with the intent to minimize the number of auto crashes. For instance, establishing speed limits gives motorists more time to react to changing road and traffic conditions. Speed limit laws also minimize the power of vehicle impacts. However, other types of traffic laws have nothing to do with preventing motor vehicle collisions. Maybe you committed an administrative violation by not getting your registration renewed before the deadline. Any citations not related to a car accident should not be a factor considered by an insurance adjuster or a judge hearing a personal injury case. The Bottom Line: A Traffic Citation Does Not End Your Quest for Compensation Receiving a traffic citation after a car accident does not result in a determination of fault. If you got involved in a motor vehicle collision and then received a traffic ticket after the crash, you should act with a sense of urgency by contacting a state-licensed car accident attorney. Make sure you never admit guilt to any party, including the responding police officer and the insurance adjuster processing your claim. Bicyclists have become just as common as motorists on our nation’s roads. Many municipalities have designated lanes for bicyclists to use exclusively. The rapid increase in the number of bicyclists corresponds to an increase in the number of car accidents that injure bicyclists. If you are a bicyclist who sustained one or more injuries as the result of a car accident, should you call a car accident attorney for legal support?
The answer is yes, but contact a car accident attorney who specializes in handling cases involving an injured bicyclist. How Does a Car Accident Attorney Provide Legal Support for a Bicyclist? Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer who specializes in handling cases involving an injured bicyclist provides you with several types of legal support. Conducts a Thorough Investigation For most types of car accident cases, law enforcement officers respond to the scene of an accident to secure it and then conduct an investigation. Your car accident attorney conducts a separate investigation that includes gathering additional physical evidence, as well as interviewing witnesses that describe what transpired before, during, and after the car accident. Your lawyer also reviews the official police report. Calculates a Reasonable Value for Compensation One of the most common reasons why insurance adjusters deny claims and judges dismiss lawsuits concerns the submission of an unreasonable value for compensation. Your car accident attorney adds up the costs of medical bills and repairs performed to fix property damage. If you missed work because of your injuries, you might qualify for compensation that covers lost wages. Non-economic damages such as the costs associated with pain and suffering often are more difficult to calculate. Interacts with the Insurance Adjuster Many insurance companies love to deal with policyholders that do not retain legal representation. If you do not hire an attorney to help you file an insurance claim, the adjuster might deny a valid claim or approve a claim that is worth much less than what you deserve in compensation. A car accident attorney who specializes in providing legal support for bicyclists also acts as a buffer between you and the insurance adjuster. Your lawyer monitors the progress of your claim to ensure it receives the consideration it deserves. Negotiates a Settlement Your car accident attorney has two opportunities to negotiate a settlement. First, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Second, to avoid a costly and time-consuming civil trial, your lawyer can negotiate a settlement with the other party’s attorney. This typically takes place during the discovery phase of the litigation process, which is when both parties share physical evidence and the statements provided by witnesses. Negotiations start when your attorney submits an offer and negotiations can continue through several rounds of counteroffers. File a Civil Lawsuit As a bicyclist who sustained one or more injuries as the result of a car accident, you might have a strong enough case to prove another party committed at least one act of negligence. If your car accident attorney can show the other party committed one or more acts of negligence, you might have enough physical evidence to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. Not only does your attorney submit the proper documents with your personal injury lawsuit, but your lawyer also helps you file a personal injury lawsuit long before the expiration of the statute of limitations. The Bottom Line If you are a bicyclist who sustained one or more injuries as the result of a car accident, a car accident attorney can help you recover the financial losses associated with diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating your injuries. Some of the factors that define a highly-rated car accident attorney include experience, responsive communication, and a proven record of success. If you get involved in a car accident, you have to follow a few steps to determine whether you receive compensation to recover the financial losses associated with medical bills, property damages, and possibly lost wages. The first thing to do involves calling 911 to activate the emergency response system. Next, you should receive prompt treatment for your injuries. The longer you wait to receive medical care after a car accident, the more likely the insurance company you have to process a claim with might consider your injuries not serious enough to warrant compensation.
The third item on your to-do list after a vehicle collision is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer to help you determine whether another party should assume fault for causing the auto crash. How Does My Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Resolve a Fault Dispute? The most contentious issue between all parties involved in a car accident concerns determining which party or parties should assume fault for causing the collision. A car accident attorney helps you resolve a fault dispute in the following ways. Interacts with the Insurance Company Insurance companies love dealing with policyholders that do not retain legal counsel when filing a claim. If you do not hire an experienced car accident lawyer to help you file a persuasive insurance claim, the insurance company might deny a valid claim or approve a claim for a value that is far below the compensation that you deserve. Working with a car accident attorney ensures the insurance company does not falsely accuse you of causing the auto crash. Your lawyer also monitors your claim to ensure it receives the prompt attention that it deserves. Gather Physical Evidence The law enforcement personnel responding to the car accident conduct an investigation that leads to the filing of the official police report. Inside the police report, your attorney should find information that describes what caused the accident, as well as a determination as to which party, if any, should assume legal liability for committing one or more acts of negligence. Your car accident attorney also conducts a thorough separate investigation to uncover more physical evidence. One of the most trusted types of physical evidence is the footage captured by a nearby traffic and/or security camera. Interview Witnesses Witness accounts alone do not provide enough evidence to determine which party should assume fault for causing a motor vehicle collision. However, witness statements provide legal support for what happened before, during, and after the auto crash. Your car accident attorney needs to interview witnesses as close to the date of the vehicle collision as possible to receive the most accurate accounts. What Are the Four Elements of Proving Negligence? A car accident attorney resolves a fault dispute by proving the presence of the four elements of negligence. First, your lawyer must establish the other party owed you a duty of care to protect you against sustaining injuries. Second, you must demonstrate the other party breached the duty of care doctrine by committing one or more acts of negligence. Third, the car accident must have caused your injuries and finally, your injuries generated financial losses. The aftermath of a car accident can put you under incredible pressure. Not only do you have to receive medical treatment for your injuries, but eventually, you have to address the costs associated with medical bills and repairing the damage done to your vehicle and other types of property. You have to gather and organize persuasive physical evidence to file an insurance claim and if another party committed one or more acts of negligence, a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages.
Add on top to the typical responsibilities of dealing with the aftermath of a vehicle collision is the fact that you have been charged with an accident. If you were charged with an accident, here’s how a car accident attorney will help. Conduct a Thorough Investigation An experienced car accident attorney knows how to collect the type of evidence that can exonerate you of all charges and possibly discover that the other party committed at least one act of negligence. Most car accidents require the presence of a law enforcement agency to conduct a separate investigation, as well as secure the accident scene to protect other drivers and passengers. Photographs of all vehicles involved, as well as images of the accident scene, can lead an investigating officer to determine the cause of the vehicle collision. However, your lawyer can strengthen your case by acquiring traffic camera footage captured at the scene of the accident. Interview Witnesses One of your most important responsibilities after an auto crash is to obtain the names and contact information of every witness to hand over to your car accident attorney. Your lawyer interviews each witness to determine whether there is enough legal support to back the physical evidence collected. Witness accounts help describe what happened before, during, and after the car accident, as well as explain in detail the road and weather conditions at the time of the collision. Interact with the Insurance Company Dealing with an insurance company following a car accident can be an exercise in frustration. If the insurance company processing your claim discovers you were charged with the accident, the likelihood of you receiving compensation dramatically falls. Many insurance companies like to take advantage of policyholders who do not retain legal representation or hire an attorney, yet file an insurance claim without any legal support. An experienced attorney can help you demonstrate that you did not commit an act of negligence that caused the vehicle collision. Prove the Other Party Committed at Least One Act of Negligence If the physical evidence gathered at the scene of the auto crash and witness accounts verify your version of events, your lawyer might be able to turn around your charge of causing the accident by proving the other party should be held legally liable for your injuries. Proving negligence requires demonstrating the presence of four elements, which are a duty of care, breaching the duty of care doctrine, causation, and financial losses. If you can prove the other party committed one or more acts of negligence, you might have a strong enough case to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. The Bottom Line If you have been charged with an accident, act with a sense of urgency by hiring an experienced car accident attorney. Without legal representation, you might lose more than the financial losses that are associated with lost wages, medical bills, and the cost of repairing property damage. As a victim of a car accident, you must follow a series of steps to improve your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve to pay off medical bills. You also need money to pay for property damage and the income lost because your injuries forced you out of work.
The first step involves calling 911 to alert the nearest law enforcement agency as to where the car accident took place. Law enforcement officers arrive at the accident scene to secure the area, as well as conduct a thorough investigation that leads to the filing of the official police report. Next, you should receive medical care to treat, as well as develop a plan to rehabilitate your injuries. The third step involves obtaining the contact information of witnesses and taking photos of the accident scene to acquire persuasive physical evidence. Finally, you should schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury attorney to prepare an insurance claim and determine whether you have a strong enough case to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. With bills piling up fast and no income coming in to pay the bills, how long does it take for a car accident attorney to get results? The answer is it depends on one or more of the following factors. Time It Takes to Complete an Investigation Unless you got involved in a minor fender bender, a law enforcement agency conducts an extensive investigation that helps your personal injury lawyer discover two important answers. The official police report defines the cause of the car accident and whether another party should assume legal liability for causing you harm. Although the investigation conducted by the appropriate law enforcement agency should not take more than a couple of days, filing the official police report can take several days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of your case. Processing an Insurance Claim Before you contact an insurance company, you should first speak with a state-licensed personal injury lawyer to receive advice on how to file the most convincing claim. Insurance companies prefer to deal with policyholders who do not retain legal representation. The more complicated the vehicle collision, the longer it takes for an insurance adjuster to issue a decision regarding a claim. One of the most important reasons to hire a car accident lawyer concerns the tendency of insurance adjusters to delay processing claims. With an experienced personal injury attorney providing legal support, you should receive a decision on your claim in a timely manner. Unless you need to file an appeal to overturn a denied claim, you should get approved for compensation no longer than two months after filing your claim. The Litigation Process If your personal injury attorney can prove the presence of the four elements of negligence, you might have a strong enough case to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. The litigation process can drag on for several months or even longer if the judicial docket is backlogged with pending lawsuits. However, your car accident lawyer can ask the other party to negotiate a settlement, which can significantly decrease the amount of time it takes for your attorney to get results. Your lawyer submits a reasonable offer that the other party can accept or reject. If the other party rejects your initial offer, you might receive a counteroffer or both parties agree to prepare for the trial phase of the litigation process. |
AuthorSince 1982, the attorneys of Schiff & Associates have provided our clients with quality legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. Our clients benefit from the combined skills of a powerful legal team. Archives
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