How an Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help You

A car accident can derail your plans, and in severe cases, it can change your entire life. The immediate aftermath of a Chicago car accident can be overwhelming, leaving you to figure out if your car is drivable, what type of medical care you need, and how to get everything paid for.

During all of this, you may not even think about hiring a lawyer. However, hiring an auto accident attorney can benefit you in several important ways. Learn more now, and when you’re ready to discuss your claim in greater detail, contact Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers today.

What an auto accident lawyer really does

An auto accident attorney represents victims of accidents caused by another party’s negligence. Their role in this process goes far beyond writing a letter to the insurance company or making a case in court. In fact, many cases never make it to trial, but the work your lawyer does behind the scenes can directly impact how much compensation you ultimately receive. A strong car accident lawyer will:

• Investigate the crash
• Calculate the value of your injuries
• Delve into the at-fault party’s insurance coverage and limits
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
• Prepare your case for trial if negotiations are unsuccessful

An auto accident attorney strives to keep you from being underpaid or, even worse, getting blamed for the accident and walking away with nothing.

Investigating your accident and preserving evidence

A big part of your attorney’s job is investigating your accident, determining what exactly happened, and preserving evidence. Cases are built on evidence, and without it, insurance companies may dispute liability or undervalue your claim.

Your attorney may begin by reviewing the police report, examining your photos and videos of the accident scene, speaking with eyewitnesses, and evaluating your medical records. This gives them the information they need to start establishing fault, which is a crucial part of any Chicago auto accident claim.

Determining who is liable

Getting compensation from an insurance company whose job is saving money is an uphill battle, and that’s why proving liability is so important. You have to prove that the other party had a duty of care to you, failed to fulfill that duty, and caused you injury as a result. Your lawyer will use the evidence available to link the at-fault party directly to the crash and your injuries, making it harder for the insurance company to deny their client’s role in your losses.

In most cases, the liable party is a driver, although there are many cases where both drivers share liability to some degree. In other cases, liable parties may include vehicle manufacturers, repair shops, government agencies, a commercial trucking company, or a rideshare company.

Dealing with insurance companies, so you don’t have to

Many accident victims will come right out and tell you that dealing with the other party’s insurance company is the worst part of handling a car accident claim. Adjusters may pretend to be your friend while trying to obtain information from you, and they often present a settlement as if they are doing you a favor, even though the offer is likely less than you really deserve. If you deal with the insurance company on your own, you should expect pressure to accept a settlement, requests for recorded statements, outright denial of your injuries, and ongoing requests for unnecessary documentation.

When you bring in an attorney, they can handle all communication with the insurance company. You don’t have to worry about implicating yourself or trying to figure out what they are really asking.

Calculating your claim and negotiating

After your Chicago auto accident lawyer has figured out what your claim is worth and built the foundation of your case, they will start negotiating with the insurance company. This involves sending a demand letter outlining the reasons for the requested amount. During multiple rounds of negotiations, they will likely get closer to a settlement offer that actually reflects what you deserve.

People often assume they can negotiate on their own behalf, and legally, you absolutely have the right to do that. But remember that insurance adjusters are excellent negotiators. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and to do that, they pay as little as possible when their clients cause accidents. They spend a lot of time and money learning how to drive down claims to the lowest possible amount, and it’s very difficult for a regular person to combat that level of experience, knowledge, and manipulation. Your personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate under these conditions and what insurance companies look for.

Going to court

While the majority of personal injury claims do end in settlements, that isn’t the case for every Chicago car accident. If liability is in dispute or the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate in good faith, you may have to sue the at-fault party. This is a long and involved process. Even if a lawsuit is filed, that doesn’t mean your case will actually end up in front of a judge. A settlement may still occur at any time, and a skilled personal injury lawyer will know how to use newly gathered evidence as leverage during negotiations.

Start your case with the team at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers

Our personal injury team is here to help you fight for fair and full compensation after a Chicago car crash. Find out how we can help you and what your next steps are. Contact us online or call us today.