Personal Injury Lawyer Duluth goal is to protect their clients from insurance companies who are incentivized to reject or lowball claims. They will work diligently to gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
They will consider your current and future medical treatment costs as well as other losses resulting from the accident. They will also examine whether those involved abided by traffic laws and review any police reports.
Identifying the Defendant
If you are injured in a car accident, an attorney will work to identify who is at fault. This might involve reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and looking at social media. In a hit-and-run case, an attorney will need to use several methods to help you find the defendant, such as posting information about the accident on social media and asking for the public’s help in finding the driver.
It is also important to consider whether more than one party may be responsible. If multiple drivers caused the crash, an attorney can file a lawsuit against them all. They will help to prove that each driver breached their duty of care by engaging in dangerous behaviors that contributed to the accident.
The extent of your injuries is another factor that will influence the amount of damages you can claim. Serious injuries, like brain or spinal cord damage, can greatly increase your compensation. An attorney will ask about your medical needs to determine the full range of your damages, including medical bills, loss of income, and ongoing care.
In some cases, you might be able to sue a governmental entity rather than a private individual. For example, if you were struck by a city utility truck while crossing the street, you might be able to sue the city for failing to maintain its roads and sidewalks. An experienced legal advocate will know how to sue a government entity and the unique issues that might arise in such a case.
Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible for your claim and will employ various tactics to do so. An attorney will work to make sure you do not get shortchanged during the settlement negotiations. They will review the policy limits of the at-fault driver and assess your own coverage to figure out how much you might be able to claim.
The value of your claim is based on several factors, including who was at fault, the extent of your injuries, property damage, and how much time you had to miss from work. In some cases, you might be able claim punitive damages for especially egregious behavior by the defendant.
Collecting Evidence
Documentation is a vital part of any accident claim. From police reports to witness statements and medical records, there is often plenty of evidence that can be used to support your case for compensation.
A lawyer will work to gather as much documentation as possible, including physical evidence like skid marks and vehicle damages. They may also visit the scene of the accident to collect additional information, such as photographs or surveillance footage. In some cases, your attorney might hire professional experts to analyze the incident and provide a detailed account of how it happened.
Medical records are another important piece of evidence for a personal injury claim, as they help to establish causation. They also serve to prove that you have suffered injuries as a result of the incident, which is required in order to receive full compensation for your losses. Your lawyer can obtain copies of your medical records, X-rays and imaging tests from the doctor or hospital, which they will then use to calculate the amount of compensation you should receive for your injuries.
Bills and other financial documents are also helpful in proving the total cost of your losses, which can include past and future medical treatment, lost wages, property damage and more. They will also work with an auto evaluator or mechanic to get a detailed assessment of your vehicle damage and related expenses.
Depending on the nature of your accident, there may be other types of evidence that could support your claim, such as CCTV footage, expert testimony and even a recreation of the accident by accident reconstruction specialists. Your attorney will consider all available options for obtaining the appropriate proof and then take steps to ensure that this information is admissible in court. If necessary, they will also engage in any other necessary legal proceedings to protect your rights. This might involve securing records from other entities, such as local governments or public transportation companies, as well as ensuring that the correct procedures are followed when dealing with these kinds of parties. This will make it more likely that your lawsuit will be successful and that you will receive the compensation you deserve.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may need to negotiate with multiple parties. For example, if you are involved in a crash with a rideshare vehicle, commercial truck, or public transportation, there could be multiple liable parties. A car accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed and navigate these situations.
Once your attorney has gathered the necessary evidence, they can begin negotiations with the insurance company. They can help you understand what to expect from the process and negotiate a fair settlement for your damages. The first step in this process is determining the total amount of your losses. This requires a thorough evaluation of your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other related costs. This is often done with the help of trusted medical and economic experts.
After an initial assessment of your losses, your attorney can then make a demand for compensation. They will provide the insurance company with documentation such as medical records, police reports, repair estimates, photos of the damage, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and income statements to demonstrate your losses. This information helps strengthen your claim and provides the information necessary to maximize your settlement.
Once the insurance company has received this documentation, they will usually offer a settlement. However, this initial offer is often far below what you are entitled to receive. Your attorney can examine this offer and submit a counteroffer, which may be followed by additional discussions to reach an acceptable settlement.
If you are unable to reach an agreement, your lawyer will be prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. This will send a clear message to the insurance company that you are serious about your demands and will not allow them to get away with underpaying your accident claims.
While it may be tempting to take any settlement offered by the insurance company, this is a big mistake. Insurers are known for trying to take advantage of people in need, and you will not be able to get the compensation you need without the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.
Getting You the Compensation You Need
Whether you were injured by a private driver or a commercial driver, an accident lawyer is in the business of helping victims get the compensation they deserve. They understand the nuances of insurance laws, and they know how to build a case with strong evidence to help you prove liability. They also have access to a network of experts, including accident reconstruction engineers, medical professionals, and financial analysts to support your claim.
They have an eye for detail to spot important evidence and document all of the losses that you have suffered. They will examine your medical records and other documentation, and they may even visit the crash site and photograph the scene. They will also speak to witnesses and review police reports, vehicle damage assessments, and any other relevant information.
Your attorney will use the evidence that they have gathered to present a compelling argument in your favor to get you the damages that you need for your injuries, expenses, and future loss of income. This can include your medical bills, lost wages from missing work, property damage to your car, and other related expenses.
In a complex case, your lawyer will consider all of the liable parties to be sure that you are compensated for all of your losses. This may include the at-fault driver, their employer if they were working for the company when the accident occurred, and a vehicle manufacturer if a defective product caused your injury.
While you are recovering from your injuries, an accident lawyer will take on the task of communicating with the insurance companies and anyone else who is trying to undermine or diminish your valid claims. This will save you from having to deal with these stressful and frustrating conversations, and it will protect you from compromising your claim by saying something that can be used against you.