Being involved in a collision can be overwhelming, especially for those who have never filed a car accident claim. You may have been hit with high medical costs while you're unable to work and earn a paycheck.
Car accidents can be expensive but you can be compensated for all damages accrued. That is, if you take the right course of action with a strong legal advocate on your side. Putting an estimate on your claim can be difficult. It takes a great deal of investigation and accurately tallying up the damages.
Critical factors in your car accident claim
In order to pursue a successful claim, three critical factors come into play. These include:
- Investigating your crash. The chances of getting compensated are slim if you or someone on your behalf does not gather and preserve evidence from the accident. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to obtain a copy of the police report, hire a crash reconstruction expert to examine the crash scene, obtain surveillance video footage, speak to witnesses, get subpoenas for cellphone records and check the at-fault driver's social media posts.
- Determining an accurate value on your claim. You may be reimbursed for current and future medical expenses, lost wages and damage to or loss of property. The value of your claim can go beyond that. If you suffered ongoing pain, mental anguish, suffering or loss of enjoyment of life, you may be entitled to additional compensation. Furthermore, your attorney can pursue punitive damages against the at-fault driver if your crash was caused by malicious behavior or gross negligence.
- Negotiating for a settlement. After determining how much you may be eligible for, your attorney will need to negotiate with the other driver's insurance company for a fair and complete settlement. Insurance companies can be stubborn, so this can take some time. In most cases, a settlement can be reached without having to go to trial, but this can still take months. If your case goes to trial because a settlement couldn't be agreed upon, your case could take several months or years before a verdict is reached.
How should I get started on my claim?
The chances of getting compensated are slim if you or someone on your behalf does not gather and preserve evidence from the accident. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to obtain a copy of the police report, hire a crash reconstruction expert to examine the crash scene, obtain surveillance video footage, speak to witnesses, get subpoenas for cellphone records and check the at-fault driver's social media posts.
After you have met with your doctor, speak to an experienced Texas attorney as soon as possible. Attorney John R. Solis has successfully represented thousands of injured motorists and their families in the greater Laredo area. To find out how he can help you, simply fill out the online contact form and schedule your free case evaluation.