While the specifics of your automobile accident case will depend on how complex they are, lawyers can:
- Get in touch with the insurer of the other driver
- Get the evidence that you need to prove who was at fault for the accident
- Your medical records and bills can be organized
- Get missing records from your health care providers by contacting them
- Get to know your doctors so you can get the information you need to support your claim.
- You will need to organize and present the evidence necessary for proving liability and damages.
- To potentially lower the number of lien holders for your claim (such as workers’ compensation, disability, and health insurers), you can negotiate with them.
- Talk to the defense attorney about a satisfactory settlement.
Let’s have a closer look at these items.
Using The Other Driver’s Insurance
Your car accident lawyer will communicate with the Insurance Adjuster about any personal injury case. The adjuster controls the purse strings, which is why a plaintiff’s attorney needs to establish good communications with the adjuster and have a good relationship.
Obtaining Necessary Evidence Of Liability
A good lawyer will be able to help you gather all the evidence needed to prove liability in your car accident claim. Although you may already have photos of the accident scene taken, your lawyer will likely return to that scene with him/her to see how it looks. Although a picture might be worth a thousand words it is worth seeing the scene in action.
The lawyer will try to obtain all accident reports for the case. In addition, he will frequently speak with investigating officers and witnesses. Good lawyers will do everything possible to prove liability.
You Need A Good Lawyer To Represent You
However, it is not always possible to get records or bills from health care providers. While you technically own the records and have an absolute right, it’s not your priority to send health records to lawyers and patients.
Small doctors’ practices may not have sufficient staffing or time to respond to patient records requests promptly. Some procedures in large hospitals must be followed for them to respond to medical records requests. If you don’t follow their procedures (which are not always well-publicized), they won’t respond to any request.
If the health care provider fails to respond to the request within a reasonable time, the records could be incomplete. Any paralegal or secretary of a lawyer will tell that often they need to ask for the same records more times than once and that they need to continue following up with the provider.
It could be that the doctor did indeed not use the “magic word” of causation in his or her notes. For any type of personal injury claim to be successful, you need to be able to show, via medical evidence.
Tell Us About Your Disability, Injury, Or Physical Limitation.
It Was Caused By Negligence By The Defendant
Doctors are often reluctant to mention the causation or extent of the injury/disability in their medical records. In this instance, your lawyer will contact the doctor and request a letter detailing the opinion of the doctor that the accident caused you to be injured or disabled.
Negotiating For Lien Holders
If you received workers’ compensation benefits or any other type of insurance, the lien will attach to your claim. A lien means that the lien-holder is paid out before you are, regardless of any settlements or judgments. A good lawyer will work with you to reduce the lien holder’s lien. This is important work. Every dollar the lien-holder takes is one less dollar for you. Learn more about health provider liens in personal injury settlements.
Negotiating Between Insurers/Defendants
Negotiation requires special skills. A personal injury lawyer can always settle a car wreck case better than a layperson. A good lawyer understands the value of a case and can negotiate with clients to reach the best possible outcome.
When Can You Handle Your Car Accident Claim?
If you are not badly injured and can gather necessary evidence and documents as well and are ready and willing, you can manage your car accident claim yourself. You can’t replace a skilled attorney’s expertise. You can learn more about legal representation by reading our personal-injury reader survey.
If you have been in an auto accident and are looking for information on your options, the chat and case assessment tools can be used.