After being involved in a motor vehicle collision, you may be eligible to file a legal claim and recover significant financial compensation to cover the cost of damaged vehicles, medical bills, and other expenses. If a negligent person caused you to sustain an injury or property damage, it is critical to pursue financial recovery.
Many people wonder whether they need the help of a car accident lawyer to get the damages they need to recover. While it’s not a legal requirement to hire an attorney, it is a good idea. A car accident lawyer can use the available evidence in your case to pursue an effective claim and win what you are owed. Most claimants can secure much more money with the help of a knowledgeable legal professional.
To file a successful legal claim, you may need to prove that the other party was negligent. This can be difficult without the proper legal experience and specialized knowledge. For this reason, it’s best to hire a car accident lawyer to represent your best interests.
When you need the most accomplished tort attorneys in the country, reach out to the team at Morgan & Morgan. Our skilled legal professionals will gladly provide you with a free no-obligation case evaluation. We will help you explore your legal options at no cost to you. Complete the simple Morgan and Morgan form online to arrange your free meeting today.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
When you hire a skilled car accident lawyer, they will handle many of the complex legal requirements in your case. No victim of a motor vehicle collision should pay out-of-pocket for any costs resulting from their accident, and a reputable lawyer can ensure that you recover your costs.
The accomplished car accident lawyers at Morgan & Morgan will oversee the following when we take your case:
- Collecting relevant evidence to bolster your case
- Speaking with eyewitnesses to the accident
- Determining relevant state laws and statutes
- Speaking with your physician about any injuries
- Obtaining police accident reports and medical records
- Negotiating with insurance providers or other relevant parties
- Consulting with collision specialists and experts
- Filing a lawsuit if needed
These are only a few examples of how a car injury lawyer will help with your case. Liable parties should face appropriate financial consequences for their negligent behavior, and a skilled lawyer can make that happen.
When we represent you, one of the Morgan & Morgan attorneys will fight tirelessly to recover maximum repayment in your claim. You should not have to pay for the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to a car accident that another party caused.
Is It Legal to File a Traffic Collision Claim Without an Attorney?
Yes, you are legally permitted to file a traffic collision claim without the help of an attorney. However, it is a good idea to consult a car accident lawyer before filing a claim.
A knowledgeable legal professional can advise on the legal process and help ensure that the claim is handled properly and efficiently. One of the attorneys at Morgan & Morgan can also help to negotiate with opposing parties and increase the likelihood of obtaining a fair settlement.
There are several other reasons why it is typically beneficial to work with a lawyer when filing a car accident claim. Lawyers thoroughly understand the laws and regulations related to traffic collisions. Therefore, they can advise you on the best action to take.
Skilled attorneys are also experienced in negotiating with insurance adjusters. Insurance company representatives are trained in powerful negotiation tactics to undermine the claims they receive. They make their money by intimidating lay people into accepting far less than what their claim is worth.
It is critical to understand that insurance providers do not have your best financial interests in mind. They will do everything they can to deny and devalue every claim they receive. This is how insurance companies protect their bottom lines and increase their profits.
However, the skilled car accident lawyers at Morgan and Morgan are effective negotiators. We will not allow a manipulative adjuster to downplay the financial and personal harm you have experienced.
Should I Hire an Attorney Because of the Possibility of a Trial?
Most car accident claims do not end up in the courtroom. However, some traffic accident claims do require a trial. Working with a lawyer can greatly benefit you if you file a traffic collision claim and it goes to court.
A car accident attorney can present evidence to support your version of events. They can skillfully argue your case before the judge or jury. Experienced attorneys are also familiar with courtroom rules and procedures. This can help ensure that your case is heard and that you have the best possible chance of winning.
As your car accident case proceeds, an attorney can advise you on its potential outcomes and help you make informed decisions. Even if the case goes to trial, a lawyer can still negotiate a settlement with the other party's insurance company or attorney. This can save you time and money.
Whether or not a trial is necessary, the at-fault party’s insurer will likely have legal representation. When this is the case, the plaintiff should secure the services of a knowledgeable car accident lawyer. Without a legal professional, you may be forced to settle for less than the full value of your claim.
Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help You Prove Negligence?
Most traffic accident claims succeed or fail based on the plaintiff’s ability to prove negligence. When another person’s negligent behavior is the cause of a car accident, they can be held liable for the resulting damage.
In a legal context, negligence is governed by four distinct facets. These are:
Duty of Care
The car accident victim must provide evidence that the at-fault party owed them an implied legal duty of care. You can do this by showing that the defendant had a legal duty to obey traffic laws, including speed limits and traffic signals.
All drivers have an implied legal duty to act reasonably and safely. If another person’s negligence caused you harm, they might have breached this duty.
Breach of Duty of Care
When a person operates their motor vehicle carelessly or recklessly, they may breach the implied duty of care. There are many ways that drivers can breach this implied duty. Some of the most common examples include:
- Texting or talking on the phone while driving
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Excessive speed
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Failure to maintain a safe vehicle condition
However, simply proving a breach of duty is not enough for a successful claim. Speak with a car accident lawyer about proving negligence in your case.
Causation
The plaintiff in a traffic accident case must provide evidence that the other party’s behavior was the cause of the damage. To this end, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s actions were the direct or proximate cause of the accident. If someone drives dangerously and another factor causes damage, the driver is not necessarily liable for the wreck.
Actual Damage
Finally, plaintiffs in successful car accident claims must prove that the at-fault party’s actions caused actual harm. If another driver breached their duty of care and no one suffered damage, there is no cause for a legal claim.
Proving negligence in a traffic collision claim is very difficult. Having a seasoned car accident lawyer on your side will give you the best chance of success.
The accomplished professionals at Morgan & Morgan, America’s largest tort firm, have more than 35 years of experience fighting successfully for victims of negligence. When you hire us, you can be sure that your case is in capable hands.
What Types of Compensation Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Recover?
In the wake of a motor vehicle crash, victims often experience many more losses than they anticipate. This is particularly true in car accidents resulting in personal injuries.
When you file a claim without a lawyer, you risk the possibility of settling for less than you are due. Do not let this happen in your motor vehicle accident claim.
Most car accident and personal injury civil claims allow victims to pursue two types of financial compensation. These are known as special damages and general damages.
Car accidents usually result in significant financial obligations for those with injuries, and special damages are meant to pay back car crash victims for their monetary expenses.
Some examples of special damages in car crash cases are:
- Current medical bills
- Anticipated costs of future medical care
- Property damage, such as car repair costs
- Travel related to medical care
- Lost income and missed wages caused by an injury
- Lost ability to earn income
However, some consequences of serious car accidents are not financial in nature. General damages are meant to compensate for these other losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional turmoil
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent or temporary disability
If someone was killed in a motor vehicle crash, their estate holders might be able to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim. Families of decedents can often pursue repayment for funeral costs, burial expenses, and other end-of-life matters.
How Soon Should I Contact an Attorney After a Car Crash?
Some people wonder when to call a car accident lawyer after their collision. In most cases, you should consult with a knowledgeable legal professional as soon as possible in the aftermath of a crash.
Depending on your state’s laws, you will only have a certain amount of time to file a claim. This legal time limit is called a statute of limitations. In most states, the statute of limitations is between two and six years.
If you fail to pursue a car crash claim before the statute of limitations expires, you may miss out on the opportunity to recover the compensation you need. Speak with a Morgan and Morgan attorney to ensure that you meet the legal deadlines in your case.
Contact a Car Crash Attorney Now
Do not miss the opportunity to file for financial repayment following a car accident or personal injury. Let the compassionate attorneys at Morgan and Morgan fight for the money you deserve.
With the help of a lawyer, you will have a much better chance of securing a fair settlement. Schedule a free legal case evaluation by completing the Morgan & Morgan online contact form today. Our team of car accident attorneys are ready to work for you.