Getting involved in a car accident can be stressful and frustrating, including the one where you are not at fault. Your brain must be full of emotions, questions, and concerns. One of the things that may be in your head is whether or not to seek legal representation. So, is it necessary to get a lawyer for a car accident that was not your fault?
Importance of Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident that Was Not Your Fault
For those who are wondering whether or not you should get a lawyer for a car accident that was not your fault, the short answer of the question is yes. While you may have the ability to handle everything by yourself, it is better for you to get a lawyer.
There are a number of reasons why it is needed for you to get a lawyer after getting involved in a car accident that was not your fault, such as:
1. You can focus more on your health
After the accident, you should pay more attention to your health. If needed, you can take medication, visit a doctor, or so on. For the legal matter, you can trust it to your lawyer. To help you handle this kind of case, you are suggested to get a personal injury lawyer. The best one is the one with experience.
2. Your lawyer can help you gather information
By hiring a lawyer, you can ask them to help you collect information that you need to prove that you were not at fault for the accident and that you were the victim in this case. If you managed to gather some evidence at the scene, such as the information about the driver, car, and the pictures of the damaged vehicles, pictures of the injury, and the pictures of the site, it would be good for you.
3. Your lawyer can help you calculate any damages you can collect
Calculating damages that you are eligible to collect is not easy, especially if you have no idea how to do it. That’s why a lawyer is needed. They will help you to do it by showing proof of your medical expenses and other financial losses that you suffered due to the accident. Make sure to provide them documentation and other evidence to get compensation.
4. Your lawyer can help you to get compensation from your insurance companies
As stated before, your main priority after being involved in a car accident should be your health. To get compensation from the insurance companies, you can ask a lawyer to help you. They will be able to deal directly with them and try to help you get what you deserve.
5. Your lawyer can help you in case the other party blames you for the accident
If you are blamed for the accident when you think it was their fault, your lawyer will be on your side to prove that the claim that they made was nonsense and to prove that you were actually the victim in the accident.
6. Your lawyer can intervene in case your claim is denied
If your claim is denied by the insurance company, your lawyer can help you to win it by collecting more evidence and proving that you were right and your claim deserves to be accepted.
7. Your lawyer can discuss with the adjuster in case your claim is undervalued
It has been known that insurance adjusters tend to reduce the amount the insurance company pays to someone like you who was injured in an accident. This is how they make a profit. In case your claim is undervalued by them, your attorney will usually discuss with them and show damages you suffered.
8. Your lawyer can help you prove negligence
In order to prove negligence, it is a must for you to prove a total of four basic elements of your case, including the ones with other driver’s duty, and the others with the injury you sustained. When claiming negligence, you have to ensure that the other party was at fault because they broke the standard of the duty of case. Apart from that, you should also prove that you suffered an injury caused by the other party and deserve compensation.
Things to Do First Before Getting a Lawyer
Minutes after getting involved in a car accident, the first thing that you need to do is to call the police. If the other is at fault for the accident, you should call the police to hold the other party accountable for the damages and repair costs. It is better for you to not deal with the other party by yourself, even if they insist you to not call the police or insurance companies. When you get connected to the police, make sure to let them know what exactly happened. Do not forget to provide details to make it easier for them to decide who is at fault. Aside from this matter, filing a police report is also recommended to handle an insurance claim. A copy of the report is important for you to speed up the process of the claims.
When you are still at the scene of the accident, try your best to collect as many information as possible, such as:
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- The information about the driver, including their name and contact information
- The information about the passengers, including their names and contact information
- The information about the witnesses, including their names and contact information
- The information about the car, including model, color, insurer, and policy
- The information about the responding police officer, including their name, contact information, and badge number
Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is advisable to get a lawyer for a car accident that was not your fault to increase the chance of achieving a good result, even though you may have the ability to handle it by yourself. If you have no budget to do it, you can consider discussing with personal injury lawyers who offer free consultations. Remember that your main focus should be protecting your own rights and making sure that you get the compensation you deserve.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
