What Does an Accident Lawyer Do?
Posted April 30th, 2021 by Anthony Carbone.
Categories: Legal Topics.
No one plans to get into an accident, and when one happens, your initial reaction will likely be shock and confusion. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you may even be angry. While all your feelings are valid, it is only through with an experienced attorney that you can get justice. Regardless of whether your case settles out of court or goes to trial, your accident lawyer will work to ensure you get the best results possible.
If you have been injured through another person’s negligence, contact a Bayonne Personal Injury Attorney to learn about your legal rights.
Obtain Necessary Evidence
When you contact an attorney with an accident claim, they will request all the pertinent details of the accident to determine whether you have a valid claim. Most attorneys will only take on a case they believe they can win. If they are convinced you to have a claim, they will go about gathering evidence to prove your side of the story, including:
- Accident and police reports
- Witness statements
- Expert witness professional opinions
- Your medical records
- Your receipts and bills for expenses connected to the accident
- Photo and video evidence
Determine Damages
Obtaining the necessary documentation to prove the extent and cause of your injuries is not an easy task. Although your medical records, for example, are legally yours and you should have access to them, providing them is not top on your doctor’s list of priorities. One of the most crucial roles an accident lawyer plays is fast racking the acquisition of such documents.
Once they get them, it may turn out that your healthcare provider did not indicate information such as causation, prognosis, and disability in their notes. This is common where the doctor was not made aware that you would be pursuing damages. Your attorney can then write to the doctor to request that they include information that could be used to prove:
- The nature and severity of your injury, disability, or physical limitation
- That your injury was caused by the at-fault party’s negligence
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
All this evidence is useless if not used to argue your claim with an insurance company or before a court. Your lawyer handles all negotiations with the insurer to ensure you get compensated for your losses.
Negotiate with Lien Holders
A lien is a claim on your settlement that an individual or company places so they can get paid when your case is successful. Some parties that could place a lien on your settlement include your doctor and health insurance provider. Because liens are taken out of your settlement, your attorney can work to have them reduced or removed.
Consult a Bayonne Personal Injury Attorney
Some injury victims decide to represent themselves in the settlement negotiation process, especially when they are comfortable gathering evidence on their own. While this is allowed by law, there is really no substitute for skilled legal representation from an accident lawyer in an injury claim.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we understand how emotionally and financially taxing accidents can be and are dedicated to helping you come out on top. Contact us today at 201-733-2230 to discuss your legal options and how to pursue them with an experienced Bayonne Personal Injury Attorney.
