Motor vehicle accidents are an unfortunate and common occurrence. In the United States alone, there are over 6 million car accidents every year. Though many are minor fender benders, a significant portion of these accidents result in injuries and damages that require legal assistance.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, you may want to consider hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer. Though insurance companies promise to take care of you, their primary goal is to minimize payouts whenever possible. Having an experienced lawyer on your side levels the playing field and ensures you receive full and fair compensation.
The consequences of motor vehicle accidents can be severe, ranging from short-term injuries to permanent disability and lost wages. Navigating the legal system post-accident can be complex and frustrating. An attorney has the knowledge and resources to handle insurance negotiations, determine fault, file claims, and represent your best interests in court if necessary.
This guide will provide an overview of how motor vehicle accident lawyers can help you recover damages, determine liability, and get the justice you deserve after an accident. We’ll also offer tips for finding the right lawyer for your specific situation. With an attorney’s assistance, you can make the best of a difficult circumstance.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can occur for many reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
Drunk driving – Driving while impaired by alcohol significantly increases the chance of an accident. Even a small amount of alcohol can negatively affect coordination, reaction time, and judgment. Drunk drivers cause thousands of avoidable accidents each year.
Distracted driving – Activities like texting, eating, talking on the phone, adjusting music, looking at maps, and daydreaming take the driver’s attention away from the road. This distraction causes millions of accidents annually, especially among teenage and young adult drivers.
Speeding – Excessive speed gives drivers less time to react and extends the distance needed to brake. It also increases the severity of an accident. Speeding is a major factor in fatal crashes.
Weather conditions – Inclement weather like rain, snow, fog, and wind can impair visibility and traction. Wet, icy, or snowy roads increase stopping distances. Poor weather causes many crashes from skidding or reduced control.
By being aware of these common accident causes, drivers can be more cautious and practice defensive techniques to avoid crashes. Following traffic laws, eliminating distractions, adjusting driving to conditions, and planning ahead can all help reduce accident risk.
Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic, life-altering trauma. Some of the most common serious injuries include:
Whiplash – This neck injury occurs when the head is suddenly jolted back and forth, causing the muscles and ligaments in the neck to overstretch. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, numbness/tingling, and reduced range of motion. Whiplash injuries can develop into long-term pain and discomfort if not properly treated.
Traumatic brain injuries – Also called TBI, these injuries are caused by a violent jolt to the head that damages the brain. Concussions are a mild form of TBI, while more serious brain injuries can result in coma, paralysis, personality changes, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating and communicating. Proper medical treatment is crucial for preventing permanent brain damage.
Broken bones – Fractures to the ribs, arms, legs, collarbone, and other bones are common in high-impact collisions when occupants are jostled around or even ejected from vehicles. Broken bones often require surgical treatment and can result in limited mobility during the healing process. In severe cases, broken bones may fail to heal properly and require physical therapy.
Any of these injuries can result in excruciating pain, expensive medical treatment, reduced mobility, lost wages, and lowered quality of life. Your motor vehicle accident lawyer will help quantify and document the full extent of your injuries so you receive fair compensation. Don’t try to downplay your injuries – be honest with your lawyer about all symptoms and limitations resulting from the accident.
The Role of a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
A motor vehicle accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance if you’ve been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle collision that was caused by someone else’s negligence. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
One of the most important responsibilities of a motor vehicle accident attorney is to conduct a thorough investigation of how the collision occurred. This includes gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, inspecting the scene, checking traffic cameras, and collecting other evidence to build a strong case. Determining how the crash happened and who was at fault is crucial.
Your attorney will also negotiate assertively with insurance companies to fight for fair compensation for your injuries, vehicle damage, lost income, and other costs. Insurance providers want to minimize payouts, but an adept lawyer has the leverage to pressure insurers to offer a satisfactory settlement. Otherwise, they will take the case to court if needed.
Additionally, a knowledgeable motor vehicle accident lawyer will consult with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries, both physical and psychological. They will calculate current and future expenses for your medical treatment, therapy, medication, assistive devices, in-home care, and other needs. Then they will demand the at-fault driver’s insurer cover these costs.
With an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney on your side, you can focus on healing while your lawyer handles the legal complexities. They will build a persuasive claim to recover maximum compensation so you can move forward after your accident.
Financial Compensation You May Recover
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may have the right to receive financial compensation for your losses. This compensation is intended to cover the various impacts the accident has had on your life.
Some of the main types of damages you may be able to recover include:
Medical Bills
One of the most common expenses accident victims incur are medical bills. You can receive compensation for past medical treatment you’ve received for your injuries as well as the estimated cost of future care you may need. This includes expenses like hospitalization, surgery, therapy, rehabilitation, medication, medical equipment and more.
Lost Income
Many accident victims end up missing work for days, weeks or even months while recovering. You can claim these lost wages as part of your compensation. Calculations are based on your average earnings before the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Though difficult to quantify, compensation for pain and suffering is intended to cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and injuries. The amount depends on the severity and length of your suffering.
Thoroughly documenting your injuries, treatment, impact on your life and losses is key to receiving full and fair compensation in your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand what types of damages you may be entitled to and how to prove them.
How Fault Is Determined
When a motor vehicle accident occurs, fault must be determined in order to establish liability. There are a few key factors that investigators will examine to make this determination:
Police Report
The police report from the responding officer will provide important details about what occurred during the accident. The officer’s observations at the scene along with eyewitness statements will be documented in this report. The officer may make a preliminary determination of fault based on the evidence available.
Eyewitness Testimony
If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, their accounts of what transpired can shed light on who was at fault. Eyewitnesses may provide information that was not captured in the police report, such as the speed the vehicles were traveling prior to impact. Their unbiased perspectives can corroborate or contradict assertions made by the drivers involved.
Reconstruction Experts
In serious or fatal accidents, reconstruction experts may be brought in to thoroughly analyze the accident scene. These experts consider road conditions, weather, vehicle damage, and other evidence to piece together a timeline of events leading up to the collision. Their findings can scientifically determine the at-fault driver when initial reports are inconclusive. Reconstructions can also identify other factors that may have contributed to the crash, such as vehicle defects.
Determining fault is a crucial component of seeking compensation after an accident. Working with an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can help ensure fault is properly assessed based on available evidence. This will strengthen your claim when negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing damages in court.
Steps to Take After an Accident
Being in a motor vehicle accident can be stressful and overwhelming. However, it’s important to take certain steps after an accident to protect your rights and access the compensation you may deserve. Here are some key steps to take:
Exchange information – If possible, exchange names, contact info, insurance details, vehicle identification numbers, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers with all drivers involved. Get contact information for any witnesses as well.
Get medical help – Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured, get medical attention right away. Some injuries don’t show symptoms until hours or days later. Seeing a doctor will also document your injuries for your claim.
Document the scene – Take photos of damage to all vehicles, the accident scene, street signs or signals, skid marks, and weather and road conditions. Take notes on exactly what happened while it’s still fresh.
Contact your insurance company – Notify your insurance provider about the accident and start a claim if you intend to file one. Provide only basic facts and avoid admitting fault.
Contact a lawyer – Connect with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. A lawyer can handle the claims process for you while you focus on recovery. They can determine fault, estimate a value for your damages, negotiate a fair settlement, and take your case to trial if needed. Don’t speak to the at-fault driver’s insurance company until you have legal representation.
Taking these steps promptly can make the difference between receiving fair compensation or not. Don’t delay in seeking medical treatment and contacting a qualified motor vehicle accident lawyer after any car crash. With an experienced legal team on your side, you can be assured your rights are protected.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Lawyer
When searching for the right motor vehicle accident lawyer, you’ll want to ask potential attorneys some key questions to ensure they have the right experience, success rate, and fee structure for your case. Here are some of the most important questions to ask:
How much experience do you have handling motor vehicle accident cases?
You’ll want a lawyer who has extensive expertise dealing specifically with motor vehicle accidents, not just general personal injury experience. Ask how many years they’ve practiced this area of law and how many similar cases they’ve handled. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney will be familiar with the complexities these cases entail.
What is your success rate for past motor vehicle accident cases?
Understanding their general win rate can give you an indication of an attorney’s skills arguing these cases. Ask what kinds of verdicts and settlements they’ve obtained for past clients to get a sense of the level of compensation they can potentially recover for you. Of course, each case has its own unique circumstances, but a lawyer’s track record is informative.
How do you charge legal fees for motor vehicle accident cases?
The fee structure is an important consideration when choosing legal representation. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they only collect a percentage fee if they recover compensation for you. Get a clear understanding upfront of what the lawyer’s contingency percentage fee entails and whether any costs would be deducted from a potential settlement or award amount.
Asking the right questions upfront will help you find the most qualified motor vehicle accident attorney to fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. Consider setting up initial consultations with a few top lawyers in your area to compare their experience, success rates, and fee structures.
Conclusion
After being in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important to take care of yourself medically and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Consulting with a qualified motor vehicle accident lawyer can help guide you through the process and protect your rights.
When searching for the right lawyer, look for someone with proven experience handling motor vehicle accident cases in your area. They should be knowledgeable about fault determination, valuating claims, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking cases to trial if needed. Choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who clearly explains what to expect.
Don’t wait to get legal help after an accident – the sooner you contact a motor vehicle accident lawyer, the better. Time is of the essence in these cases. An attorney can start collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, and building your claim right away. This gives you the best chance of maximizing your settlement and getting your life back on track.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, reach out to an attorney today for a free consultation. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you can feel confident you will get the compensation you need and deserve. Call or visit their website now to get started.