Who’s In Your Corner? 3 Reasons You Might Want to Contact a Lawyer to Assist With Your Injury Case

Emergency responders are a fantastic comfort at the scene of an accident. They make sure that all injured victims get immediate medical help, sort out some preliminary fault issues, and secure some evidence. But after the last ambulance leaves and the last bit of wreckage is cleared up, victims often feel alone at the very time that the real work in a damage claim is just beginning.

At this point, it’s very important to have a personal injury lawyer fighting for you. A lawyer is both an attorney and counsellor at law. So, in addition to a zealous advocate, a victim gets a reliable source of solid advice.

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Preserve Evidence

Victim/plaintiffs have the burden of proof to establish negligence at trial, so evidence is very important. Most people know that eyewitnesses and physical evidence, like pictures of skid marks, often make a tremendous difference. Electronic evidence, such as the Event Data Recorder, often makes a big difference as well. This device is like the “black box” in a commercial airplane. The EDR captures and records vital statistics like:

• Vehicle speed,
• Steering angle,
• Rate of acceleration or deceleration, and
• Brake application.

An attorney must act quickly to preserve this evidence. Most insurance companies destroy totaled vehicles a few days after a car accident, and since they do not have the burden of proof, they have no reason to retain evidence. So, an attorney will send a spoliation letter to the insurance company to prevent the intentional or accidental destruction of evidence.

Moreover, due to privacy laws, only the vehicle owner usually has access to the EDR. To inspect the device and download its data, an attorney usually needs to get a court order.

Ensure Medical Attention

It’s very important that victims see doctors within the first twenty-four hours after the accident. But many health insurance companies do not pay for accident-related visits, and most people do not have extra money for unexpected medical bills. Furthermore, a family doctor may not have the necessary expertise to diagnose and treat certain injury-related conditions, like whiplash.

An attorney addresses both these problems. Through a letter of protection, the victim can see a doctor without any upfront cost, in most cases. And, through a referral, a victim can see an injury care specialist that provides both emergency care services and physical rehabilitation services.

Negotiate with the Insurance Company

Given the sudden rush of activity, most people are in no position to deal with the other driver’s insurance company. Even if they did have the time necessary, they often do not know how much their case is worth and therefore may accept a settlement that provides less than fair compensation.

An attorney will hold out for maximum compensation that includes money for economic damages, such as medical bills, and noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. Moreover, an experienced attorney can accurately assess a case’s full financial value, so victims get solid advice as to how to proceed.

Never go to war with an insurance company without a good lawyer at your side.