A car accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. If you have been in a serious accident, you may not know what to do next. You might wonder who is responsible for paying your medical bills, whether you should accept an insurer’s settlement offer, or how much compensation your injuries are worth.
You might also wonder: what does a car accident lawyer actually do?
Keep reading to find out more about what a car accident lawyer does.
What Is the Role of a Car Accident Lawyer?
The primary role of a car accident lawyer is to protect the injured person’s legal interests. The lawyer’s job is to help injury victims pursue compensation for losses caused by another party’s negligence.
A car accident lawyer can review your medical records, investigate the collision, calculate your damages, and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to offer reasonable compensation, your attorney can evaluate whether filing a lawsuit is appropriate.
A lawyer does much more than paperwork. An attorney helps build the legal and factual foundation to pursue your claim.
What Evidence Does a Car Accident Lawyer Gather?
Evidence is essential to a successful personal injury claim. An attorney must establish not only that another party caused the collision, but also that the accident resulted in the damages being claimed.
Common evidence gathered includes:
- Police reports. These may identify drivers, witnesses, traffic violations, and the officer’s observations.
- Photographs. Pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and road conditions can help document what happened.
- Surveillance footage. Video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or parking facilities may capture the collision.
- Dashboard recordings. Dashcam footage may show the moments leading up to the accident.
- Witness statements. Independent witnesses may help establish which driver caused the collision.
- Medical records. Treatment records can document your injuries, symptoms, diagnoses, and recovery.
- Medical bills. Billing records help establish the financial cost of treatment.
- Employment records. Pay statements and other documents can help establish lost wages.
- Vehicle repair estimates. These documents may help establish the extent of property damage.
Evidence can also disappear quickly. Surveillance footage may be overwritten. Vehicles can be repaired. Witnesses may forget important details over time. An attorney can take steps to preserve relevant evidence before it becomes unavailable.
How Does a Lawyer Determine the Value of a Car Accident Case?
There is no standard settlement amount for an Arizona car accident. The value of a case depends on many factors. An attorney may consider the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and the strength of evidence establishing liability.
Some common factors for consideration include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your medical care needs, now and in the future
- Whether you have missed work due to your injuries
- Whether your injuries affect your ability to work in the future
- Whether you are being blamed for the accident
- The number of potentially liable parties
- The available insurance coverage
- The strength of evidence
An attorney can document the consequences of your accident through medical evidence, testimony, and other relevant records.
How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Deal with Insurers?
Although insurance companies have legitimate responsibilities to investigate claims, their financial interest may differ from yours. An insurer may dispute liability, question your medical treatment, or offer a settlement that does not fully account for your losses.
Accepting an offer without understanding your future medical needs could leave you responsible for expenses that the settlement does not cover. A car accident lawyer can review the offer, assess your damages, and negotiate with the insurer accordingly.
Your attorney can help you understand the consequences of signing a settlement agreement. Once you sign a valid release, you may be unable to pursue additional compensation for expenses that arise later.
Contact the Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers at Triumph Law Group for a Free Consultation
A car accident lawyer does much more than negotiate a settlement. The attorney’s responsibilities can be especially important when an accident causes serious injuries, substantial medical expenses, or permanent changes to your life.
If another driver’s negligence caused your car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us at Triumph Law Group to schedule a free consultation. Let our Phoenix car accident lawyers help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Triumph Law Group – Phoenix Office
1221 E Osborn Rd Unit 201, Phoenix, AZ 85014
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