A lot of work goes into an auto accident claim, but it can be hard to tell what an attorney does. Clients deserve to know what work an auto accident attorney will be doing for them during this process so let's examine three things an attorney will do.
Collecting Reports
Professional assessments of what happened during an incident are among the most compelling items a lawyer can use. This means getting copies of the initial police reports. In some cases, an auto accident attorney might also talk with the wrecking company that collected the vehicle and get a report from them. Most importantly, medical reports from the doctors who've dealt with a client's injuries will feature big-time in most cases.
Pulling these reports together into a narrative is essential. The goal of an auto accident attorney is to explain how events unfolded so that an insurance adjuster understands why a victim should be compensated fully. Clients need to be patient during this process because it can take time to get reports back from people like surgeons and expert witnesses. Similar work will go into getting depositions and statements.
Negotiating
Most folks, if they were asked, couldn't really tell you what a fair offer is. Obviously, you'd like to get money to cover the costs of things like medical expenses, but how do you quantify something like loss of companionship, for example? Also, a lawyer will help their clients establish what the value of their lost work time is.
On the other hand, the insurance company has a number in mind. They do a lot of analytics work to establish what people with claims similar to yours have settled for in the region where you live.
Bringing their number together with your number often requires negotiation. Your auto accident attorney has a legal obligation to share every offer the insurance company makes with you. They can then tell you whether they feel it's a good or a bad number, but it's your call whether to continue negotiating, accept the settlement, or pursue a lawsuit.
Representation at Trial
Although it's a last resort, taking the matter to trial is an option. Notably, the threat of litigation often encourages settlement. This is especially the case when the discovery process uncovers things that are bad, such as dashcam videos or drunk texts, for the defendant's side. Most cases don't go to trial, but it's good to be prepared for one.
To learn more, contact an auto accident attorney in your area.
Share