Car Accident Lawyer FAQ
There are hundreds of thousands of personal injury lawyers in the U.S. these days, and many of these personal injury lawyers specialize in car accident cases. A good car accident lawyer can be a valuable asset during a car accident case, and for a variety of reasons. Still, a lot of individuals have questions about car accident cases and the lawyers that litigate them, and some of the frequently asked questions are answered here.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 if you’ve been injured in a car accident. Our car accident lawyers in Brooklyn have been representing car accident victims for years, and we’ll exhaust every option to ensure you get fairly compensated for injuries sustained from an accident.
What Do I Do Immediately After A Car Accident?
Seek Medical Attention: Immediately after a car accident, you should seek medical attention by calling 911. You’ll be brought to the nearest emergency room, and there a physician will look you over and treat injuries you’ve sustained. They’ll also create a record of injuries, and this will be a valuable piece of evidence when you seek damages later on.
Inform Your Insurance Provider: Contact your insurance provider and notify them of the accident. Stick to the facts and don’t answer any questions they ask. If you start answering questions without guidance from a car accident lawyer, you may accidentally admit fault, even if you’re not at fault.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer: Call a car accident lawyer immediately. You can even do this from the hospital if you’re able to. A car accident lawyer will be able to tell you how to proceed, and they may even meet you at the hospital to discuss your options. Once you bring them on board, they’ll begin the evidence-gathering process and start reaching out to other involved parties, witnesses, involved insurance providers, etc.
What If I’m Not Injured?
Even if you don’t believe you’re seriously injured after a car accident, you should seek medical attention. A lot of accident-related injuries manifest weeks or months after an accident, but a medical professional will be able to identify injuries that haven’t presented yet and make a record of these. That way, when these injuries do present, there’s a record linking them to the earlier car accident.
Will I Need Money Up Front To Hire A Lawyer?
In the vast majority of cases, no. A car accident lawyer in Queens will cover all the fees associated with bringing a lawsuit, and they’ll also pay fees related to evidence gathering. If an award is secured for their client, they will recoup by collecting 1/3 of the damages awarded, or 33.3%. Keep in mind that there are laws, regulations, and ethics standards which govern how much a lawyer can take from awarded damages.
How Long Do I Have To File A Car Accident Lawsuit?
In New York State, most car accident victims have three years to file a lawsuit. However, if an accident victim succumbs to their injuries, their dependents/family will need to file a lawsuit on their behalf within two years. It’s best to get a car accident lawsuit filed as soon as possible, as the quality of evidence degrades over time, and you don’t want to be litigating a car accident case three years after it happened if you don’t have to.
But if you hire a car accident lawyer soon after the accident, they’ll get the process in motion for you so you have plenty of time to focus on recovering.
How Do I Pay For Medical Bills After A Car Accident?
If you’ve been saddled with medical bills from an accident, the award you receive from winning the accident case will be partly used to cover these. You may have to pay for some things out of pocket, or your health insurance provider can cover the costs. You may also have to sign a lien which obligates you to pay outstanding medical bills later on.
Should I Speak To Involved Parties’ Insurances Companies?
No, you should avoid speaking to other parties’ insurance companies. They may persuade you into admitting fault, or they may get you to admit fault unknowingly. You may also give up information that’s best kept between you and your lawyer. If you do have to talk to another party’s insurance company, make sure you do so when there’s a car accident lawyer present.
What Damages Are Recoverable After An Accident?
After a car accident, an accident victim will often seek damages for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages both past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life enjoyment
If an accident victim is killed as a result of the accident, their dependents/family may sue for damages to cover funeral costs and other expenses associated with losing a provider.
How Will A Lawyer Calculate A Damages Figure?
The total damages figure one will seek in a car accident lawsuit is based on a variety of factors. The total cost of medical care, lost wages, and other factors like pain and suffering will collectively form the total damages figure. This figure is not necessarily the amount one will receive if they win their case, as it may be raised or lowered as the process unfolds.
How Large Are Car Accident Awards Generally?
One can receive anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $1 million as a car accident reward. The award size depends on what injuries were sustained from the accident, as well as the extent of property damage.
Do All Car Accident Cases Go To Trial?
The majority of car accident cases get settled out of court. This is because settling out of court is a lot less costly for all parties to a car accident case, and settling out of court also tends to be a much quicker option.
How Long Does A Car Accident Case Usually Take To Get Resolved?
It could take weeks, months, or years to settle a car accident claim. If the case goes to court, this will elongate the process quite significantly.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 and speak with our car accident lawyers now. We’ve secured awards for car accident victims throughout the Five Boroughs, and we’ll help you seek damages after a car accident. Hire best car accident lawyer today!
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