What to expect after a first-time car accident?
Car accidents cases carry a strong shock factor. When we see a car accident on the side of the road, we hope everyone is ok. We hope no one is badly hurt or killed. And often, that’s the case. It is a simple fender bender.
But sometimes these car wrecks are more serious. This happens when the car accident causes a driver or passenger to suffer long-term injuries or death. And surprisingly, it is not always clear that someone is seriously hurt after a car wreck. For example, the injured person may develop delayed pain in his back or neck from the accident.
As a result, I want to talk to you about what to expect in a first-time car accident case. And my goal is to put your case into context. But first, I will show you simple steps you can take to protect your rights.
Steps to take after a car accident.
Make sure everyone is ok.
Call police.
Exchange Information and take photos.
Call your insurance company and file a claim.
Call your doctor.
Get a copy of the crash report.
Further, as we mentioned above, this report will tell you which driver is at fault. The report will also contain the name of the other driver and his insurance information. This will allow you to file a claim with the at fault driver’s insurance company so they can pay to fix your car and for your injuries.
Talk to a car accident attorney.
Should I hire a lawyer for my car accident case?
I recommend you speak with an experienced car wreck lawyer if you are in an accident. After that you can decide if you want to hire a lawyer. Notably, the lawyer consult is important because it will outline your options based on the facts in your case. Most important of all, you should consult with a lawyer before you sign any settlement agreement with the insurance company.
What are 3 key questions to ask in a car wreck case?
- Who is at fault? The car crash report will tell you which driver caused the accident. This is important because the other driver must be at fault if you want to sue the negligent driver. And sometimes the report may not be clear about who caused the wreck. As a result, the attorney will help you figure out if you have a strong case or not.
- Does the at-fault driver have insurance? This might be the most important part of a car crash case. The insurance company for the other driver is the one who will write the check to settle the claim. But if the the negligent driver does not have insurance, then it maybe hard to collect money from the at-fault driver.
In addition, sometimes the other driver has insurance. But his insurance is not enough to cover the medical bills and expenses caused by the accident. In these types of cases, the lawyer maybe able to help you with an uninsured(UM) or underinsured (UIM) motorist claim. - How bad were the Injuries? The amount of any settlement is tied directly to the injuries in your case. The more serious the injuries, then the higher the value of the case. Nevertheless, sometimes insurance companies do not want to pay a fair price for the accident. When this happens, then you can sue the at-fault driver to cover the damages in your case.
Notably, the law provides for different types of damages. This includes damages for medical bills, loss of earnings, and physical pain and suffering. These are just a few examples of damages that can increase your settlement amount.
How much do lawyers charge for car crash cases?
Most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. The exact fee will depend on each lawyer or law firm. Typically the fees range from 33% to 40%. And the lawyers will take this fee from the settlement amount. Consequently, the fee amount is a factor you should consider before hiring a lawyer.
San Antonio Car Accident Attorney.
The good news is that many cases get worked out without filing suit. This happens when the insurance company for the at-fault driver and the injured person agree on an amount. This is the best of all possible options because it keeps costs low. This is important because lower costs mean a higher payout for the injured driver.
The bad news is that sometimes the insurance company for the at-fault driver does not want to pay. Or they make a low offer that does not reflect the harm the at-fault driver caused. In these types of cases, the injured person must sue to get the insurance company to pay.
An experienced attorney can help you with either of these possibilities.
Attorney Genaro R. Cortez.
Phone: 210-733-7575