What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
If you have been in a car accident, you should hire a car accident lawyer to help you deal with the other driver’s insurance company and maximize your claim. Even small accidents require time and attention to receive an adequate payout from the other driver’s insurance company. A Denver car accident attorney can help you navigate your personal injury claim.
Car Accident Lawyers Communicate with the Other Driver’s Insurance
Once you hire an attorney, they will take over all communications with the other driver’s insurance. All drivers in Colorado must carry car insurance, so it is almost inevitable that you will deal with the other driver’s insurance company rather than dealing directly with the driver.
In a car accident, the insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible. It will try every tactic to deflect blame from its clients and to attempt to minimize your compensation. If you are recovering from your injuries and trying to deal with the insurance company concurrently, you may be at a disadvantage.
Seasoned car accident lawyers have ample experience dealing with insurance companies. They will counter any attempts the insurance company makes to shift the blame for the accident to you. They will also advocate for you, providing evidence of your damages to obtain a maximum settlement.
Your Car Accident Lawyer Will Gather Evidence
In car accident cases, you must prove that the other driver caused the accident. You also need to prove that you suffered injuries and how much compensation you should receive because of your injuries. Many car accident victims find it difficult and time-consuming to gather evidence. This process may seem insurmountable if you are also attempting to recover from injuries and dealing with the aftermath of your accident.
Fortunately, car accident lawyers have experience and knowledge concerning what you should provide to the insurance company or the driver’s lawyer to maximize your compensation.
First, lawyers must prove that the other driver was liable for the accident. A driver is liable, or at fault, when he or she caused the accident through negligence or recklessness. In Colorado, drivers must legally report car accidents. In some accidents, the liability is clear, and the responding officers will clearly state who was at fault in the accident report.
To prove negligent or reckless driving, lawyers will collect:
- Pictures of the accident site
- Statements from witnesses
- The accident report from the highway patrol
- An accident reconstruction from an expert
Your car accident lawyer will gather any other evidence you need to prove fault in your accident. A lawyer’s experience with car accident claims helps them understand the evidence they should present to show liability. For example, many know the top 15 causes of car accidents and the evidence typically needed in those claims.
Your Car Accident Lawyer Will Establish Your Losses
Once you have proved liability, you will need to establish your losses to show how much compensation you should receive. The purpose of a personal injury settlement is to return you to the position you were in before your accident.
To do that, you should provide the other driver with a detailed list of your expenses, including:
- The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages if you are unable to return to work or return to the same field you were in previously
- Medical equipment and medication costs
Your car accident lawyer should also describe your pain and suffering and demand compensation. Although lawyers cannot provide a concrete amount for the value of your pain and suffering, your lawyer can look at similar cases to determine how much to demand.
Your car accident lawyer can also help you understand the implications of your compensation when they settle your claim or when your case. For example, they can explain why you typically do not have to pay taxes on personal injury settlements.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you have been in a car accident, a car accident lawyer can help. Car accident lawyers will explain how they will handle your claim and how they can help you recover damages. They can help you throughout the claims process, from the initial case evaluation to trial if necessary.
For more information please contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer.
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120. Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
