What do accident attorneys do?

You’ve probably heard that hiring an accident attorney will help you get the compensation you deserve after an auto accident. However, if you’re like most people, you may not fully understand exactly what accident attorneys do. Are their services really necessary? Here’s a look at some of the most important services they provide, so you can decide for yourself.

Establish Liability

You can’t receive compensation for an auto accident injury unless you can prove that someone else was liable. In some cases, it’s clear who is responsible for causing an accident. For example, if the other driver was intoxicated and ran a red light, this is a clear-cut case. However, it’s usually not so obvious.

This is why establishing liability tops our list of what accident attorneys do. The first and most important step is figuring out who was to blame and how to prove it.

Your attorney will also help prove that the accident wasn’t your fault. You may feel confident that you don’t have any liability. However, this might not matter. Insurance companies will often try to place blame to avoid paying for your losses. In some cases, the other driver may even try to sue you for their damages. 

Gather Evidence

It’s not enough to simply say that something is or is not someone’s fault. You need solid evidence to back up your claims. Once you’ve hired an accident attorney, he or she will immediately start collecting evidence to support your case. 

Experienced attorneys know what to look for when reviewing police reports and witness statements. They also know how to find clues in accident photos and where to look for possible video footage. If you need expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, your attorney will find and hire the best ones for your case. 

Deal with the Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies isn’t always the first thing you’ll think of when asking what accident attorneys do. However, this is one of their most important services. Without support from your attorney, there’s a good chance that the insurance company will try to take advantage of you. They often have teams of attorneys who are focused on giving you the lowest possible settlement — or even denying your claim altogether. 

Having an assertive attorney to speak on your behalf is invaluable. It will make your life less stressful and allow you to avoid uncomfortable conversations with insurance adjusters. 

Ensure a Fair Settlement

The initial offer from an insurance company often seems like a lot of money. You may feel tempted to accept the offer so you can start paying down your bills and work on getting your life back on track. However, you also want to make sure that the settlement is fair based on the losses you’ve suffered. 

This is especially important if you’ve been injured. You’ll need to pay your medical bills and make up for lost wages. However, your damages don’t necessarily stop there. You could have future medical issues. Your injuries may also impact your ability to work. If you’ve endured pain and suffering, you deserve compensation for this as well. 

Your attorney will calculate the total compensation you deserve based on the specifics of your case and help make sure you don’t accept an inappropriate offer. 

Learn More About What Accident Attorneys Do

Now that you have a better understanding of what accident attorneys do, it should be clear that this isn’t something you should try to handle on your own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle or motorcycle accident, our attorneys can help. We have years of experience and are dedicated to fighting for your rights. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.