If you’ve just been in a road collision, you’re shaken up, to say the least. It can be daunting to figure out what steps you need to be taking while managing all the regular obligations that you might be struggling with because you no longer have a working vehicle or are injured. You might be looking for places where you can cut corners or save money because things feel particularly unstable right now, and you really need to be able to relax. While you absolutely should comb through your to-do list and remove anything that’s not necessary while you’re healing, there’s one task you should never skip over post-accident: reaching out to a lawyer. The following will explore a few reasons why you need to be in contact with a legal professional if you’ve been in an accident.
Local Connections
When you’ve been in an accident, you’re going to have to deal with your insurance company and potentially another insurance company for the other party involved. Insurance companies thrive because they get paid way more money than they pay out to people. They have teams of lawyers, doctors, mechanics, and accident evidence analysts whose job consists of making an accident seem like it was as minimal as possible. If you speak to lawyers who handle vehicle accidents, you’ll find that they have their own connections; doctors, mechanics, and analysts who can come to your defense and ensure that the extent of your accident and the impacts it’s had on you are clear.
Practical Advice
Lawyers know what criteria are used to determine the outcome of vehicle accident claims and legal proceedings. They’re able to explain to you what you should and shouldn’t be doing. For instance, did you know that your social media activity can be used against you in proceedings? That something as simple as commenting on a video of your niece’s ballet recital can be interpreted as you not being as injured as you claim to be? Lawyers can outline the steps you need to take to present you with the best chances of having your best interests respected.
Skill For Dealing With Vague Laws Or Grey Zones
When it comes to the law, there’s actually a lot of wiggle room. Laws vary from state to state, and even in situations where the law is the same across the board, the interpretation of that law can vary. For instance, one motorcycle accident attorney in Wyoming explains that in Wyoming, a victim must be found to be less than 50% responsible for an accident to recover damages for the accident. What’s the difference between 49% responsible and 50% responsible? Do you feel confident articulating that in a legal proceeding where professionals who are trained to get the outcome they want are questioning you?
Support Through The Stress
If you’ve never been involved in a legal procedure before, you need to know that it’s stressful. Not only are there incredibly strict guidelines for things like paperwork and a completely inflexible system of deadlines, but in many cases, you’ll find the opposition lawyer speaks to you in a way that leaves you feeling attacked. Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, being handled by the law can leave you feeling like a trapped, threatened criminal. It shouldn’t be this way, but it is. A lawyer is a protective barrier between you and the legal procedures that are ongoing; they can help you prepare for the inevitable questions and step in when you’re being mistreated. Given that car accidents are the number one cause of PTSD in America, taking steps to alleviate additional stressors as your emotions regulate again post-accident can be incredibly important. Many people need support in order to do this.
Explaining Things So You Understand
In most cases, once you choose a particular course of action, you are legally relinquishing the right to pursue another course of action. As you might expect, insurance companies are going to attempt to get you to choose the course that’s in their best interest. You might have a hard time figuring out what’s in your best interest. An attorney can explain things to you in a way that you understand them. They have had experience with people in similar situations, so they’re better able to explain the hidden costs of your accident to you, and might think of needs you have that you haven’t discovered yet.
The above list should have clarified how beneficial it can be to work with an attorney after you’ve been in an accident. If you’re concerned about the cost, know that many lawyers offer free consultations, and many lawyers offer their services, accepting payment only after they’ve gotten you compensation. Beyond this, there are legal charity options if you look.