3 WAYS AN ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
It's likely that we'll all experience a car accident at some point in our lives. In fat, there are roughly 5.5 million car accidents in the United States each year. 3 million of those accidents cause injuries and 40,000 end up fatal. That means each time we're driving a car (or motorcycle), we're putting ourselves at risk.
Though some fender benders end in minimal damage to both the car and individuals, it's important to report the accident and assess any injuries as inattention can make matters much worse. This is where a good attorney can help. Here are some ways that getting a lawyer to step in can pay off in the long run.
SPEAK WITH A LAWYER TO ASSESS DAMAGES
Especially if the accident wasn't your fault, it's possible that you may feel like you're not getting what's needed from the insurance company or the driver at fault. Getting an accident attorney may ensure that you're even filing for all of the damages that could be covered. This could include anticipated medical costs, punitive damages, or lost wages to name only a few.
FILE A LAWSUIT
We all hope that we won't need to escalate things when we've been in a car accident, however sometimes inattention proves problematic or we just can't agree with the other driver on what should be covered. In these cases, an attorney will ensure that a lawsuit covers all your possible damages and sometimes can actually keep you out of the courtroom by negotiating a settlement.
FACTOR IN EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGES
Even though car accidents cause lots of physical damage to you and/or your car, emotional damage matters too. An attorney can fight to include the expenses you may incur after the fact for psychological issues as well.
Some people who have been in severe car accidents suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems. This can be factored in too and it's more likely that the court will see this as a viable issue with an experienced attorney on your side. Though there are never any guarantees, it's important that you fight to take care of yourself both physically and mentally after an accident.
Ultimately, we know that a car accident can be costly and damaging to your car and your overall well being. In the end, it's likely that a great lawyer will be able to take some of that additional stress off your mind, ensure that inattention does not arise from any involved party, and allow you to heal in the best way possible.