Auto Accident Attorneys: Filing A Lawsuit After Injury
Good auto accident attorneys understand that getting into a car crash is not just
devastating from an injurious standpoint, but it can take a toll emotionally as well. But as client advocates, they are most interested in how people are impacted financially by such an incident. Often, the answer is simple: substantially. Hospital bills are the number one thing leading to bankruptcy in this country and the aftermath of a crash can lead to an avalanche of them. When the crash wasn't your fault, the sting can be twice as bitter. To recover at least somewhat from such a financial toll, you might consider filing a suit against the guilty party. Here's how to do so.Acting Quickly
It doesn't pay to wait around and weigh your options if you hope to file a lawsuit. Many states have a statute of limitations on how long after an incident you can file in court. For most states, that time period is somewhere around two years, but that can be a short two years when you have the business of getting better, getting back to work, and putting your life back in order. If you have any inclination to recover damages, you should contact one of the auto accident attorneys in your area as soon as possible.
Submit a Claim
In order to bring a lawsuit, you'll have to first show that you attempted to submit a claim to the defendant's insurance company. Who knows, they may be willing to settle for just the amount you had hoped to see. While this is unusual, you may get lucky. What you should not do is enter into negotiations without legal representation. Auto accident attorneys see this happen all the time and it usually doesn't end well for the would-be plaintiff. Insurance companies wouldn't exist, after all, if they blew all of their profits on settling cases for healthy, deserved amounts. They will almost certainly attempt to lowball you. It is at that point that you should consider whether filing a lawsuit is worth it.
Gathering Evidence
Filing a lawsuit is about more than simply hiring a lawyer and showing up in court. If you hope to prove your case, you'll need evidence. This evidence should consist of everything from police reports to hospital bills. It may include testimony from the doctors who treated you and witnesses to the crash. You will have to convince a jury that the damages you're asking for are not only appropriate, but that the driver in question was negligent and responsible for the crash. Auto accident attorneys make their living by doing just that. Make sure you hire a good one.
by: Abraham Avotina