Car accidents are consistently among the most common cause of accidental injuries in the United States, and can often leave victims with life-altering injuries and significant losses. While most people are aware of the fact that car accident victims can be entitled to compensation, they know very little about the process and do not fully understand the role that a personal injury attorney can play. This is particularly true in cases where victims are offered a seemingly substantial settlement offer by an insurance company before they have even spoken to a lawyer.

The fact of the matter is that everyone who has been hurt in a car accident should speak with a lawyer as soon as they can. Some of the reasons that it is so important to do so are discussed in the material below. To learn more about how we can help you, call our office today.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation Without Even Knowing It

Many people who are involved in car accidents may be legally entitled to compensation without even being aware of the fact that they are. For example, if you were the rear driver in a rear-end accident, you may assume that the accident was completely your fault. If, however, the driver in the front was also negligent in some way, such as driving a vehicle without brake lights or changing lanes without signaling you may be able to recover compensation. Similarly, many single vehicle accident victims simply assume that the accident was their fault. But, if the accident was caused by a poorly maintained road or a vehicle defect, you may be able to establish negligence on the part of the government agency or the vehicle manufacturer. An attorney will thoroughly review your case and let you know whether you have a claim.

The Insurance Company is NOT on Your Side

If you have been contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, it is important to recognize that their goal is to minimize the amount they pay you.  If they can settle for much less than your case is actually worth, they will do so. As a result, it is important to have a good idea how much you could get if your case went to trial before engaging in any settlement negotiations.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for people who do not have legal training or experience with personal injury law to accurately assess the value of their car accident case. While economic damages like property damages or medical expenses may be relatively clear, less easy to evaluate damages are those associated with pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. In addition, depending on your injuries, it may be necessary to estimate the amount that your ongoing medical care will cost you over the course of years or decades or to determine how much you would have made over the course of your career if you are unable to work again.

An attorney who has experience representing car accident victims can advocate on your behalf and ensure that any settlement you receive adequately covers your actual losses.

Investigating a Car Accident Case Requires Significant Resources

Not every car accident case is settled without a fight. In some cases, the at-fault party may refuse to admit legal liability, which means that you may need to obtain evidence that he or she (or it, in the case of a business) was negligent and that that negligence caused the accident. Examples of evidence that may be relevant to a contested car accident case include the following:

• Onboard vehicle computer data;
• Maintenance records;
• Cell phone records;
• Surveillance footage;
• Eyewitness testimony;
• Internal documents from vehicle manufacturers;
• Medical records;
• Road maintenance records; and
• Photos from third parties’ devices.

Sometimes, obtaining evidence can be difficult, as parties with a stake in the outcome of the litigation may be hesitant to turn it over or simply not want to cooperate. Fortunately, through a legal process known as “discovery,” your attorney can compel the production of evidence in support of your case. For this reason, if you believe your case may be contested, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as you can.

If Your Case Goes to Trial, You Will be at a Significant Disadvantage if Your Represent Yourself

A civil trial regarding a car accident is a complicated matter, and you can be certain that any insurance company that is willing to defend a car accident claim will do so with the assistance of a seasoned legal team. If it becomes necessary to take your case to trial in order to recover compensation, it is absolutely essential that you have an experienced attorney on your side. When you retain a lawyer, he or she will handle every aspect of your case, including collecting evidence, initiating a lawsuit, selecting jurors, presenting your case in court, and pointing out any procedural or substantive deficiencies of the defense’s rebuttal to your case.

While you may be concerned with the legal fees associated with retaining an attorney, there is no reason to be. Even if your case goes to trial, you will only be required to pay legal fees in the event that your case is brought to a successful resolution. If you do not collect any money, you will not owe your lawyer anything. In addition, any legal fees that you pay will come directly out of the settlement or award that you receive, so you will never be required to pay for legal representation from money that you already have.

Call an Anderson Car Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should not hesitate to call a lawyer as soon as you can.  Our skilled Anderson car accident attorneys are committed to helping accident victims obtain the full value of their claim and use every resource at our disposal to obtain the maximum available settlement or award. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA today.

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• 207 E. Calhoun St. Anderson, SC 29621
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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.