How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You Maximize Your Damages?
The most common cause of death in the US for people aged 1-44 is unintentional injuries—about 58,000 people are killed annually according to the CDC. The numbers for injuries caused by car accidents is even higher at a staggering 2.3 million in 2021. If you've been in a car accident that wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and losses. In fact, the total monetary cost of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2022 - including fatalities, injuries, and property damage - was over $10 million.
With stakes this high, hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is crucial to help ensure you receive the maximum settlement or judgment possible. Here's how a good attorney can help maximize your accident damages.
Calculate Special Damages
Special damages refer to your quantifiable monetary losses from the accident. These include medical bills, property damage, lost wages and other expenses.
Your car accident attorney will thoroughly document all your special damages and present them clearly to the insurance company or court. They'll make sure you are fully reimbursed for every penny you paid because of the other driver's negligence.
Maximize General Damages
General damages cover your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Because these losses can't be precisely calculated, your lawyer's negotiating and litigation skills are crucial for getting you the highest general damages possible.
An experienced attorney will highlight the full extent of your physical and emotional suffering. They may retain medical experts to evaluate your injuries and provide evidence justifying a higher general damages amount. The goal is to convince the insurance company or jury to award maximum compensation for your pain, trauma, disfigurement, or disability.
Pursue Multiple Sources of Recovery
There may be multiple sources you can recover damages from after an accident. Beyond the at-fault driver's insurance, you may be able to get compensation from your own insurer, other drivers' policies, or through personal injury lawsuits.
A resourceful attorney will identify all potential sources of damages and develop a strategy for maximizing your total recovery amount. They may negotiate with multiple insurers or file lawsuits against other liable parties besides just the negligent driver.
Act Quickly to Preserve Evidence
Time is of the essence after an accident. Your attorney will immediately send preservation letters requesting that relevant evidence like vehicles, surveillance footage, medical records, etc. be secured.
Prompt evidence collection prevents important proof of liability and damages from being lost or destroyed. It lays the groundwork for getting you the maximum settlement later on.
Negotiate Effectively with Insurance Companies
Insurance carriers often make lowball offers hoping injured victims will accept less than they deserve. Your lawyer will not let this happen.
They'll tenaciously negotiate on your behalf to push for the largest realistic settlement. If the insurer remains unreasonable, an aggressive litigator won't hesitate to take your case to trial and fight for maximum damages there.
Don't leave money on the table after a car accident. Hire an experienced attorney to protect your rights and maximize your compensation. A skilled car accident lawyer has the knowledge and resources to help you fully recover all your damages.
