In the aftermath of a severe wreck, it’s only natural to feel uncertain, confused and stressed about what is to come. Even a minor accident can strain your finances and immensely affect your physical and mental health. Understandably, you might feel in no condition to tackle the hard work of healing, let alone start contemplating the challenging task of building a strong personal injury claim.
Fortunately, when you sit down with an attorney, he or she can give you much-needed answers that will provide clarity in the weeks ahead. However, you won’t have to wait until your first meeting to get insight into the claims process.
Let’s look at a few important stages of building a personal injury claim:
1. Meeting with a Personal Injury Lawyer
In some situations, it might not be necessary to hire an attorney. For instance, if you didn’t suffer a severe injury and/or incur any significant expenses because of the wreck, you may be able to oversee the subsequent negotiations yourself. However, if your condition is severe and your losses are adding up to thousands of dollars, it might be time to pick up the phone.
An attorney can meet with you to answer your questions, discuss the merits of your case, and explain how he or she might approach building your claim. If you choose to hire them, they will handle any necessary logistics such as investigating the wreck, communicating with the insurer, and representing you throughout negotiations.
2. Investigating the Accident
To prevail in a personal injury claim, you will need to provide compelling evidence to demonstrate liability, causation, and damages. For example, eyewitness statements, surveillance camera footage, and photographs from the accident scene can help establish who was responsible for causing the collision. Your medical records can help connect your injuries to the wreck and invoices can outline the costs you’ve incurred as a direct result of the crash.
Typically, your attorney will help gather such proof as part of their investigation into what happened. They may also consult with expert witnesses if necessary. For instance, if it’s unclear who caused the wreck, your lawyer may bring in an accident reconstructionist to review evidence and piece together the events of that fateful day.
3. Negotiating a Settlement
Once you’ve filed your claim, the insurer may be willing to start negotiating compensation. However, as the claims adjuster will be incentivized to protect their bottom line, you should expect them to dispute aspects of your case in a bid to reduce how much they must pay out. You may have to counter their offer multiple times to ensure you receive a fair sum. If negotiations end in a stalemate—i.e., the insurance company is unwilling to agree to a reasonable settlement—you might be left with no other option than to file a lawsuit.
4. Filing a Lawsuit
While most personal injury claims are settled outside of court, there’s always a chance that you might have to go to trial to secure a favorable outcome. Proceedings are notoriously unpredictable, and some cases can drag on for weeks or even months before a verdict is reached.
Fortunately, if you hire an attorney with significant trial experience, you can rest assured that your case is in safe hands. He or she can advocate for you in court, doing everything in their power to help you obtain compensation.
Discuss Your Case with a Texas Car Accident Attorney
Were you hurt in an accident involving a reckless or negligent driver? Turn to the attorneys at Hilliard Law to discuss your options. We can give insights into how your claim might unfold to ensure you are adequately prepared at each step of proceedings. Dial (361) 882-1612 or jump to our contact form HERE to request a free case review with a Texas car accident attorney.