When people get hurt due to the negligence of others, it may be possible to seek compensation. Some may choose to seek damages on their own, which is possible. However, there are some instances where consulting with an accident attorney is critical.
Disputes
Depending on the type of accident or the other driver’s side of the story, the claimant’s insurance company or the other driver’s insurer may try to dispute the claim. For example, cases involving multi-vehicle collisions can present complex liability issues. Accident cases involving defective vehicles or components can also be highly complex, requiring investigations and testimony by experts such as design engineers and auto safety specialists.
An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney will know how to address these issues and have the resources needed to obtain vital evidence.
Severe injury
The amount of compensation a party may receive significantly can vary considerably depending upon the type of injury that results from the accident. Along with the type of injury, there are additional factors that the court considers, such as:
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Recovery time
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
Attorneys are skilled at painting a picture in favor of their clients. As such, a good attorney will be able to help solidify the severity of the claimant’s injuries to demand for a large settlement or jury award.
Disability
Accidents that create disabilities can have lifelong consequences. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, the plaintiff’s attorney often employs one or more experts:
Life care planner — This professional can identify all of the medical care, rehabilitation services, and personal services the injured person will need for the remainder of his or her life. This assistance can often make a huge difference in the person’s quality of life.
Vocational specialist — This expert can help a jury understand the extent to which the accident has affected the injured person’s earning capacity.
Economist — This professional can determine the net present value of the injured person’s income that will be lost as a result of the accident. An economist often works with an actuarial specialist who can determine the injured person’s life expectancy at the time of the accident.
As you can see, car accident cases involving serious injuries can be highly complex. An experienced personal injury attorney will have the financial resources, professional resources, and administrative skills needed to coordinate all of the moving parts of the case.
The attorney’s goal will be to maximize the compensation the injured person receives. Since personal injury attorneys work on contingency, there are no out-of-pocket cost to the accident victim, and he or she will owe an attorney fee only if compensation is awarded
By retaining an attorney, the injured person has nothing to lose — and a lot to gain.