When you go through a serious auto accident that completely catches you off guard, you may be left feeling confused and unsure of how to act next. Your first instinct may be to explore your legal options and what steps you should take. Reaching out to a skilled auto accident attorney can help you shed light on the situation. One of the first questions you may ask them concerns how they will evaluate your case.
Collection of Evidence
A reputable and competent auto accident lawyer will gather information and collect all the necessary evidence to obtain a clear narrative of how the accident happened. They will get copies of the police report, medical report (if you received medical treatment), witness statements, and any photo or video evidence. After carefully evaluating the pieces of evidence they will calculate the damages and negotiate with the insurance company so that you can obtain a fair settlement.
Proving Negligence
Determining whether negligence played an important factor is a key part of auto accident investigations. Negligence refers to the careless or reckless actions caused by a defendant which results in injury to a victim. If there is evidence of negligence, a lawyer needs to find out how many parties were involved and who is at fault. There may be multiple people at fault, and in some cases the victim may have partial fault. Finding out if negligence occurred can be a sophisticated process, and the following elements must be established first: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and the victim’s losses.
Hiring Outside Professionals
There may be times when a lawyer may need the help of outside parties to assist with the investigation. An auto accident lawyer may decide to hire a private investigator, accountant, or other professional to expedite the investigation. The professional may specialize in an area that the lawyer lacks sufficient knowledge in. This is done to ensure that the lawyer obtains the most accurate information and assessment of the case.
Every day that passes where you don’t take action can result in added complexities to your case. With the help of a skilled auto accident lawyer, you may increase your chances of being able to recover full compensation. If another person caused the accident that resulted in your injury, don’t wait. There is limited time to act.
Contact a qualified auto accident attorney like one of our friends at Ward & Ward Law Firm can help you shed light on the situation. They can explain to you your legal rights.
