You are an alert and conscientious driver. When on the road, you put safety first and do your utmost to minimize the risk of collision. This is not always enough. Unsafe drivers are a constant on the roads of Texas. And if you have been injured in an accident because of the recklessness, negligence, or inattention of the other driver, you should get the compensation you deserve. A Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney can assist you in maximizing your settlement from the often difficult and aggressive insurance companies.
What to do After a Car Accident
A car accident is a sudden, jolting, and violent event. It can leave you dazed and confused. Once you have regained your senses, you should check yourself and your passengers for serious injuries. You should then call 911 so that you receive medical attention immediately. Even if you feel perfectly fine, you should always receive medical attention in order to rule out the possibility of future medical issues and also to have on record that you received medical attention directly after your car accident.
When the ambulance arrives, you should have yourself transported to the emergency room for an examination and treatment by a physician. You should ensure that the results of the examination and the course of treatment you have undergone are properly documented.
As you recover, you will need to think about your future. You should call a car accident attorney as soon you are up to it.
Why You Need a Lawyer
You should call a lawyer before you file an insurance claim. It is important to remember that the sole concern of the insurance company is its revenue and profit; your lawyer will be the only one looking out for your interests and will advise you of your rights as a policy holder.
If it becomes clear that the accident was caused by the other driver, their insurance company will attempt to contact you. They may even make a low-dollar settlement offer. They will do this to stave off any future claims you may make. Insurance companies know that most people are willing to take the cash they offered rather than fight them for more money. You should make no decisions until your car accident attorney has had a chance to review the settlement offer. Indeed, you should refer all correspondence and communication concerning the matter to your lawyer. You don’t want to do or say anything that will undermine your case against them.
If the money offered by the insurance company compensates you for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, your lawyer may advise you to accept it. However, if you have been seriously injured in the crash and the money offered comes nowhere near meeting your expenses and losses, then your attorney will need to press the insurance company for a larger settlement.
The Consequences of a Serious Accident
A serious car accident can put you on your back for months. You may be forced to undergo a range of invasive procedures to restore your health. You will then need to spend more time in physical therapy. All this costs money. And if your injuries are bad enough, you may be required to give up your livelihood.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Serious injuries require a serious response. As you go through the healing and recovery process, your lawyer will sit down with you and figure out your future expected medical costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. These are concrete things that can be demonstrated with facts and figures.
Your lawyer will make a case for damages based on the pain and suffering you have had to endure. You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the driver who caused the accident was especially reckless or malicious. The latter may be proven through eyewitness accounts, which may include cell phone video coverage of the accident.
Once your car accident lawyer has gathered all the facts, they will go back to the insurance company with a demand. The case need not go to trial. The insurance company may decide to offer you a settlement that is commensurate with all that you have endured rather than risk a jury decision.
Call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
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