Legal Options Following a Car Accident
Over three million people in the U.S. are injured every year in car accidents. This includes auto accidents involving both private drivers and drivers of rideshare vehicles, like Uber and Lyft vehicles. If you suffered injuries in a car accident, please contact a skilled car accident attorney now for help. You have legal options at your disposal, including filing a personal injury claim and/or an auto accident lawsuit.
1.Can You File an Injury Claim After a Car Accident?
Most often, yes. If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you can usually file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Injury victims often get the name of the at-fault driver’s insurer while still at the accident scene. If you did not, you can contact the other driver and ask for his/her insurer’s name and contact information. If the driver is not complying with your requests, you can consult with an auto accident attorney for help.
Once you know the correct insurance company, you can contact the insurer and go about the steps for filing a claim. One of the most important steps is to file a demand letter and support it with as much credible evidence that you can find. This evidence includes:
- Photos of the accident scene,
- Photos of your injury,
- Witness statements,
- Medical records,
- Photos of your vehicle, and
- Any police report.
You will eventually negotiate with a claims adjuster to try and reach a fair settlement. Keep in mind that it is usually not in your best interests to accept a quick and lowball settlement offer. Rather, keep your cool and try and make a counteroffer. Please know that you can always hire an auto accident lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.
2.Can You File a Lawsuit After an Accident?
Usually, yes. If you are not successful in filing an injury claim, you usually have the option to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. You bring the suit in civil court. Please note that filing a lawsuit involves many crucial steps, and there are often time constraints on completing these steps. For these reasons, it is often best to file a suit with the help of an injury lawyer. A lawyer will also help you maximize your final payout.
As with an injury claim, you will have to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent in causing the accident. This just means showing that the motorist failed to drive as a reasonable and cautious driver under the same circumstances. You can often make this showing by relying on the same evidence mentioned above.
Note that a successful suit or claim can result in compensation for such things as:
- Medical bills and medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Future lost earning capacity,
- Property damage, and
- Pain and suffering.
Contact Premier Injury Law Firm for Help
If you or a loved one was injured in a car or rideshare accident, please know that the Premier Injury Law Firm is here to help. Our legal team is skilled, experienced, and passionate in their representation. Let us shoulder the burden of an injury claim or lawsuit while you focus on healing from your injuries. Contact us today for the quality legal help you deserve.