Learn How Bills Get Paid From an Automobile Accident Law Firm

Evidence can be used to prove who was at fault in a car accident and the severity of damages, aiding you in your efforts to win a personal injury lawsuit. The types of evidence you should collect depend on the nature of the accident, but at a minimum, you should take photographs of the accident scene. If possible, take pictures immediately after the accident and be sure to get photographs from as many angles as possible. The insurance companies and court officials will use these pictures to illustrate the accident scene as they try to determine the facts of the incident. 

In your photographs, make sure that you capture images of everything that may be relevant to the accident, such as skid marks and traffic control devices such as stop signs or traffic lights. You should also take pictures of the vehicles that were involved in the accident, as the damage left on the vehicles can provide useful insight to insurers and court officials. 

Beyond photographs, you should also gather information from witnesses who saw the accident. Neutral witnesses, like other drivers or pedestrians, may be a crucial contributor to your case. If possible, try to get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident itself or anything that happened prior to the accident.

After a car accident, the first thing you should do is call 911. Regardless of whether there are any injuries or damage immediately noted, you should have an officer document the accident in a police report. Once the police arrive, they will conduct a minor investigation to determine who was at fault in the accident. Their discoveries may be used to help you acquire a personal injury settlement.

Lafayette Police Department

If you suffer any injury in a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately after the accident. After you have been treated, request your medical records. Your records will be used by insurers and the court to determine how much you should be granted in a personal injury settlement. A car accident injury lawyer will need these records to help you form your case.

There are two types of car accident claims you can file; a first-party claim, which is filed through your insurance company; and a third-party claim, which is filed through the insurance of another driver. Regardless of the type of claim you’re filing, you or your automobile accident law firm needs to reach out to the insurance company as soon as possible to get the claims process moving forward. 

If you’re filing a third party insurance claim, you may be asked for the following information:

• The insured driver’s full name
• Their policy number
• The start and end date of their insurance policy
• The time and date of the incident
• License and license plate numbers for all involved drivers
• A basic description of the accident

Once you are in the physical condition to do so, you will need to draft a letter that explains why you are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party or their insurer. This letter will reference medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses that were a result of the incident. A car accident injury lawyer can help you produce an effective letter. 

After you’ve completed all of the prior steps, you should be ready to begin negotiations with the insurance company. An auto accident attorney can approach the insurance company with any evidence you have collected and argue on your behalf to compel the company to offer you a fair settlement. If you do not have an automobile accident law firm, you’ll need to handle negotiations on your own. 

Once you’ve negotiated, the insurance company will normally offer you a cash settlement. If the settlement isn’t as high as you expected, you may wish to go to trial to claim a more reasonable payment. If you are uncomfortable with the amount the insurance offers you, don’t hesitate to contact an automobile accident law firm. They understand how to navigate the personal injury and property damage claim cases and can help get you a better deal.