If you’ve been in a car accident, you may be facing a long road to recovery. Not only do you have to deal with the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident, but you also have to deal with the practicalities of repairs, missed work, and medical bills. It’s a lot to handle, and that’s where a car accident lawyer can help.
But as an injured car accident victim, you may be asking: what do car accident lawyers do?
Car accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with all aspects of a car accident claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies. They can also help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?
If you are considering hiring a car accident lawyer, it is important to understand what they can and cannot do for you. Car accident lawyers typically fall into one of two categories: plaintiff lawyers and defense lawyers.
Plaintiff lawyers represent people who have been injured in car accidents and are seeking compensation from the other driver or vehicle owner. Defense lawyers represent drivers or vehicle owners who have been sued by someone who was injured in a car accident.
Here’s a look at some of the ways a plaintiff car accident lawyer can help you after an accident.
Investigate Your Accident
The first step in any car accident case is to investigate the accident and gather evidence. This includes things like talking to witnesses, taking pictures of the scene, and reviewing any available video footage. We also obtain police reports and medical records. All of this evidence is important in understanding how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Interview Witnesses and Consult with Experts
When it comes to car accident lawsuits, eyewitnesses are incredibly important. They can provide key testimony about what happened leading up to and during the accident. This testimony can be used to help determine who was at fault and how much compensation should be awarded.
In some cases, witnesses may even be able to testify about a driver’s state of mind leading up to the accident. This information can be critical in helping car accident victims receive the compensation they deserve.
One of the most important aspects of any car accident lawsuit is having expert testimonies, such as those from accident reconstructionists or medical experts.
An accident reconstructionist can help to piece together what happened during the crash, and this information can be critical in order to prove liability. Having a strong team of legal professionals working on your case can make all the difference in whether or not you are successful.
Medical expert testimonies are also important for car accident lawsuits because they can help to determine the extent of the injuries that were sustained in the accident. This information is important for establishing how much money should be awarded to the victim in compensation. Additionally, medical experts can also help to determine whether or not the victim’s injuries are permanent, which can also impact the amount of money that is awarded.
Witnesses and experts play a critical role in car accident lawsuits. They can provide information about what happened before, during, and after the accident. This information can help car accident lawyers like us to build a case and prove that the other driver was at fault.
Sue Responsible Parties for Damages
As car accident lawyers, one of our main responsibilities is to sue the responsible parties for damages.
After thoroughly investigating a car crash and gathering evidence to prove that the other party was at fault, we work to calculate the full extent of damages, including both immediate expenses such as medical bills and car repairs as well as long-term costs such as lost wages and pain and suffering. We then file a lawsuit against the responsible parties and their insurance companies and fight to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our clients are compensated for their losses and can move forward from their accidents. We know how overwhelming car accidents can be, which is why we strive to handle all the legal challenges so that our clients can focus on their recovery.
Negotiate a Settlement and/or Try Your Case in Court
In many cases, car accident lawyers are able to negotiate settlements with insurance companies without having to go to trial. However, as Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, we are prepared to take your case to court if necessary in order to get you the full amount of compensation you deserve.
When insurance companies know that we are prepared to take your case to trial, they are often more likely to make higher settlement offers. We will never settle for less than what you deserve, and we will fight hard to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
If a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take the case to court and fight for our clients’ rights. With over 27 years of experience in motor vehicle accident claims, and with multiple Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorneys on our team, we strive to exceed the highest standards of excellence in our practice, and employ team litigation to service our clients with our combined knowledge and experience.
In short, we’re confident in the courtroom, and our clients are, too.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our fees will vary depending on the severity of the accident and injuries, the amount of damage to the vehicle, the complexity of the case, and more case details.
Our firm also advances all expenses related to the case, such as filing fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and more. This way, our clients never have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses.
Perhaps most importantly, the contingency fee structure also means that we do not get paid unless we win your case. This can help car accident victims because they do not have to worry about paying a lawyer upfront.
Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Only you can answer this question for yourself.
If you’ve been in a minor accident with no injuries and minimal damage to your vehicle, it’s probably not necessary to hire a lawyer. However, if you’ve been seriously injured or your car was totaled, it’s important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to find out what your options are and how much compensation you may be entitled to.
Additionally, if the other driver was at fault and is refusing to pay, you may need to take legal action in order to get the compensation you deserve. In this case, it’s important to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side who can help you navigate the legal system and get the best possible outcome for your case.
Another variable to consider is whether your car accident is considered work-related or not. If so, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation, meaning that you should speak to a car accident attorney or law firm that specializes in both personal injury and workers’ compensation, like Kotlar, Hernandez & Cohen.
How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer for Your Case
When it comes to finding the best car accident lawyer, it’s important to do your research.
Start by seeking recommendations from personal contacts, as well as online reviews and ratings from reputable sources. Once you have a few options in mind, schedule initial consultations with each lawyer to determine how well they listen and understand your case, their level of expertise and success rate in similar cases, how they plan to approach your case, and how much it will cost.
It’s also important to feel comfortable and confident in the lawyer’s abilities, as you’ll likely be working together for several months or even years. Don’t be afraid to meet with multiple lawyers before making a decision.
Selecting not only the top-rated car accident lawyer or firm, but the one that you have the best connection with, can make all the difference in a successful outcome for your case.
Kotlar, Hernandez & Cohen: New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers
At Kotlar, Hernandez & Cohen – The People First Lawyers, we have plenty of experience helping car accident victims with their car accident claims, and our personal injury attorneys may be able to help you file a claim for compensation. We work tirelessly for our clients to ensure you receive the financial compensation and justice you deserve. With multiple Board-Certified Civil Trial attorneys on our team, we are well-equipped to handle your case.
If you were seriously injured in a car accident in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, please contact our team of car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation or call us 24/7 at (856) 751-7676.
José W. Hernandez, Partner
José is Board-Certified by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a select group of attorneys who have successfully handled cases that resulted in a recovery of $1 million or more for their clients.