Even a minor car wreck can be frightening, annoying, and inconvenient. However, a severe accident could result in lasting injuries, missed work, the need to replace your vehicle, and more. That is why Oklahoma requires drivers to carry liability coverage to cover expenses when at fault in an accident.
When you are hurt in a car crash, the responsible party should pay for your injuries and any other losses you have. Their insurance company should settle for a fair amount. However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses and are not concerned with whether you receive the funds you need. A Lawton car accident lawyer at AMA Law could work for you, maximizing your damages award and putting you in the best possible position after an accident. Call our office today to schedule your free consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney.
Most people do not consider themselves litigious. They go through their lives without ever filing a lawsuit. So, they may not know how to respond when dealing with unfair settlement offers. They wonder if getting a lawyer is escalating things—it is not.
Insurance companies have plenty of lawyers so that adjusters can access legal advice. They are also big companies that hold the power in a relationship. An injured person who retains legal counsel is not escalating a conflict—they are righting an uneven playing field.
Enlisting the help of a Lawton car accident attorney does not mean a person must file a lawsuit. Instead, it gives injured parties a more powerful negotiating position. That makes a fair settlement far more likely. Plus, it puts an injured person in a better position if they need to go to court.
After an auto collision, an injured person may have difficulty explaining why the other party was at fault. Lawyers help with that process. They investigate the circumstances of the wreck, using witness statements, photographs, videos, police reports, and other available evidence to understand the events. They may hire accident reconstruction specialists or independent adjusters to recreate the crash. They then use this evidence to demonstrate fault, first to insurance companies and then— when necessary—to the court.
Damage valuation is another essential attorney function. They examine an injured party’s medical records to determine:
They combine these factors with the injured person’s personal information—earning capacity, age, marital status, etc.—to estimate the payments needed to make them whole.
Proactive lawyers also look for sources of money. An injured party may sue the other driver in an auto accident, but they are really suing their insurance company. Most drivers do not have substantial assets, making insurance the primary means of recovery. So, legal professionals look for all insurance policies that might cover the accident, including the plaintiff’s.
After collecting this information, a skilled car accident lawyer in Lawton is better prepared to negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement. They are already in a great position to initiate a lawsuit when that is impossible. As the discovery process reveals details, frequently, the insurer faces more pressure to settle the case rather than proceed with a trial.
Many people wait to hire an attorney until after they are frustrated by the settlement process. They enter negotiations believing that the settlement process will be fair and reasonable. However, the other party’s insurance adjuster does not work for them. Even the injured party’s own insurance adjuster does not work for them; they work for insurance companies and face pressure to keep settlements low and profits high.
Hiring a Lawton car wreck attorney early on ensures that an injured person does not accidentally say something that could make recovery more complex. For example, regardless of fault, many people apologize whenever something terrible happens. Apologizing about an accident to an insurance adjuster may look like an admission of fault. A well-practiced legal professional could advise a plaintiff to answer questions honestly without accepting blame.
There are many benefits to having legal representation while negotiating with insurance companies. The best thing to do is schedule a consultation to find out how an attorney can help you with your vehicle collision claim. During your consultation, the lawyer will listen to your version of the wreck, look at the evidence, and assess the merits of your claim. They will advise you if you have a good claim and provide you with a potential settlement range. Then, you can decide whether to hire representation or proceed independently. Ready to get started? Schedule your free initial consultation with a Lawton car accident lawyer at AMA Law today.