Motor vehicles accidents are an unfortunate, but common occurrence on the roads these days. If you are involved in a car accident, you will need to follow a number of steps to lodge a motor vehicle accident claim. Hiring a compensation lawyer can help make sure you have a strong case and you have someone to consult with regarding any questions or concerns you may have throughout the process.
Read on to learn more about how a compensation lawyer can help with your motor vehicle accident claim.
Seeking compensation
When you are involved in a car accident, there are a number of things you can claim compensation for depending on how serious the accident was and if you sustained injuries from it. A compensation lawyer can help by discussing your case with you and advising you on what will be able to successfully claim.
If you are seriously injured you will need to begin a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims require submitting a number of documents and you must also provide evidence to support your claim (e.g. medical reports/bills, payslips, photographs, etc.). A compensation lawyer can help you through this whole process and make sure you do not have to endure more stress during the aftermath of your car accident.
Determining fault
A compensation lawyer can help you determine if you are at fault if the other driver does not assume fault of the accident immediately. Do not assume fault if you are unsure or feeling pressured into it. If you have any doubts about who is responsible, speak with your compensation lawyer so that they can assess your situation and give you a professional opinion.
Your compensation lawyer may require you to gather evidence to help them determine who is at fault. It is a good idea, if you are able, to take some photographs of the damage immediately after the accident and collect details from witnesses who were present at the time of the collision.
Handling insurance companies
A compensation lawyer can help you handle dealings with insurance companies as often they can try to avoid providing you adequate coverage by denying liability. Avoid being given the runaround by having a compensation lawyer handle these matters. A compensation lawyer can help by giving you advice on how to speak with the insurance company and what documents you need to provide in order to prove who was at fault.
Hiring a compensation lawyer can also help make sure you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies by being pressured into agreeing with a settlement that does not fairly compensate you for the consequences of the car accident.
Ongoing support
Your compensation lawyer will be able to provide you with support throughout each step of the motor vehicle accident claim process. This means making sure you are aware of deadlines, submitting each form correctly with the right documentation and emotionally supporting you through the process.
Your best chance of a successful claim will be to have an experienced professional handling your claim from the beginning. You can also avoid pursuing a weak claim by consulting with a compensation lawyer before you begin taking legal action. An experienced compensation lawyer will be able to give you a good idea of what your chances of success are and whether it is in your best interest to pursue the claim.
What you can claim for
A compensation lawyer can advise you on what you can claim for and how to prove that you have suffered financial loss due to the incident. If you are making a personal injury claim, compensation usually covers:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Loss of earnings (past and future)
- Physical and psychological suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Cost of domestic care
A compensation lawyer can help you determine what you are entitled to and how to make a successful claim that shows evidence of these losses. Do your research and choose an experienced compensation lawyer who has dealt with similar cases, as this will ensure that your case is handled by the best person.
No win, no fees
Do not be discouraged from seeking legal help by the thought of costly legal fees. Many compensation lawyers offer a no win, no fee guarantee which means you do not have to pay any legal fees upfront, and any fees that you do incur are handled after your case has been settled. The amount of legal fees you incur will be dependent on whether your case is successful or not.
Give yourself the best chance of making a successful motor vehicle accident claim by contacting Schreuders for a free consultation.