As most COVID-19 restrictions ease and traffic returns to pre-pandemic volumes, motor vehicle accidents are on the rise once again. While we all do our best to be responsible drivers, accidents do indeed happen. In the United States alone, an average person can expect to be involved in 3-4 car accidents during their lifetime一which is a sobering statistic. What should you do if this happens to you? In most cases, seeking legal counsel will ensure that you are completely taken care of in the event of a car accident.
Reasons You May Need an Accident Attorney
You Suffer Serious Injuries That Require Medical Care
The first situation in which you should absolutely hire an attorney for help following a car accident is when you suffer injuries. Some of the most common injuries that people suffer in a car accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including brain bleeds and skull fractures
- Femur fractures, tibia fractures, and other types of bone fractures
- Injuries of the knee, including a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which is commonly called dashboard knee
- Whiplash, which is another name for an upper cervical ligament sprain, which leads to issues moving the neck
In some cases, these injuries could even require surgery, overnight hospital stays, and even a stay in the ICU. In these situations, it is critical to work with a lawyer who can get you compensation to cover these medical bills.
Car accidents have an extremely high chance of resulting in injury to those involved. If you have acquired a serious injury in an accident, an attorney can help you to obtain compensation for medical coverage, lost wages, vehicle damages, and more. Keep in mind that serious injuries can include physical, mental, and emotional damages resulting from the accident.
Your attorney will ensure that proper procedures are followed in order for your serious injury claim to hold up in court. In addition, your accident attorney can be critical in obtaining your medical records and expenses, which are necessary to receive any compensation due to your accident. They will be the ones to play endless phone tag with doctors and providers to ensure that every last document is on hand and that the correct terminology is utilized to be viable in court. These actions are vital to a successful accident claim.
There Is a Dispute Over Whose Fault the Accident Is
If there is a dispute over the fault of the car accident and you find yourself needing to prove liability, a seasoned attorney is the sharpest tool to have at your side. They will be able to collect any necessary evidence and will often go the extra mile of visiting the scene of the accident themselves to take personal photos to contribute to the viability of the claim. Your accident attorney will also be able to use their knowledge of current liability laws to defend your claim from potentially conflicting reports and prove that you are not at fault.
In some cases, it is clear whose fault the accident is. In other cases, it might not be clear. Furthermore, there might be a dispute between the police report, the drivers, and the insurance companies involved. In this situation, you want to ensure that you are not blamed for an accident that is not your fault. Your insurance rates do not need to go up. Therefore, you need to enlist the help of an attorney who is going to fight for your rights and represent your best interest.
You Are Suffering From Emotional Trauma
A car accident is a traumatic event. Therefore, it is not unusual for people to end up with serious emotional distress following a motor vehicle collision. Some of the most common emotional distress examples include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and an inability to return to work or school. In this situation, you need to make sure that you rely on a trained legal professional’s guidance who can make sure that your rights are represented. Do not overlook the serious complications that can be created by emotional trauma following a motor vehicle accident. This is something that deserves to be taken seriously.
Additional Perks of Using a Car Accident Attorney
Your accident attorney is your biggest advocate. They are committed to ensuring that you receive every bit of the compensation you are due following your car accidentーand they are great at making it happen. Here are a few additional things that your attorney can handle on your behalf:
- Ensure that you meet any time limits constrained by Statutes of Limitations.
- Obtain, organize, and present all necessary evidence such as witness statements, police reports, insurance reports, photos of the scene, medical bills and records, manufacturer records, verifications of lost wages, etc.
- Take care of all the nitty-gritty, time-consuming processes and paperwork that follow an accident claim
- Perform aggressive negotiations with insurance companies, medical insurance agencies, etc. to pursue valid compensation on your behalf
- Managing and resolving any healthcare liens that impact how you will be reimbursed for your medical expenses
Car Accident Attorneys in Chicago
If you do not have prior experience navigating the maze of legalese surrounding car accident claims or do not have the desire to do so yourself, we are here to help. At Cooney & Conway, our results speak for themselves, and we take our role as your advocate in earnest. If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and are currently seeking counsel, we want to speak with you about how we can help.