No one wants to be in a car accident, but when it happens, everything will go more smoothly if you know what to do. While there are some things you should be doing immediately after a car accident, such as calling the police and an ambulance (if necessary), taking pictures, and getting the information of the other driver, there are things that should happen after these initial steps. Your car wreck lawyer in Jackson, Wyoming has important information that you need to know as you consider your options.
Ask a Car Wreck Lawyer in Jackson, Wyoming: Three Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Prove Someone Else Is Responsible?
It’s not uncommon for there to be a dispute about who is responsible for an accident. In some cases, there is incontrovertible evidence, but most of the time, things aren’t completely cut and dried. To get all the compensation you’re entitled to, you need a strong case, and a strong case is built on evidence. Your attorney will help you get the evidence you need, and most of it will be one of the following types:
Accident Reports
The police will make a report when they are called to the accident, and experienced officers are generally skilled at reconstructing what happened based on the final positions of the cars and other evidence at the scene. If someone at the scene was drunk or under the influence of drugs, the police will likely file charges or at least give the person a citation. This information can be used to improve the strength of your case.
Medical Records
Your medical records are a great way to show exactly what you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. They provide concrete evidence of your injuries, a way to showcase how the accident has changed your life for the worse, and put a dollar number on your losses in this particular area. These might not be all the losses you must be compensated for, but they are likely to be a major part.
Eyewitness Testimony
If any third parties observed the accident, their testimony could be invaluable to proving who was at fault. And human beings aren’t the only “third parties” your car wreck lawyer in Jackson, Wyoming will gather evidence from. Video of the crash, whether from dashcams, traffic cameras, or even security cameras from nearby buildings can give key evidence and an objective viewpoint.
Photos of the Crash
If you are not too badly injured, and if you’ve checked on the welfare of everyone else involved and have already called the authorities, it’s time to take pictures. Pictures of the crash scene can show the scene itself and the environment around it in a way that will help your lawyer reconstruct things or find evidence you might have missed.
Should I Settle or Go to Court?
Most car accident cases are resolved out of court, and that will usually give you the best result. Out-of-court cases are settled through negotiations, but these negotiations always go more smoothly and get a better result when you have a lawyer to help you. Never accept the first offer an insurance company gives you: remember that all insurance companies are incentivized to give you less than your case is worth, that they have time and money on their side, and that they have an army of skilled lawyers to call on to get an outcome that benefits them.
You need someone on your side with experience and skill. At the least, your lawyer can give you an idea of what your case is worth and whether you should accept an offer or pursue a court battle. While it’s much less common, there are times when car accident victims do have to go to court to get the compensation they are entitled to. In those cases, an experienced lawyer is indispensable.
What Will Happen In My First Meeting With a Lawyer?
Understanding Your Case
First, your lawyer needs to understand everything about the case. There will be questions about how it happened, what you did afterward, who was at fault, whether there were witnesses, what the police said, the extent of your injuries, and how the insurance companies have reacted so far. This information allows your lawyer to get an idea of the value of your case and give you sound counsel moving forward.
Establishing Your Medical Condition
Your lawyer will ask for details about your current medical situation, what doctors you’ve seen, and whether you’ve made any injury claims already. Be aware that some insurance companies won’t cover an accident if they aren’t notified of it within 24 hours. Of course, there could be mitigating circumstances, and your lawyer will help you with this, too.
Final Decision
Your lawyer will then help you understand whether or not to move forward with your claim. When you work with a trustworthy and experienced professional, you can be confident your lawyer will never suggest that you proceed with a case unless there’s a good chance you can win.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you need the help of a skilled lawyer with experience in car wreck cases. Working with a lawyer like this offers the best chance to get all the compensation you’re owed as quickly as possible.
