Unexpected vehicle accidents can turn your life upside down. There are injuries to consider as well as the long term financial consequences. It can all seem too hard to deal with. On top of all that you may be harassed by the other driver’s lawyer.
You may have thought that the accident was clear cut and you were not t blame, but you may find that you have now been accused of being at fault. If you have been injured, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your case and then only act on professional legal advice.
Tip#1: The Other Party’s Lawyer Should be Treated the Same way as Their Insurance Adjuster
It’s highly likely that you will be contacted by the other driver’s insurance adjuster or lawyer representing the driver who you think caused your accident. This may happen even before you file a claim against the driver.
Whatever the circumstances, it is strongly advised that you do not talk to the other side’s lawyer; just as it is equally strongly advised that you do not communicate with their insurance adjuster either. Both these two individuals may act swiftly and catch you off guard.
You may be enticed into making comments and opinions that you later regret. These individuals are working to help their own client, not you. Tell them to contact your own attorney only.
Tip#2: Evidence is the Only Way You Can Prove That the Other Driver Was at Fault
In many accidents, there may only be two people involved, the person who is injured and the person whose actions led to the accident and subsequent injury. If no-one else was present, then it may be your word as the injured party against the other driver’s.
It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain compensation from the other diver’s insurer unless you have sufficient supporting evidence in the way of photos and witnesses.
It will certainly make your chances better if you try and obtain useful evidence at the time of the accident. If you have been badly injured, then you may be able to ask someone else to do this for you. The other party’s lawyer will no doubt try and find out what evidence you have available.
Again, don’t talk to them or divulge anything. Refer them to your own lawyer.
Tip#3: Act Quickly if You Choose to File a Personal Injury Claim
While injuries must be attended to as the first priority, it will help you in the long run if you " take legal action against an at-fault driver or other party as soon as possible. The later you leave it, the more likely that crucial evidence will be missing; witnesses will be harder to find and you may even start forgetting exactly what happened yourself.
In any case, a personal injury claim must have filed within a state determined period after the accident, usually 2 to 3 years. The other party’s lawyer will attempt to pour doubt on your evidence and account, and this will be easier to accomplish if your account is less convincing because you have delayed legal action.
Tip#4: Talk To a Personal Injury Attorney As Soon As You Can
It is unlikely you will have such a good chance of securing the level of compensation you need if you simply try and negotiate with the at-fault party’s lawyer and insurance adjuster by yourself. They have plenty of experience in dealing with these sorts of situations and this can work to your disadvantage.
A personal injury attorney on the other hand will be experienced in negotiating in these situations and armed with the evidence that you are able to jointly obtain will have a much better chance of winning a satisfactory compensation payment.
