It may seem obvious to you that you were not the one at fault a car accident, but that fact may not be so apparent to the insurance company or to the court. Fault or lack thereof must be proven, and it must be proven properly within the confines of the law.
Having an attorney on your side is not always required, but it can help. How can an attorney assist in showing you were not at fault for a car accident?
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
Knowledge of the Law
When you hire an attorney, you are hiring a professional of the law. You have a certain burden of proof to meet when attempting to secure certain damages and attorneys know what type of evidence to submit and how much is enough.
They also know about rules of evidence and how to get the proof in. You cannot simply hand over documents to the court and assume the court will take it. You have to introduce it following civil procedures. Unless you have extensive background in evidentiary procedures, you may want to have a professional do the work for you.
Getting the Evidence Together
You also need to have everything lined up and ready to go when it is time to present your evidence. An attorney can assist you in making sure you have police reports, footage from nearby surveillance cameras, if there were any around, phone records and witness reports.
If needed, an attorney can assist you in lining up depositions for witnesses to make sure you have their testimony locked up and to ensure no surprises occur at trial.
They know what type of evidence works best and will able to help weed through the items you do not need to find the proof you do need to win your claim.
Lining up the Professionals
Attorneys can also line up the professionals to assist in your case. If you have a car accident that could potentially be difficult to prove, the firm may be able to find a professional who specializes in accident reconstruction to explain the chain of events that lead to your injuries.
If you need to prove future income loss or pain and suffering damages, the attorney could find an expert witness to testify as to your losses and how much your injuries will affect your case.
It takes much more than your past paycheck to show future income, and an expert witness can give that extra element of credibility to your case.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you have been involved in a car accident but are not sure if hiring an attorney is the best way to go, you should always at least contact an attorney’s office for a free consultation to discuss your questions and concerns. He or she will be able to look at your situation, evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
