Why do you need an attorney after a wreck? Here are seven important ways an accident lawyer can help you after a crash in Mississippi.
Much of what follows can also apply to other types of accidents, like trip & fall claims or even hunting and fishing accidents.
1. Determine If You Have a Claim
Being involved in an accident does not automatically mean you have a viable personal injury claim. A good accident attorney will review the details of your situation and determine whether it makes sense to retain an attorney.
For example, I will visit with you, evaluate your case and explain your legal rights at no charge and no obligation. If we do not believe you have a strong case, we will tell you this directly. If another attorney is a better fit for your situation, we will help you find that person. We do not get paid unless our clients do!
2. Conduct a Thorough Investigation
After an accident, it is not always obvious what happened, and it can be very important to conduct a thorough investigation quickly to establish who is legally at fault. We know what evidence needs to be documented and preserved, and how to build a winning claim.
3. Calculate the Value of Your Claim
After an accident of any kind, an injured person may be entitled to more compensation than they realize. In addition to immediate expenses, such as medical bills, prescription costs, and other out-of-pocket losses, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and more.
You deserve compensation for both current and future losses. A knowledgeable accident lawyer understands the hardships someone experiences after an injury and will fight for the compensation that is owed.
4. Determine Who May Be Held Liable
Liability in a car crash can be complicated. In some cases, an at-fault driver may claim that you were partially or fully responsible. This may cause the insurance company to offer far less than you deserve or offer nothing.
Mississippi is a pure comparative fault state. If evidence shows you were partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. Money on the table that belongs to you.
Some crashes also involve more than one responsible party. Truck accident cases, for example, may involve negligence by the truck driver, trucking company, or others responsible for the safe operation of vehicles and/or the loads they carry.
We understand how to determine and prove liability and pursue the maximum compensation available.
5. Apply Knowledge of Mississippi Law
It is understandable that people are surprised by the laws and contractual obligations that apply to their insurance claims, they’re really complicated. A lawyer will identify the laws and insurance issues that apply in your case and use this knowledge to help you. We won’t let an insurance company “play possum” with your money!
After a serious injury, your focus should be on healing, not the maize of “you know what” our lawyers are trained to cut through. Personal injury claims involve strict rules and deadlines. An attorney knows how to navigate the process and build a compelling case well within the time periods required.
6. Deal With the Insurance Company
Having an advocate deal with the insurance company is often the most important reason to hire a lawyer. While you receive treatment and try to get your life back on track, the insurance company is likely working to undermine your claim.
Insurance companies are in business. Their goal is to protect their profits from you, not pay what you deserve. You may think answering every question will help move your settlement along. But the more you speak with an insurer, the greater the risk that your words will be used against you.
A car accident lawyer knows the tactics insurers use to delay, reduce, and deny valid claims. With an experienced attorney on your side, you have a stronger chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
7. Go to Court If Necessary
Most car accident claims will settle before a suit is filed, but sometimes they don’t. If your claim does not settle, you need an experienced litigator who can fight for your rights at the courthouse, and in a trial. This requires knowledge of the court system, the laws governing your claim, and the procedures involved in presenting a personal injury case.
We can help you decide whether going to court is in your best interests. If a lawsuit or trial is necessary, we are ready and willing to fight for just compensation on your behalf.
If you or someone you care about has been hurt in any type of accident, we want to hear your story.
Contact Roberts Wilson, P.A. online or at (662) 533-9111 for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We proudly serve clients throughout Mississippi and through our network of friends throughout the Southeast.
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