O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | April 16, 2024 | Car Accident
A car accident lawyer plays a critical role in navigating the complex legal landscape following a car accident. Your lawyer can help with the claims process while negotiating on your behalf and protecting your best interests. At every step, your lawyer protects you against insurance company tactics while building the strongest case possible.
If your accident only involved property damage or minor injuries, you may not need a lawyer. Otherwise, a car accident lawyer can help you recover more money to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Here’s a more in-depth look at the many roles of a car accident lawyer.
The Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, the car accident lawyer will review the details of your case, including reviewing any accident reports, medical records, and other documents you bring. This is a critical step in assessing the strength of your claim and understanding the specific circumstances of your case. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of the lawyer’s experience and approach to similar cases.
This consultation is typically offered free of charge. After the case review, you’ll have a better idea of the unique challenges in your case and how the lawyer would approach it.
Provides Legal Advice
A key responsibility of a car accident lawyer is to provide legal advice tailored to your specific situation. This includes interpreting complex legal jargon to make it understandable and advising you on the best course of action to take.
Your lawyer will guide you through each step of the insurance claims process and help you make informed decisions that are in your best interest. They’ll also offer counsel on whether it’s more advantageous to settle out of court or to pursue a lawsuit.
An experienced lawyer’s guidance can also prevent you from making mistakes that may damage your case such as giving a recorded statement or certain social media posts.
Gathers Evidence
A critical aspect of a car accident lawyer’s role is to meticulously gather evidence to support your claim.
This often means an in-depth investigation into the accident that may involve:
- Visiting the accident scene
- Analyzing police accident reports
- Gathering witness statements
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
This investigation will help your accident lawyer identify any parties who may be liable for your damages. It’s also crucial to gather evidence that proves causation, or why the accident happened, and the other party’s negligence.
Common evidence includes:
- Photographs of the scene
- Physical evidence
- Accident reports
- Citations
- Witness statements
- Medical records
Truck driver and maintenance logs can be valuable evidence if your accident involved a truck. Subpoenaed cell phone records, dash cam footage, and traffic cam footage may also be useful.
A comprehensive approach to collecting evidence is essential to building a strong case. This evidence will be used to document your damages and support your claim for compensation.
Works With Different Experts
A car accident lawyer often collaborates with various experts. These professionals can provide expert testimony to prove certain elements of your case.
Experts who may be called to help with your case include:
- Medical specialists – detailed insights into your injuries and their long-term implications
- Economists or vocational rehabilitation experts – complex financial losses you’ve sustained or might face in the future, like lost earning capacity
- Accident reconstruction specialists – scientific analysis of how your accident happened and critical factors like speeding
- Engineers and technical experts – technical insight into the cause of a crash or failure of a vehicle component
Working with experts ensures your case is supported by authoritative opinions. This strengthens your lawyer’s legal argument and helps you recover the full compensation you deserve.
Negotiates On Your Behalf
Perhaps one of the most important roles a car accident lawyer will play in your case is negotiating on your behalf. This involves strategic discussions with the insurance company’s representatives and possibly other parties liable for your damages. An experienced lawyer uses the evidence collected and a strong legal argument to advocate for your right to a fair settlement.
Negotiations can be complex and drawn out, but a skilled lawyer keeps your best interests at the forefront. Their goal is to resolve your claim as efficiently and favorably as possible. Your lawyer will not encourage you to accept a settlement offer that they do not believe is fair.
Litigates Your Case Before a Jury
If negotiations with the insurance company do not result in a fair settlement, your car accident lawyer is prepared to take your case to court. This step involves filing a lawsuit, preparing legal documents, and presenting your case before a jury.
If your case proceeds to this stage, your lawyer will:
- File pretrial motions
- Take depositions
- Question witnesses
- Submit evidence
You will be prepared for court and guided through every step.
Even if your lawyer recommends proceeding to a lawsuit, negotiations are likely to continue. The discovery process allows both sides to learn more about the other side’s position and evidence. This often sparks new rounds of negotiations.
A skilled lawyer navigates the complex legal system on your behalf while advocating for your best interests at every turn. Hiring a car accident lawyer can significantly increase your chance of securing fair compensation for your injuries. This is particularly true if you are being blamed for your accident.
Contact The Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers At O’Brien & Ford PC For Help Today
For more information, please contact the Buffalo car accident lawyers at O’Brien & Ford PC to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer. We have a convenient office location in Buffalo, NY.
We proudly serve all throughout Erie County and the state of New York.
O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
4549 Main St, Suite 201
Buffalo, New York, 14226
(716) 222-2222
https://obrienandford.com/