The time that passes following a car accident is lost. Your hands are shaking. Your neck hurts. There is a questioning police officer. Then it is followed by the insurance calls. You are suddenly in situations where you have to decide on things that will cost you thousands of dollars without even being ready to make such choices.
There are high chances that you are worried as you read this at this particular moment. Perhaps, the insurance of the other driver is forcing you to make a quick settlement. Perhaps you are even more injured than you had imagined. Or perhaps you are not even sure you get a case at all.
What you need to know is that you do not have to find this out yourself. You will have clarity, strength, and peace of mind without parting with a single dollar in advance: an auto accident lawyer free consultation can bring all these.
I would like to take you through what that is all about and why that is even more important than you may suppose.
What Is a Free case with an Auto accident Lawyer?
Free consultation is as it is named: a discussion between you and a legal expert dealing in car accident cases, with no charges to you whatsoever.
In this discussion, the lawyer will be listening as to what occurred. They will enquire about your injuries, your medical care, your insurance and what the insurance of the other driver advised you. They will also examine whatever you possess, photos on the scene, medical bills, police reports, anything useful.
Then they will provide you with veritable feedback: Do you have a valid case? Is it worth pursuing? Of what value might be your assertion? What are the next steps?
The entire episode normally lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Others even do it via telephone. Others meet in person. In any case, there is no pressure of employing them. Zero cost. Zero obligation.
It comes in as an information getting time-yours and theirs.
The Reason You Should Speak with an Auto Accident Attorney.
Your mind is telling you, why do I need a lawyer? I can handle this myself.”
And maybe you can. However, this is what an insurance company does not want to know.
The insurance adjusters are professionally trained. They do but one thing, that is, reduce the amount paid out. They’re friendly on the phone. They speak as though you were on their side. However, they do not work on your behalf, they work on behalf of the insurance company.
They may force you to settle in a matter of days after the accident. They may even minimize your injuries. They may indicate that you do not require continuous health treatment. This is all in their best interests and not yours.
By discussing with an auto injury attorney close to me and rejecting any settlement beforehand, you put the scales in a different place. You find someone on your side who knows the value of what you say.
Here is another thing, injuries may become aggravated. You may be alright on the day of the accident. Three weeks later, you can not even turn your neck. In two months, you cannot stop feeling pain in your back. At this point you have already signed document which claims that your injuries were minor. You’re stuck.
A lawyer ensures that you do not hurry to make decisions to the point you are aware of the extent of your injuries.
Legal deadlines, or as we say, statutes of limitations, also exist and these give you time limits as to when you can sue. Missing such deadlines and you will be ineligible to compensation forever. A lawyer ensures that you know those dates and do not lose your case.
What Will an Auto Accident Attorney Recovery Get You?
Your losses exceed the apparent, especially in the case of an accident. This is what an attorney can struggle on:
Medical bills. Hospital stays, bills in the emergency room, surgery, physiotherapy, long-term care, everything.
Lost wages. Had to miss work when you are in a state of recovery, then that is money out of your pocket. Your lawyer can recover it.
Pain and suffering. The emotional exhaustion, the tortured nights, the anxiety–that has its worth in your assertion.
Vehicle damage. Repair or the value of the car in case it is totaled.
Long-term care costs. In case your injuries need further medical attention in the future, it can be calculated and added.
Stateless disability or disfigurement. In case the accident altered your life forever, that is important.
The majority of the people are concerned only with the medical bills. However, in the case when a lawyer looks at your case, he sees the bigger picture. They are conversant with the amount of similar cases that have been settled. They have a clue about measuring pain and suffering in a manner that is sustainable.
That is why the final figure is usually much bigger as compared to what people thought they merit.
The way a Free Consultation can Work to Your Benefit.
Consider a free consultation like a fact check.
You just come in (or dial in) and you got questions. Is this case worth pursuing? How long will it take? How much money could I get? The lawyer answers honestly.
They will inform you that your case is a weak one. They will tell you whether it is stronger than you think. They will elaborate what they would do in case they accepted it on- what facts would they gather, how they would bargain, when they could sue.
They will also provide you with an approximate and value of what your claim will be worth. It will not be precise–cases evolve as you proceed–but it provides you with a true-to-life range.
And this is what is really good: they take the pressure off. You are not dealing with an insurance adjuster. You are not asking yourself whether you are doing the wrong thing. You are sitting up against someone whose one business is to tell you the truth.
Once the consultation is over, you are free to go. You can think about it. You can decide. There is no pressure to get such a lawyer. You received the information that you needed at no cost.
That’s the whole point.
Is there any Start-up Cost?
This is the issue that gives people the pause to make a call.
The answer is no.
The majority of auto accident lawyers represent such a case as a contingency fee. It is that no one makes you any money unless he or she wins your case or gets it settled. When they do, they charge off a percentage of what you take –25 to 40, again, as on where you live, and the difficulty of the case.
It is referred to as no win, no fee in simpler terms. In case you are not successful in your claim, you pay them not even a dime.
This is not done in vain: this arrangement is aimed at ensuring that your lawyer is just as interested in winning as you are. They also do not make money unless you make money.
They will discuss how they charge during your free consultation. They will be open about the percentage they would take and the reason. No surprises.
Should You Free-Legal Consultation After an Accident?
The sooner, the better.
The best is immediately after the accident. New memories, new evidence, new medical history. The longer time this takes place, the greater the difficulty in investigating what has occurred.
When the insurance of the other driver refuses to compensate you, then you have an indication that you are in need of a lawyer. A lawyer is also able to appeal against an unjust rejection and confront bad faith strategies.
In case of injury worsening in the course of time, then you will certainly require a lawyer. You do not want to have settled with the insurance company already with a small amount only to find out in a few months that you have to have some costly ongoing care.
In case the other driver is not insured, or there is a conflict regarding the cause of the accident- the cases need a legal advice.
You do not need to wait until you get a perfect time to call. Call when you have questions. Free consultation is what that is all about.
Free Consultation What to bring.
Sit down with a lawyer, and you have documents, that way he or she can advise you better. Bring:
The police report (assuming that there was a police report). Get one in the police department, in case you do not have it.
Camera shots or footage of the crime scene. Whatever you have Phone photos, traffic camera footage.
Doctors reports on any medical treatment following the accident. Summary of doctor visits, laboratory findings, radiology.
Insurance documents. Your personal policy, information on policy of the other driver, any communication with the insurance company.
Witness information. Contact details and phone numbers of any person who witnessed the accident.
Evidence of lost earnings (where there are any). Pay stubs, a letter of your employer, anything that indicates that you missed a work.
You don’t need all of this. The more you are able to collect the more evident a picture the lawyer can build and the more he/she can advise you.
Frequently Asked Questions of Auto Accident Lawyer Free Consultation.
Is it really free?
Yes. No credit card needed. No hidden fees. You can pay nothing if you do not hire them. The lawyer provides free consultations as it assists him or her in identifying the clients they wish to deal with. It’s a win-win.
What is the average time spent on a free consultation?
Usually 20 to 30 minutes. The duration can be extended in case of a complicated case. They will inform you in advance about the number of time they have.
Is it possible to change lawyers afterwards in case I hire one?
Yes. You may sack your lawyer and employ another. It’s your case, your choice. Switching in the middle of a case may delay things a bit, so the first go round should be a well-informed decision.
Will seeking the services of a lawyer do my insurance rates any good?
No. There is no entry on your insurance record and contacting a lawyer. The rates are not dependent on the use of a legal counsel, but on the accidents which you report to your insurance company and your driving history.
What about the fact that I might be partially guilty of the accident?
Most states permit you to still get damages even when you are partially at fault. This can be decreased depending on what percentage of fault you committed but you could bring a claim. This is the way that a lawyer can explain how it works in your particular situation.
What makes me know whether I need a lawyer?
You ask the question, and you are likely to do so. At least, have the free consultation. The lawyer will be straightforward with you and inform you whether or not your case is worth going to court and whether you can do it independently or not.
The Process of Selecting the Proper Auto Accident Lawyer.
Not all lawyers are the same. This is what you want to look out when selecting whom to consult:
Background of working with auto accident cases. You do not want a general practitioner but someone who is an expert in this field. They are supposed to be with years of experience in dealing with car accidents claims.
Good reviews and reputation. Check on the internet reviews, request references, check their track record. Have they resolved litigations at fair prices? Do clients speak well of them?
Clear communication. Are they plain English in the process of the consultation? Or is it legal language that turns your head round? You seek someone who will listen and be able to understand you.
Local knowledge. The local attorney is familiar with the judges, the local juries, the insurance companies, the court system. That matters.
Availability. Do they answer your calls? Are they responsive? You need a lawyer who can be approached, and not a lawyer who fades away once he is employed.
Your opportunity to judge of all this is your free consultation. Talk to a few lawyers. Compare. Select the one that is appropriate.
Final Thoughts
A mishap will turn the world upside down in a few seconds. The economic pressure, the physical suffering, the indecision about the future- it is too much.
But this is what is important at this moment: you are stronger than you believe.
The price of a free legal consultation with an auto accident lawyer is nothing more than a phone call. It provides you with knowledge, clarity and one person on your side who knows the law. No pressure. No obligation. Just answers.
You need that call in case you are stressed about insurance settlement offers, confused on your rights or worried about medical bills. Consult with an auto accident attorney. Hear what they can say. And then make a wise choice as to the next step.
You should be able to recuperate in every way, not only physically, but also financially. That starts with a free consultation.
