Establishing who is at fault after an accident is difficult because each party involved typically tells a different version of what happened. Therefore, it is essential to retain a car accident attorney in Tampa Bay to legally represent you. Additionally, the murky waters of insurance claims and settlements are often tricky to navigate without professional help.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
It is important to seek the advice of a lawyer in Tampa Bay if you were involved in an accident because they know the law, can gather evidence, estimate damages, and protect their client.
Knowledgeable of the Law
First and foremost, a car accident attorney will have extensive knowledge of the law. This is incredibly important when dealing with insurance adjusters. There are specific procedural laws that are relevant to car crashes and personal injuries that you may otherwise be unaware of. For example, filing a claim needs to happen within the provisions of the statute of limitations. A lawyer will inform you if there are exceptions to this statue within Tampa Bay or your local area.
A lot of paperwork is involved with filing a lawsuit. Without assistance, you may not know what documents you need. Another responsibility of a car accident attorney is they need to prepare a counter defense. They have to anticipate the opposing party’s claims and adjust accordingly. And in some cases, there may be more than two parties involved, which adds to the paperwork and complexity of the case.
It is also important to note that settling out of court is not always possible. Sometimes, going to court can offer strong leverage towards securing a proper settlement. Keep in mind that insurance companies can afford to hire the best legal help due to their vast resources.
Evidence Gathering
The strength of a case is heavily dependent on the quality of evidence presented, starting with the pictures taken at the scene of the incident. The car accident attorney in Tampa Bay also needs to gather witness statements from anyone who was present when the accident occurred. Police reports typically add credibility to a claim and help to prove who is at fault. The process of collecting all this evidence, or even knowing what to collect, can be overwhelming and is better left to experienced professionals. It is better for the victim to focus on recovering and leave the evidence gathering to their car accident attorney.
Damage Estimations
Determining what constitutes a fair settlement is one of the hardest parts of a personal injury claim. Several factors help to determine the estimate. First off, the attorney will consider the symptoms and injuries their client is experiencing. Obtaining a doctor’s report is necessary to assess the potential long-term effects of any injuries sustained. Using this information and more, they will calculate what a fair settlement would be.
Ensures the Client Does Not Self Sabotage
One of the duties of a lawyer is to ensure their client does not engage in behavior that would otherwise jeopardize their case. Your actions will be under scrutiny once you have made a claim as a victim and the defense will use anything they can to pay less for the claim. Any questionable behavior could affect your credibility. For example, getting in trouble for disorderly conduct would paint a negative picture, which could potentially work against you.
What you circulate and post on social media could also hurt your claim. For example, if you shared a picture of a hike outside in Tampa Bay immediately after the incident, then this could be used as evidence to say you are not hurt as badly as you claim. A car accident attorney will advise you on how to conduct yourself during the claims process.
Choose K LAW, PLLC in Tampa Bay
The complexity of a car accident case can be overwhelming. It is a wise decision to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer like the professionals at K LAW, PLLC in Tampa Bay. Choosing our firm can give you the best chance at a positive outcome. So contact us or call (813) 866-8600 to schedule your free consultation today.