How to Hire an Auto Accident Attorney?

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence it is in your best interest to contact a DC auto accident attorney as soon as possible. An injury attorney will be able to look at the facts and circumstances of your case and help you navigate through the legal system in a way that’s best for you. For more information on how an experienced lawyer can assist your claim, read below or call today and schedule a free consultation.

Hiring An Auto Accident Attorney

The main reason to hire an attorney for an auto accident case is because the at-fault party typically has the insurance company or the employer and their lawyers behind the situation. And, so they are immediately represented and they are immediately attuned to risk management concerns.

The injured party is out there by themselves and the people that typically contact an injured person about their case typically try to come across as though they there are trying to help. Unfortunately, however, this is a misnomer as they’re not there to gather information for purposes of helping the injured party, but instead for purposes of gathering information to help themselves.

They are not there to immediately try to resolve a claim. The initial contact and everything that they have is strictly for purposes of investigation to try to uncover things that will show that they are not at fault and to establish that they should not have to pay on a claim.

Importance of Contacting a Lawyer

So, when the at-fault party has the insurance company and lawyers behind them, it is unfathomable that a claimant or an injured party should not have the same representation representing their interest against those who have injured them.

Again, people don’t necessarily want to get into a contentious situation or into litigation or into a claim process, and if they’ve not had some experience in it, then they think everything is going to be objective and go smoothly. Unfortunately, nine times out of ten, those who have done that find out that that is not how things proceed with insurance companies and their defense attorneys, in fact, it’s just the opposite. They get burned by lack of knowledge and they learn the hard way.

And, you know, we do get clients who come to us after they’ve talked and given a recorded statement and have tried to handle the claim themselves, and unfortunately they’ve not navigated it well and they’ve harmed themselves in a process that could otherwise have been rectified by having a knowledgeable experienced attorney representing their interests.

What Are Some Of The First Things You Look For In An Auto Accident Case?

From an attorney point of view, we look for those elements of a case that we discussed earlier about negligence. We want to know if we can establish all of those factors: the duty, the breach of duty, the damages, and causation.

So, any case is seen through that prism in order to be able to say who’s at fault, why, and how did it happen. The jurisdictions we’re talking about, Maryland, DC, and Virginia, are all contributory negligence states which means that if the plaintiff or client is deemed even just 1% at fault, that prevents a recovery in the case.

Going back to what we advise clients, the reason it’s very important for the clients not to talk to insurance companies is because the only reason they’re trying to talk to them is to find out facts that may not be helpful to the client, but helpful to the insurance company or the defendant. This is particularly the case in light of contributory negligence. Things can get easily twisted by people talking to the insurance companies because, again, the insurance companies are not looking out for the client, they’re looking out for their insured or their defendant.

We have to look very seriously at the cause of whatever injury there has been and determine the party or parties at fault, establish the reasons they’re at fault, but at the same time we have to look at our client’s conduct to be sure that contributory negligence does not become a factor in the case.

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A car accident can cause serious injuries to virtually any part of the body. The following are some of the most common injuries suffered by motor vehicle accident victims and some of the car crash stats for 2019:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, which occurs when the brain is damaged by a blow or a piercing injury to the head. Each year, 50,000 people die from TBI and another 80,000 to 90,000 suffer long-term disability.

Spinal cord injuries and paralysis (quadriplegia/tetraplegia and paraplegia)

The impact of a crash and torque on the body can cause long-term disability from spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis below the level of the injury.

Back Injuries

The human body and spine are not designed to sustain heavy impact, and back injuries are a common result of car accidents. Back injuries may be delayed in showing up after an accident. The pain and disability from a serious back injury can be serious and long-lasting.

Burns

If a vehicle catches fire after a crash or if skin comes into contact with hot fluids, surfaces, steam or chemicals, the occupants can suffer burns. Very severe burns may require surgery and skin grafting.

Internal injuries

When a crash forces the body into an object, or the body is hit by flying debris, damage to internal organs may occur. Internal bleeding from this type of injury requires emergency medical treatment.

Fractures and broken bones

Broken legs, ribs, arms, ankles, and wrists are common in car accidents. Some car accident victims suffer a broken pelvis. Severity ranges from simple breaks that require a cast to serious breaks or compound fractures that may require surgery to repair.

Disfiguring facial injuries and scars

Facial injuries in car accidents can be caused by broken glass or by impact with a steering wheel, dash, windshield, airbag, side window, car seat or any hard surface. Disfigurement from facial injuries may require surgical correction and could leave a victim with a lasting scar.

Limb loss and amputation

An arm, leg, finger, toe or other appendages can be severed in a crash or damaged severely enough to require surgical amputation. This type of injury can have permanent disabling effects on the victim.

Neck injuries and whiplash

Whiplash is the common name for muscle, ligament and tendon injuries like neck pain after injury to the soft tissue of the neck that can happen in a car accident. Speeds as low as 15 mph can cause whiplash, with or without a seatbelt. Severe disk injury and cervical dislocation can also result from car accidents.

Knee injuries

Knees can be injured in car crashes by smashing into any part of the vehicle. Wounds range from bruises to multiple fractures. The meniscus, or cartilage in the knee, can tear if the knee is twisted or turned abruptly in a crash.

Foot and ankle injuries

Toe, feet, and ankle strains, sprains and fractures are common in car accidents. Feet and toes can also be severed in a crash.

Shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries can result from force absorption after bracing the hands against the steering wheel or dashboard in a motor vehicle crash. The shoulder locks in position and receives excessive force from the impact of the collision.

Wrist and hand injuries

Distal radius fractures (broken wrists) are very common in car accidents. This type of injury may require surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture.

Lacerations, bruises and “road rash”

Broken glass, torn sheet metal or flying objects can cause lacerations. Bruises are caused by the impact of the body against any object, or vice versa. Road rash is abrasion caused by friction from being dragged or skidding on pavement or concrete.

Crush injuries

Any part of the body caught between two objects being pushed together under pressure can sustain crush injury. Minor bruising and lacerations or serious damage to tissue, organs, muscles and bones can result.

Soft tissue injuries

Sprains, strains, bruising, and other damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments (soft tissue injuries) are very common in automobile accidents. This type of injury can be painful and long-lasting.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Not all car accident injuries are physical. You might suffer from mental and emotional injuries because of a car accident. You might have post-traumatic stress disorder, and things that used to be routine may become worrisome and even impossible. You may be able to recover for your mental health treatment and emotional suffering after a car accident.

If you need an accident lawyer call us for more information.

An automobile accident brings with it a host of questions. Who is at fault? Who pays for damage to my car? Who will pay for my medical bills? How much should I get for pain and suffering? Can I ask the insurance company to reimburse me for lost wages? An experienced injury attorney can be extremely helpful in negotiating the often chaotic and confusing world of insurance claims and settlements.

Because most injury attorneys work on a contingent-fee basis, and only get paid if there is a successful resolution to your claim, there is often little incentive to try to handle these types of claims on your own, unless no injuries or serious damage were involved and a settlement would be very small. If you’re injured in a car accident, then hiring a lawyer will almost always ensure a much better settlement.

Knowledge of Law and Procedural Rules

Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you — one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

An attorney can advise you of any time limits (called statutes of limitations) that can bar you from filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations — for minors, for example.

Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how best to mitigate any possible defenses raised by the other side. In addition, once your case gets under way, your lawyer will play an invaluable role in preparing your case for trial — and even going to trial if your case doesn’t settle.

Even though a lawsuit is rarely necessary, the threat of legal action offers strong leverage when negotiating a fair settlement.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, having an attorney who is knowledgeable about the law evens the playing field, especially when you are going up against the experience and vast resources of a large insurance company.

Lawyers Do The Legwork

There is a lot of work that goes into negotiating an insurance settlement and trying a personal injury lawsuit. After you have been in a car accident, taking on this time-consuming work may be the last thing you want to do, assuming you’re able. An attorney can do it all for you.

Whereas this may be your first time dealing with the ins and outs of an accident claim, injury attorneys have dealt with all manner of claims and a variety of insurance companies. They have experience obtaining the necessary evidence to support your claim, including gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records and bills, and employment and lost wage information.

Your attorney will also be able to organize the evidence and prepare a settlement demand letter for the insurance company. If you are unable to settle your accident case, your attorney can take care of filing the necessary paperwork to start a court case and can deal with the defense attorneys on your behalf. Having someone knowledgeable handling the hard work of your case eases the burden on you, which is especially important if you have been seriously injured and are trying to recover from your injuries.

An Attorney Advocates for You

Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.

Having an experienced and articulate advocate working for you is essential in obtaining a reasonable and fair resolution in your car accident case.

An auto accident is a terrifying experience, even if it is only a minor fender-bender. The only thing on your mind is your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the condition of your vehicle. Unfortunately, insurance issues, impaired drivers, and corporate vehicles can cause a small wreck to become a major hassle and require months of litigation. If you feel like another driver or party has wronged you in some way after being involved in a wreck, you might need to a hire car accident attorney. These lawyers are specially trained to help you recover monetary losses due to auto accidents and get reimbursed for any medical expenses that you incur.

How To Hire a Car Accident Attorney

1. Schedule Free Consultations to Find the Right Attorney

Most auto collision lawyers do not charge a fee for consultations. Unless your situation requires immediate legal advice, schedule meetings with several auto accident attorneys to find one who you are comfortable with. Chances are you will be communicating with this person and his or her office staff for several months while your case is proceeding, so you want to make sure that your auto accident attorney is professional, prompt, and has your best interest in mind.

2. Discuss Up-Front or Out-of-Pocket Fees

Many personal injury attorneys do not charge a fee unless the case is won. While some lawyers may require you to make a payment before the case is opened, it should be easy to find someone who will take on your case without requiring an out-of-pocket expense. If you are awarded a settlement as the result of your auto accident case, your attorney will then collect a percentage of the monies as his or her service fee.

3. Ask for a Service Contract

Ask the collision lawyer what his or her fee will be if your case is successful. Most personal injury attorneys will retain a certain percentage of your settlement. Ensure that you are made aware of this amount before you hire the attorney. Ask for a service contract that explicitly states this percentage and keep a copy for your personal records.

4. Bring All Car Accident Information to Your Initial Visit

Provide your car accident attorney with any and all information you have about the wreck. When you go to your initial visit, bring your automobile insurance policy, medical insurance policy, any medical records or hospital bills that resulted from the accident, pictures of the vehicle after the wreck, a copy of the police report, and any contact information you may have collected from the other parties involved. All of this information will help your attorney build your case in a timely manner and get your benefits to you quicker. Follow this guide to collect all the necessary information from the wreck site in case you can: (Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/after-the-crash-hiring-an-auto-accident-attorney/)

5. Expect the Settlement to Take Time

Don’t expect a quick settlement. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your car accident, it could take months or even years before you receive any compensation. While your attorney should maintain communication with you throughout this process, understand that taking someone to court over a wreck is a lengthy process.

6. Be Communicative, Available and Professional

Do your part. The collision attorney you hire to represent you in an auto accident case is only one member of the team. Maintain all appointments to meet with your lawyer, keep all of your documents organized, and answer any letters or phone calls you receive from your attorney’s office. If you are required to appear in court at some point in the process, follow your personal injury lawyer’s instructions, appear presentable, and be respectful to the judge. (Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/after-the-crash-hiring-an-auto-accident-attorney/)

If you have an attorney who has represented you in the past, it might be a good idea to keep one of his or her business cards in your wallet or glove compartment.

In the unfortunate event that you have an accident, you can immediately inform their office that you need legal assistance. He or she may send a staff member to speak with police officers or insurance agents at the scene of the wreck. Many collision attorneys will meet with auto accident victims and their families while they are still in the hospital to get an immediate start on the process. Whether you desire to have a company pay for damage one of their drivers caused to your car or sue a drunk driver for the pain and suffering their mistake inflicted upon you, a dependable and experienced auto accident attorney will be able to fight for the compensation you desire. (Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/after-the-crash-hiring-an-auto-accident-attorney/)

A health care professional is vaccinated in Kampala, Uganda, on March 10, the first day of the country’s vaccine campaign, sponsored by COVAX, an international initiative to get vaccines distributed more globally.

As the United States and other nations celebrate what looks like the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic — with a quarter to half their populations vaccinated — many less well-off countries are lagging far behind. Some have vaccinated less than 1 percent of their populations, leaving them vulnerable to emerging coronavirus variants and at risk for future surges.

Now a new analysis puts a price tag on what it would cost those countries to catch up. Getting shots to half the adult population of the world’s lowest-income countries in 2021 will cost $9.3 billion, the Rockefeller Foundation, a global charitable foundation based in New York City, reports June 1. That estimate includes 92 nations (representing about 3.8 billion people) that are eligible for vaccine access through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private global health partnership based in Geneva. With that money, the Alliance could purchase 1.8 billion vaccine doses.

If COVID-19 vaccine doses had been distributed equitably to every nation, these doses “would have been enough to cover all health workers and older people” by now, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a May 24 assembly of the organization’s member states.

The fallout of failing to vaccinate people in countries with fewer resources will come with a high cost not only for human life — there have been more than 3.5 million COVID-19 deaths so far — but also the global bottom line (SN: 2/26/21; SN: 5/9/21). The world’s economy stands to lose more than $9 trillion if lower-income countries aren’t able to access vaccines, the International Chamber of Commerce estimates.

The Rockefeller report focuses on vaccinations in 2021 because recent coronavirus variants —such as P.1, first identified in Brazil and B.1.617, discovered in India — have demonstrated the virus’s capacity to evolve, potentially beyond the existing tools that the world has at its disposal (SN: 4/14/21). Waiting until 2022 will be too late, says Christy Feig, the Rockefeller Foundation’s director of communications and advocacy. To date, many vaccines have been shown to protect people from serious illness and death (SN: 5/11/21).  

“The pandemic itself has gone beyond a health crisis — it has now gone into an economic crisis,” Feig says. “The only way to unchoke the economy is by getting the vaccines to as many countries as possible so that we can stop the spread of the disease before more variants come.”