Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer?
Although a car crash is over in seconds, the consequences of a serious wreck can linger for weeks, months, or even a lifetime. The more serious injuries can leave you facing high medical bills, extreme pain, permanent disability and time away from work that you and your family cannot afford.
You shouldn’t have to face your injuries alone. Although some crash victims decide to handle their car accident claims themselves, it is generally not in a person’s best interest to do so. Not only does hiring a car accident lawyer typically cost you nothing upfront, but an attorney can work to maximize your settlement and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
The accomplished car accident lawyers at Roberts Wilson, P.A. have the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to calculate the true value of your claim and fight for every penny you deserve. We can handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
7 Ways a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Why do you need an attorney to help your case? Here are seven important ways a car accident lawyer can help you after a wreck in Mississippi:
1. Determine If You Have a Claim
Just because you were involved in a collision doesn’t necessarily mean you have a viable personal injury claim. A seasoned car accident lawyer will listen to the details of your situation and determine whether or not it makes sense to pursue legal action.
It doesn’t cost you anything to speak with an attorney at Roberts Wilson, P.A. During your free initial consultation, an experienced car accident lawyer will assess the merits of your case and explain your rights and legal options. If we don’t believe you have a strong case, we will tell you right away. We will not lead you on with false hope or unrealistic expectations.
2. Conduct a Thorough Investigation
Sometimes after a collision, accident victims are able to exchange information with the other driver, talk to potential witnesses, and even take photographs of the accident scene. However, if you suffered severe injuries in a crash, you may not be able to do anything other than seek medical attention.
In addition to establishing fault in your car accident case, an exhaustive investigation is also crucial for assessing the damages you may be entitled to recover in a personal injury claim. A car accident lawyer knows how to conduct a thorough investigation and understands what evidence is needed to best support your case.
3. Calculate the Value of Your Claim
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Mississippi car wreck, you may be entitled to a larger settlement than you realize. In addition to immediate expenses, such as medical bills, prescription costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses, you may also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, reduced earning potential, and more.
You deserve compensation for both your current and future losses. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer understands the hardships you may be facing and will fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled under the law.
4. Determine Who May Be Held Liable for Your Damages
Issues of liability in a car crash can be complex. In some cases, an at-fault driver may claim that you are partially or fully responsible for the wreck. This may result in the other driver’s insurance company offering you far less compensation than you deserve. In fact, the insurance company may not even make a settlement offer at all.
Mississippi is a pure comparative fault state. This means that if the court finds that you were partially responsible for the crash, the total amount of your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you incurred $100,000 in damages but the court finds that you were 20 percent at fault for the crash, your award would be reduced by 20 percent, bringing your total recovery to $80,000.
Additionally, while many car accident cases revolve around collisions between two vehicles (and therefore two drivers), some accidents may involve fault by more than one party. Truck accident cases, for example, could include negligence on the part of a truck driver, the trucking company, and other parties that share responsibility for the safe operation of large commercial vehicles.
A car accident lawyer understands the complexities of determining – and proving – liability. Your attorney will pursue the maximum compensation you deserve under the law.
5. Apply Knowledge of Mississippi Law
Most people who are hurt in car wrecks do not fully know or understand the laws that apply to their specific situations. A car accident lawyer can determine the Mississippi traffic and insurance laws that are relevant to your case and apply that knowledge to your pursuit of justice.
After suffering a serious injury, all of your efforts should be focused on getting better, not researching laws and trying to figure out what to file, what legal precedents to cite, what evidence is admissible, and more. Lawsuits involve a rigorous process and you have a limited amount of time to get it right. A car accident lawyer offers substantial knowledge of applicable laws and knows how to build a compelling case on your behalf.
6. Deal with the Insurance Company
Having an advocate on your side to deal with insurance companies is one of the most important reasons to hire a lawyer. While you undergo medical treatment for your injuries and try to get your life back on track, the insurance company is working to undermine the value of your claim.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. You may believe that the best way to move your settlement along is to cooperate with the insurance company and answer all of the adjuster’s questions. However, the more you talk to an insurer, the less likely you are to achieve a fair settlement for your losses.
A car accident lawyer knows the tactics insurance companies use to delay, reduce, and deny valid claims. You have the best chance at recovering the compensation you truly deserve with an experienced attorney on your side.
7. Go to Court If Necessary
Although the vast majority of car accident claims settle out of court, some do not. If your claim does not settle, you need an experienced litigator to fight for your rights in court. This requires intimate knowledge of the court system, the laws that govern your claim, and the procedures involved in taking a personal injury case to trial.
An Oxford car accident lawyer can help you decide if it is in your best interests to go to court. If so, your lawyer can fight for just compensation at trial on your behalf.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Oxford for Free
At Roberts Wilson, P.A., our car accident lawyers have been helping the wrongfully injured throughout Northern Mississippi for over a decade. We understand the hardships you may be facing and we are committed to helping you obtain the maximum compensation you need to move forward.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a car wreck, we want to hear your story. Contact Roberts Wilson, P.A. online or at (662) 533-9111 for a free case evaluation. We proudly serve clients throughout Mississippi, including Oxford, Holly Springs, Batesville, and many other areas.
