A car accident is unfortunate, regardless of the reasons for the accident. Any person, who has been involved in an accident and has enough reason to claim that he or she had no part whatsoever in the accident, is entitled for an accident claim. But, there are several important steps that must be followed, in order to establish the validity of the claim. The most important thing is to make note of every possible detail, including, time, location, the number of passengers involved, and the make, color, speed and registration numbers of the vehicles involved. If a police officer arrives at the spot, the name and role of the officer must also be noted. One can even take pictures or ask a friend of companion to do so. Pictures serve to demonstrate the extent of the damages and can help a car accident lawyer to investigate the accident.
The information gathered at the site of the accident must provide answers to an attorney's probable questions, such as 'whose fault was it?', 'did it happen while driving an official vehicle?' and 'was it because of faulty roads?' Victims must keep in mind that no information is trivial from a legal perspective. Damages are usually classified as economic damages and non-economic damages. The former includes vehicle repair costs, medical bills and loss of wages or income, whereas the latter pertains to pain, suffering and emotional distress. While it is easier to determine the economic damages from bills, determining non-economic damages is not a simple task, and is usually calculated as a multiple of the medical bills. Negotiations pertain to the settlement amount and the manner of payment. The settlement amount can be obtained as a lump sum payment or as a series of payments.
The severity and type of damages determine the complexity and course of the case. An accident that causes serious bodily injury is quite different from that which causes only minor property damage. The latter may not justify the use of a lawyer's service as the value of the claim is relatively low. On the other hand, when there is a major injury or damage, non-lawyers are at a disadvantage as they do not possess the skills to evaluate the damages or negotiate a fair settlement. They are likely to be misled by the statements of insurance adjusters, who try to delay the claim. After the accident, everything must be done without delay, whether it is taking medical treatment or hiring an attorney. This is because the claim cannot be pursued if the statute of limitations expires.
Having determined the severity and type of damages, the victim is in a position to obtain compensation from an insurance adjuster or the party that caused the accident. In either case, it is important to furnish a written demand for compensation to cover the damages. Every document that supports the claim, including medical bills, repair bills and employment or earnings documents to claim loss of income must be provided. These documents account for all the damages and a car accident lawyer will produce them in court if the injurer fails to arrive at a settlement.
When it comes to filing a claim, hiring a car accident lawyer is almost always the right step, though it comes at a cost. Lawyers usually work on a contingency basis, meaning they deduct about a third of the settlement amount as payment for their services.
Looking for a car accident lawyer in Houston? Our Houston car accident lawyers have years of experience, vast knowledge, exceptional skill, and a diligence to protect your rights under the law.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_H_Lewis
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7131641
No comments:
Post a Comment