A defense lawyer should be called right away following a car accident or truck collision. Your lawyer will help to ensure you receive compensation and recover lost wages.
While no one plans on being involved in a car accident, let alone being injured and unable to work, it does happen. It’s important to know what to do if it happens to you. In addition to getting medical help, you should call a defense lawyer as soon as possible.
A Defense Lawyer Protects Your Rights
Even when you think you don’t need to call a defense lawyer after an accident, there are several reasons why you should. Any time an accident requires a trip to the emergency room, a defense lawyer should be called. A lawyer can advise you of your legal options and will protect your rights. He will make sure the police report is accurate and does not put you at fault. This is especially important when you believe the car accident was due to another driver’s negligence.
Defense Lawyer Helps Recover Lost Wages
When you haven’t been able to work because of the physical injuries you received in a car accident, you may be able to recover your lost wages. One option to do that is to file a claim with your insurance company, or you can submit a claim to the negligent party’s insurance provider. Your defense lawyer can prepare and submit all documentation and answer questions.
Defense Lawyer Helps File Claims
When making a claim to the insurance company, it’s in your best interests to let your attorney handle it. Mistakes that can impact the outcome of your claim can be avoided and your experienced lawyer can negotiate for a better settlement, including recovering lost wages from time off work. Several important considerations to remember are:
Don’t Admit Fault – You should never talk to an insurance company, yours or the other party’s, before talking to a defense lawyer. For instance, the at-fault driver may implicate you as being the one at fault when he contacts his insurance company. You will then be contacted to give a statement of what happened from your point of view. The insurance company will try to get you to settle the case by offering a low settlement amount.
Don’t Sign Anything – Importantly, do not accept any settlement offers without the advice of an attorney. Likewise, do not sign anything your lawyer has not reviewed and recommended.
Don’t Miss Deadlines – There are statutes of limitations for filing personal injury claims, so getting a defense lawyer on the case early will avoid missing the deadline for filing. Also, all of the required information necessary for filing a claim will be properly completed.
Acts of Bad Faith – Bad faith is when the insurance company denies coverage, refuses to pay without investigating, fails to pay in a timely manner, or won’t provide an explanation for denying the claim. A defense lawyer will help when your insurance company is acting in bad faith.
In Summary
As soon as possible, call a defense lawyer after a car accident or truck collision.
- Seek medical treatment if you have been injured. Even if you don’t think you are injured, you should be seen by a doctor to rule anything out.
- Do not make any statements to an insurance adjuster or sign any agreements before talking to your lawyer.
- Do not file any claims for lost wages before receiving medical treatment.
The burden of proof is on you. You need to actually have incurred loss and be able to prove injury before filing a claim for compensation.
Your defense lawyer is responsible for the proper and timely submission of all required documentation. Further, if necessary, he will handle an appeal if your claim is denied. Your best interests will be protected throughout the entire process, every step of the way.
Craig M. Divine with the Divine Law Office, LLC is an experienced, competent car accident defense lawyer who will fight for you every step of the way. For a defense lawyer in Kansas City, MO, Kansas City, KS, Johnson County and Wyandotte County in Kansas and Jackson, Platte, Clay and Cass counties in Missouri, Divine Law is the one to call.