Proven Methods Used by Reputable Accident Attorneys

A car accident can lead to devastating injuries, emotional trauma, and debts. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, working with a car accident lawyer can be beneficial for your case. Reputable accident attorneys use a variety of proven strategies to help clients secure the compensation they need.

This post will highlight several of the methods frequently employed by experienced legal professionals.

Investigating Thoroughly to Establish Liability

Most personal injury lawyers begin with a thorough investigation, during which they gather evidence to build a compelling case for their client. This process often involves:

• Obtaining and reviewing police and accident reports
• Collecting witness and passenger statements
• Analyzing photos and video footage from the scene of the accident
• Examining the damaged vehicle(s) and crash site in person
• Gathering available medical records and bills to document injuries
• Consulting specialists to provide further information and context

Establishing clear liability can help an attorney hold the negligent parties accountable and improve the client’s chances of receiving adequate compensation.

Using Expert Witnesses to Strengthen Claims

A reputable accident attorney will often consult one or more expert witnesses to solicit insights and feedback that support their client’s case. These authorities may include:

• Medical professionals to testify about injuries and required treatments
• Accident reconstruction specialists to explain how the crash occurred and highlight any significant details
• Financial experts to assess past and future lost earnings
• Engineers to determine whether a vehicle defect might have contributed to the accident in some way

Expert testimony can have a big impact on settlement negotiations and litigation, helping validate claims and counter arguments from the defense.

Negotiating Fair Settlements

It’s a fairly common practice for insurance companies to attempt to minimize payouts, often offering settlements that don’t cover the full extent of a victim’s losses. Skilled attorneys use strategic negotiation techniques and their knowledge of insurer tactics to advocate for clients’ interests.

Some of their methods include:

• Presenting strong evidence to support the client’s claim
• Noting issues with policy coverage limits and legal concerns
• Countering lowball settlement offers
• Taking cases to court if negotiations are ineffective

A car accident attorney's negotiation skills can mean the difference between accepting an inadequate settlement and receiving comprehensive financial benefits to aid recovery.

Getting Cases Trial-Ready if Necessary

A dependable attorney will always prepare for the possibility of a trial, even though most car accident claims are settled outside of court. This readiness to litigate can keep the insurance companies on their toes and ensure that the client’s case is taken seriously, leading to a better settlement offer.

Communicating Effectively With Clients

A reputable attorney who has their client’s best interests at heart will be an effective communicator above all else.

Personal injury claims are often emotionally overwhelming, and state laws can be confusing for clients who already have a lot on their minds. A lawyer who prioritizes transparency and open communication can build a solid foundation of trust, which is the bedrock of any successful attorney-client relationship.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Attorney

When selecting a car accident lawyer, it’s important to consider their experience, reputation, and track record of handling claims like yours. Some of the qualities of a great attorney include:

• A history of positive outcomes demonstrated by client testimonials
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with car accident cases
• An empathetic, client-focused approach

If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. The attorneys at Schiff & Associates have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for over 40 years and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients in that time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Navigating Personal Injury Claims With Confidence and Clarity

You can never really be prepared for the reality of being involved in an accident. You might face a heap of problems ranging from exorbitant medical bills to disruptive insurance calls, endless paperwork, and a confusing legal journey.

Filing a personal injury claim can help you pursue compensation for your losses. However, the challenges you encounter on this path can leave you feeling out of your depth. Knowing the basics with the help of a personal injury lawyer, claims work will help you set realistic expectations while planning your next steps.

Your Legal Rights After an Injury

When someone else's carelessness harms you, you have options. Personal injury law gives you the right to seek damages to cover:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Damaged property
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Many injury victims ask for less than they deserve because they only think about their current medical bills. A proper review of your losses involves looking at how your injury affects your life as a whole, including your future.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Case

Certain mistakes made during the process of filing a personal injury claim could greatly reduce what you receive. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

Talking to Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer

Don't give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without your personal injury lawyer present. Insurance providers often seek to pay out as little as possible, and they'll use your words against you if they can.

Accepting the First Settlement Offer You Get

Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement hoping you'll accept before you know how bad your injuries really are. The truth is that these early offers are almost always insufficient.

Delaying or Forgoing Medical Care

Gaps in your medical care will allow the other side to argue that your injuries aren't serious or weren't sustained in the accident. See a doctor even if your accident seemed minor, like slipping and falling on a wet floor.

How a Personal Injury Case Progresses

Personal injury cases follow a specific progression, though the timing of each phase can vary. Here’s how you can expect your case to shape up:

Medical Treatment

First and foremost, you must address the effects of your injury. Keeping thorough records is vital during this stage. Every doctor visit, therapy session, and prescription offers concrete proof of how your injury has impacted your life.

Evidence Gathering

Next, your personal injury attorney will compile evidence to present to the insurance company. This may include medical records, bills, and similar documentation.

Negotiation

Most personal injury cases are resolved through negotiation, but it's important to operate from a position of strength. This means establishing firm boundaries and being ready to go to court if needed.

Litigation (if Necessary)

If negotiation doesn't result in a fair settlement offer, the final step is to go to court. While a trial will take longer, it may be the only way to get fair payment.

Get Your Life Back on Track

The money you recover from your claim will help you rebuild your life and offset any potential disruptions your accident may have caused in the present or threatens to cause in the future. However, the process is a delicate one. Working with a competent attorney will help you approach it with confidence and clarity. If you’re ready to talk about your situation with an experienced personal injury attorney, contact Schiff & Associates today for a free consultation. We'll help you understand your rights and options and develop a plan that fits your specific needs.

Overcome Insurance Delays With Expert Legal Guidance

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, a car accident lawyer might be able to help you secure compensation. However, as you may have already discovered, getting compensation is rarely as simple as filing an insurance claim, having it approved, and receiving a check.

In many cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you overcome insurance delays. Your lawyer might be able to expedite the claims process, and if the insurer’s delays are significant enough to constitute bad faith practices, they also might be able to pursue legal action on your behalf. Here’s a closer look.

Why Are Insurance Delays So Common in Personal Injury Claims?

Insurance companies aren’t known for promptly paying car accident claims. It’s not unusual to encounter several delay tactics:

• Repeatedly requesting additional (and seemingly unnecessary) information
• Assigning a new adjuster to your claim so you have to re-explain the accident
• Taking an inordinate amount of time to respond to you or your attorney
• Deliberately dragging out negotiations
• Offering unfairly low settlements

Insurers will often use these tactics in an effort to protect their profits. If they can get you to accept a lowball settlement, they can limit how much they have to pay. And the longer they can hold onto their funds, the more interest those funds can accrue.

How a Car Accident Lawyer May Help

Retaining a car accident attorney doesn’t guarantee that your insurer won’t delay your claim. However, insurance companies are more likely to be willing to negotiate if you have a lawyer. They know that a personal injury attorney will take your case to trial if they don’t receive a reasonable settlement offer, but someone with no legal representation is less likely to file a lawsuit.

Just having an attorney working with you can help you avoid delays, but lawyers also employ specific strategies like the following to combat unethical delay tactics.

Thorough Investigation

If the insurance company is presented with detailed, comprehensive evidence from the very start, it will be harder for it to justify asking for more information or offering to pay far less than the claim is worth.

When you work with a personal injury attorney, your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your accident. This process is similar to a police investigation of a crime. Once your attorney has gathered ample evidence, they will likely file an insurance claim on your behalf.

Tenacious Negotiation

Most insurance companies aren’t going to just approve and pay a claim without a fight. Personal injury cases almost always involve considerable negotiation, and the better your lawyer’s negotiation skills, the more likely they are to secure a fair settlement.

Holding Insurers Accountable for Bad-Faith Tactics

If an insurance company’s delays are significant enough, your attorney may be able to file a bad-faith insurance lawsuit. An insurer who acts in bad faith is intentionally failing to fulfill its contractual obligations. In this case, that means it is not paying a legitimate claim that your insurance contract requires it to.

Do You Need an Attorney to Help With a Car Accident Claim?

There is no legal requirement to retain a lawyer before you file a car accident claim. However, it’s important to remember that insurance companies don’t prioritize helping injured people — their main goal is to protect their bottom line. The right personal injury lawyer can advocate for you and increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

If you need to file an insurance claim or you’re dealing with undue delays on an existing claim, Schiff & Associates may be able to help. Give us a call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.