The Benefits of Getting a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Posted by: Copenhaver, Ellet & Derrico

After being seriously injured in a car accident, the last thing you want to do is file a lawsuit. You should be able to focus on healing. But not only is the statute of limitations deadline approaching, but your financial recovery may also be up to a large insurance company.

Having an experienced car accident lawyer in Roanoke representing your interests could be your best chance at getting what you deserve. At Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico, we are committed to helping car accident injury victims like you navigate the claims process and exercise their right to full restitution.

Still unsure if getting a car accident lawyer is right for you? Here are some of the ways an attorney could benefit your car accident claim. If you have additional questions, contact us to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.

1. Figure Out Who Is At Fault & Who Should Pay

Establishing fault is arguably the most important part of any car accident claim. You can’t win if you don’t prove that someone else is at fault for your car accident.

If your injuries are severe, you won’t have the physical capacity to conduct a thorough investigation. And you might not know where to start if you did. But when you hire a legal professional, we have the resources to identify who’s responsible, collect evidence, and target all the liability insurance policies.

Several different parties could have contributed to your accident. Some of them include:

  • Aggressive or risky drivers
  • Government agencies
  • Alcohol-serving or selling establishments (dram shops)
  • Auto parts manufacturers
  • Vehicle designers
  • Auto dealerships
  • Safety inspectors
  • Negligent employers
  • Other relevant parties

These are only a few of the parties who could be at fault for your injuries. Only an in-depth review of your case can determine who is responsible for what’s happened to you.

2. Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement

If you go through the car accident claims process, you will want to maximize your settlement. The only way to make sure you get the most out of your claim is to get a legal professional to analyze the various ways your life has been affected by your injuries.

You might know that you can seek repayment for your lost wages and medical expenses. But there are other losses you could also be compensated for. Some of these could include:

  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of household services
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience

Some of these losses are non-economic. This means they don’t have a set monetary value. But that doesn’t make them less valuable. A dedicated car accident lawyer can help you quantify these losses. This will help to ensure you can secure full compensation.

3. Get Help With the Insurance Claims Process

A challenging but necessary part of most car accident claims is filing the insurance claim. You may have thought the insurer wanted to help you. But the truth is, if they settle your claim, they’re going to lose money.

You can expect the insurer to try to reduce your compensation anywhere possible. They may try to blame you for the accident. They could twist your words and use them against you. They could even make you a low-ball offer when you need cash most.

But when you have a lawyer representing your interests, we can protect your money. We are not afraid to push back against money-hungry insurers. We’ll stand our ground and get the most from the insurance company. In doing so, we may even be able to avoid bringing your case to court.

4. Be Ready & Unafraid of Court

No one wants to have to go to court. But just because you can settle outside of court doesn’t mean you should. Preparing a case for trial lets you collect evidence through the discovery phase and puts the other side on notice that they can’t make you go away quickly. Remember, you have the right to be made whole.

Settling for less is unreasonable. Your car accident lawyer won’t be afraid to bring your case to trial if it means increasing the amount you are awarded.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Roanoke

There is no doubt. Having the rights Roanoke car accident lawyer on your side could make all the difference in your case. When you call Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico, you can focus on your recovery. We take care of everything else. Let us discuss your options and work to obtain maximum compensation.

Schedule a free, no-risk consultation. Call our office at (540) 655-1854 or fill out our online contact form to get started today.