What Does a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Car accidents are a harrowing experience, often leaving victims in shock, hurt, and full of uncertainty about the future. In the aftermath of a serious car crash, one of the most important decisions you can make is to seek the guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer.
Of course, the role of an injury lawyer extends far beyond just giving legal advice. Before searching for “accident attorneys near me,” it may help to first understand the answer to an important question: what does a car accident lawyer do?
Free Case Evaluation
The help a car accident attorney provides begins with your first meeting. The initial free consultation is an invaluable service that helps you understand the potential strength of your case. During the consultation, the lawyer will listen to your story and ask questions. They will help you understand potential issues with your case and the legal options that may be available.
Personalized Legal Advice
Throughout your case, your lawyer will provide legal guidance and advice. Your attorney will guide you through the claims process and give you the insight and knowledge you need to make informed decisions.
This guidance is particularly important when you receive a settlement offer. Your lawyer will advise you on whether an offer is fair and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of settling or proceeding to court.
The advice of an experienced car accident lawyer can also help you avoid mistakes that can harm your case.
Gathers Evidence
Accident attorneys understand the evidence necessary to prove your claim and justify your damages. Your lawyer will perform an in-depth investigation and gather evidence that may be hard to obtain on your own.
Evidence can include:
- Cell phone records of a driver suspected to be texting or on the phone
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Dashcam footage from another driver
- Truck driver and truck maintenance logs
- Witness statements
This evidence may require filing subpoenas, interviewing witnesses, and conducting depositions.
Works With Experts
To strengthen your case, accident attorneys often work with a network of experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists. Their expertise can help paint a clearer picture of the accident and your damages, lending credibility to your claim.
Assesses Your Damages
A crucial aspect of the lawyer’s role is to accurately assess the damages you’ve incurred. This includes determining the full extent of your injuries, estimating the value of future losses like reduced earning capacity, and assessing the value of non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Handles Paperwork and Communications
While you focus on your recovery, your lawyer will handle all the paperwork involved with your claim and track all deadlines. Your lawyer also handles all communications with insurance adjusters and other attorneys. This ensures your interests and rights are protected.
Remember: it’s always best to let your lawyer handle communications with the insurance company. The insurance adjuster is not on your side. They will try to catch you on record, giving inconsistent statements. They may bait you into making remarks that will be misconstrued and used against you.
Negotiates a Settlement Agreement
Most car accident cases are settled out of court. Your attorney will negotiate a settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Accident lawyers are experienced negotiators. This expertise can increase the odds of getting a fair settlement compared to negotiating on your own.
Your attorney’s goal is to resolve your case favorably and quickly without accepting less than a fair amount. Your lawyer will not pressure you to accept an unfair offer or act too quickly.
Presents Your Case In Court
In the event that a fair settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will file a lawsuit to proceed to court. This is typically a long process with many steps, including pretrial motions and depositions. Even after a lawsuit is filed, negotiations typically continue.
During the discovery process, both sides learn more about the evidence and position of the other side. It’s common to reach a favorable settlement agreement during discovery when the insurance company sees the strength of your case.
A Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Guides You Through the Claims Process
After a serious accident, your priority should be getting the medical care you need. A car accident law firm helps by building the strongest claim possible while you recover.
If you have been injured in a crash, a car accident lawyer can help you explore your legal options and pursue fair compensation.
Contact a Baton Rouge, LA Car Accident Lawyer from Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA today. We have three convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
We proudly serve East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish, Orleans Parish, and its surrounding areas:
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Baton Rouge Office
404 Europe Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70124
(225) 263-4787
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
318 Harrison Avenue Suite 107 New Orleans, Louisiana, 70802
(504) 294-3804
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Lafayette Office
1318 Camellia Boulevard Suite 206 Lafayette, Louisiana, 70508
(337) 473-2991