How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get a Better Settlement

In Texas, negligent drivers must pay for the damages they cause. Knowing how to seek compensation for your losses and how to maximize the value of your claim can make or break your case. A car accident injury lawyer in San Antonio is your best resource for legal expertise throughout the claim submission process.

How a Car Accident Injury Lawyer in San Antonio Can Help You Get a Better Settlement

While receiving compensation for your losses is your legal right, the burden of proof is on you. You must be able to show that the other driver caused the accident and that your injuries were a direct result of the crash. Because most car accident cases settle outside of court, the value of your claim will likely depend on your ability to communicate the cost of the accident to the other driver’s insurance company. Building a strong case that lives up to legal standards requires detailed knowledge of personal injury law. In addition to helping you identify sources of evidence, your lawyer will handle communications with the insurance company, keep you informed about deadlines, and help you avoid costly mistakes. You can expect your lawyer to:

Help You Understand How the Claim Submission Process Works

One of the reasons many people miss out on the compensation they deserve is that they feel overwhelmed by the claim submission process. How and where are claims submitted? What is the statute of limitations for personal injuries? What happens if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to pay?

Your lawyer will provide answers to all of these questions. He or she will also help you fill out the forms you need to submit to the insurance company. In the unlikely event that you need to book a court date, he or she will make sure that you observe all of the applicable legal deadlines. You can check out this site for more information about the legal services offered by personal injury attorneys.

Look Out for Your Interests Exclusively

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they can rely on the insurance company for advice. While insurance companies are contractually obligated to honor their policies, they are still for-profit entities. You might find that their agents use deceptive tactics, such as offering you a low settlement before you have the chance to speak with a lawyer. Additionally, when insurance companies send adjusters to look into the claims they receive, the investigations are almost always biased against the claimant. Unlike the insurance company, your lawyer is bound by professional standards set by the bar association to act in your interests exclusively. Your lawyer should make you aware of any actions that might jeopardize the value of your claim, such as accepting a settlement offer without considering whether or not you should negotiate for more money. Throughout the investigation, your lawyer will use techniques designed to uncover evidence in your favor while building a case against the defense’s potential counterarguments.

Consider All of Your Losses

When you are recovering from an accident, you deserve to get all of the compensation to which you are entitled. While the insurance company might try to pressure you into settling for a low figure outside of court, an experienced attorney will fight to make sure that your payout accounts for all of your losses. Even before negotiations with the insurance company start, your lawyer will make sure you are aware of all the various damages you can list on your claim. Damages for which you may be eligible include both economic and noneconomic losses. While most people are aware that they are entitled to monetary compensation for their medical bills and their lost wages, you may be surprised to learn that you can hold the liable party accountable for emotional stress and pain and suffering.

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Insurance companies know that they have a smaller chance of winning a case against a claimant who has a strong attorney on his or her side. Therefore, simply having an attorney will give you leverage as you negotiate the value of your claim. Beyond showing the insurance company that you are serious, your attorney should justify the amount of money you are demanding by presenting solid arguments that are backed by evidence.

Guide You Through Contingencies

While some auto accident cases are fairly straightforward, others involve unusual circumstances that could present challenges for the claimant. What should you do if the other driver did not have insurance? What if the insurance company claims that your injuries were caused by a pre-existing condition? An experienced attorney who has argued many cases and experienced a wide variety of legal scenarios is your best guide. There is a big difference between simply settling your claim and walking away with an amount of money that is proportionate to your damages. Before you accept a settlement offer, take the time to meet with a personal injury attorney. You may find that you are entitled to more money than you initially thought.