On-road safety is an aspect that cannot be taken for granted. Unfortunately, thousands of auto and truck accidents are reported every year, and a considerable number of them are reported in states like Indiana. Following a car accident, there can be chaos and confusion. The first obvious step is to seek medical assistance, and once you feel better, you should consider gathering evidence. Try and note down the witnesses present at the scene, take pictures of the accident site, and if you feel better, make sure to gather other evidence. If you are injured to an extent that you cannot take these steps, contact an experienced Fort Wayne car accident lawyer right away. Here’s the basics of car accident injury settlement.
Meeting an attorney
‘Do I really need a car accident lawyer?’ This is one of the first things that many people ask. Hiring a lawyer is entirely your personal call, but their role in such cases and filing a claim cannot be denied. Your car accident lawyer is your first point of contact in understanding if you have a claim in the first place. Secondly, if there are other parties at fault, they will determine whether there is scope for a third-party lawsuit.
Filing the claim
The next step is to notify the insurer about the accident. Make sure that you don’t give a statement that will be hard to prove, or can be used against you. This is exactly where you will need an attorney, because they know what it takes to negotiate with the insurance company of the driver at fault.
Negotiation and beyond
Your car accident lawyer will ensure that the at-fault party’s insurance company makes a reasonable offer. In most cases, settlements happen outside of court, but there is always a possibility of a trial, especially when the insurance company has denied the claim or made an unexpectedly low compensation offer.
Hiring a lawyer
If you want to find a reliable and known car accident lawyer in Indiana, you have to check if they have experience with such cases. Make sure that they deal with personal injury law as their primary specialty, and the concerned lawyer needs to be available. Meet your attorney in person to find more on their expertise, and don’t shy away from asking about court expenses and their fee. Eventually, your compensation needs to be good enough to justify the effort.