Suppose you suffered injuries in a car crash that resulted from someone else’s negligence. In that case, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to advocate for you as soon as possible. A lawyer can protect your legal interests, advocate for your rights, and pursue the compensation you need from the at-fault party’s insurer.
Personal injury lawyers typically operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they do not take a fee unless and until the accident victim recovers compensation through settlement or litigation. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of the accident victim’s gross recovery.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will explain their contingency fee agreement and ensure you understand it. After signing, your lawyer can aggressively fight for your legal interests and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Reasons Car Accidents Happen
Driver negligence is a significant contributor to car accidents, and different types of negligent behaviors on the road can lead to collisions. Understanding these types of negligence is crucial for promoting safer driving habits and preventing accidents. The following are common forms of driver negligence:
- Fatigued driving
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Speeding
- Failing to obey traffic signs, signals, and laws
- Failing to use a turn signal at the proper time
Addressing these forms of negligence through public awareness campaigns, strict law enforcement, and educational initiatives is crucial for promoting road safety and reducing the frequency of car accidents caused by driver negligence.
Car Accident Types
Drivers’ negligence on the road can lead to various types of car accidents, each with its own set of consequences and potential injuries. Understanding these types of accidents is essential for drivers to stay vigilant and take preventive measures. Here are common car accidents that may occur when other drivers are negligent:
- Rear-end Collisions — One of the most frequent types of accidents, rear-end –collisions, happen when a driver fails to maintain a safe following distance and crashes into the vehicle in front of them. This negligence often results from distractions, such as texting or tailgating.
- T-bone or Side-impact Collisions — Failure to yield, running red lights, or disregarding stop signs can lead to T-bone collisions, whereby one vehicle collides with the side of another. These accidents often occur at traffic intersections and can lead to severe injuries, especially for occupants on the side of the impacted vehicle.
- Head-on Collisions — Head-on collisions can occur when a driver crosses the centerline or travels in the wrong direction on a one-way street. These accidents are often catastrophic and lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
- Sideswipe Accidents — Improper lane changes, failure to use turn signals at the proper times, and failure to check blind spots can result in sideswipe accidents. These collisions typically occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact along their sides.
- Multi-vehicle Pileups — Reckless driving actions, such as exceeding speed limits or maintaining inadequate following distances in challenging weather or road conditions, can cause multi-vehicle pileups, especially on multi-lane highways. These accidents involve several vehicles and often result in complex liability issues.
- Rollover Accidents — Aggressive driving, sharp turns at high speeds, or collisions at an angle can lead to rollover accidents. These accidents frequently involve large, heavy vehicles, including big rigs and tractor-trailers.
- Traffic Intersection Accidents — Negligent behaviors at roadway intersections, such as running red lights, yield signs, or stop signs, can lead to various types of accidents, including sideswipe and T-bone collisions.
Suppose you suffered injuries in one of these types of accidents. In that case, an experienced car accident lawyer can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf and pursue the financial recovery you need for your injuries.
Serious Injuries That May Result from a Car Accident
Car crashes can result in a range of injuries for both drivers and passengers, and the severity of these injuries can vary based on factors such as the speed of the collision, the use of safety features, and the point of impact. Here are some of the most common injuries that drivers and passengers may suffer in a car crash:
- Head injuries
- Whiplash
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Complete and incomplete paralysis
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue neck and back contusions
- Open cuts and lacerations
- Permanent scarring
- Facial contusions
Car crashes can also have a lasting effect on an injured accident victim’s overall mental health, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event can result in emotional distress.
Prompt medical attention is crucial for assessing and addressing these injuries after a car crash. Victims may require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and, in severe cases, long-term treatment to cope with the physical and psychological effects of the injuries sustained in the accident.
How Can a Lawyer Help Following a Car Crash?
Seeking the assistance of a lawyer after a car accident can be crucial for navigating the complexities of legal proceedings and ensuring that victims receive fair compensation for their injuries and losses. Here are ways that a lawyer can help after a car accident:
- Legal Guidance and Assessment — A car accident lawyer can provide legal guidance, helping victims understand their rights and assess the strengths of their case. An attorney can also evaluate the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, and determine the potential for pursuing a personal injury claim or lawsuit promptly.
- Communication with Insurance Companies — Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging because adjusters typically seek to minimize payouts. An experienced lawyer can handle communications with insurance companies on behalf of the accident victim, ensuring that statements and negotiations protect the victim’s interests.
- Efficient Evidence Gathering and Preservation — Lawyers can efficiently collect and preserve crucial evidence related to a car accident. This includes obtaining police reports, gathering witness statements, and securing any available photographs or video footage (such as from a police officer’s dashcam) that may support the accident victim’s case.
- Effectively Negotiating Settlements — Lawyers are skilled negotiators and can engage in settlement discussions with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This negotiation process aims to secure a fair and comprehensive settlement that covers all of the accident victim’s losses stemming from their accident.
- Litigation Representation — In cases where the involved parties cannot reach a fair settlement, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent the victim in court. They navigate the legal process, file necessary court documents, and present the case to a jury or judge in pursuit of a favorable result.
- Understanding of Applicable Personal Injury Laws — Car accident lawyers know applicable laws and regulations. They stay updated on relevant legal developments and leverage this knowledge to build a compelling case for their clients.
- Realistic Evaluation of Available Damages — Lawyers can assess the extent of damages suffered by the victim, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other non-economic losses. This comprehensive evaluation helps determine the appropriate amount of compensation to pursue.
- Contingency Fee Arrangement — Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they receive payment only if the victim receives compensation. This arrangement alleviates financial stress for the victim, allowing them access to legal representation without upfront costs.
Retaining an experienced car accident lawyer is instrumental in navigating the legal aftermath of an accident. From providing legal experience to negotiating with insurance companies or representing clients in court, a lawyer plays a vital role in ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve for the harm and losses they incurred in their car accident.
What Is a Car Accident Lawyer’s Fee?
Most car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee agreement, or CFA. A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement commonly used in car accident cases that allows individuals who have suffered injuries to access legal representation without upfront costs. In this arrangement, the attorney’s fees are contingent upon the case’s successful outcome. A contingency fee agreement works in a car accident case as follows:
- No Upfront Costs — One of the primary advantages of a contingency fee agreement is that the client does not need to pay any upfront legal fees. This is particularly beneficial for individuals facing financial challenges due to medical expenses, vehicle repairs, or other costs resulting from the car accident.
- Attorney Invests Time and Resources — Under a contingency fee agreement, the attorney agrees to invest their time, experience, and resources into building and pursuing the case. This includes investigating the accident, gathering evidence, communicating with insurance companies, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit and representing the client in court.
- Payment Upon Successful Outcome — The key feature of a contingency fee arrangement is that the attorney’s fees are contingent upon the successful resolution of the case. If the case results in a favorable settlement or judgment, the attorney is entitled to a percentage of the compensation recovered by the client. However, if the case is unsuccessful, the client typically does not owe the attorney any legal fees.
- Alignment of Interests — The contingency fee structure aligns the interests of the attorney and the client. Both parties share the goal of achieving a successful outcome because the attorney’s compensation is directly tied to the recovery obtained for the client. This arrangement motivates attorneys to work diligently to secure the best possible result.
- Risk Mitigation for Accident-victim Clients — Fee agreements also serve as a risk mitigation strategy for clients. The client is not financially responsible for the attorney’s fees if the case is unsuccessful. This arrangement allows individuals with valid claims to pursue legal action without the fear of incurring significant upfront costs.
- Transparent Communication — Attorneys typically discuss the terms of the contingency fee agreement with their clients before formally entering into the arrangement. This transparency helps clients understand the financial aspects of their legal representation and allows them to make informed decisions.
A contingency fee agreement offers a practical and accessible way for car accident victims to secure legal representation without the burden of immediate financial obligations. This arrangement empowers individuals to pursue their claims with the assurance that legal fees are contingent on successfully resolving their case.
Compensation in a Car Accident Case
Following a car accident, victims may be eligible to recover various monetary damages to compensate for the incident’s physical, financial, and emotional toll. Common types of damages include compensation for all related:
- Pain and Suffering — Non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish, may be available. Accident victims may also pursue compensation for inconvenience, loss of life enjoyment, loss of use of a body part, or loss of spousal companionship. Calculating pain and suffering damages is subjective and frequently depends upon the severity of the accident victim’s injuries.
- Lost Income— If the accident leads to the victim’s missing work or experiencing a reduction in income, they may be entitled to recover lost income and compensation for loss of earning capacity.
- Medical Expenses — Victims can seek compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred because of the accident. This encompasses hospital bills, surgeries, prescription medications, and therapy.
- Property Damage — Compensation for repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle and any personal property inside is recoverable. This includes the costs associated with vehicle repairs, rental cars, or the fair market value of a totaled vehicle.
Always note that the specific damages recoverable can vary based on the circumstances of the accident, the severity of injuries, and the applicable laws in the jurisdiction. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is essential for understanding the full scope of recoverable damages and navigating the legal process to secure fair compensation.
Speak with a Local Car Accident Lawyer Right Away
If you have questions about a lawyer’s contingency fee agreement, you need to ask those questions right away. Your personal injury attorney can then aggressively represent you and pursue the financial recovery you need — either through a favorable insurance company settlement offer or litigation in court.
Because it costs you nothing to begin the legal process, there is no reason to delay. Preserve your rights to compensation by consulting a car accident attorney near you. They are ready to help you.
