Being in a car accident can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Suddenly, you’re facing mounting medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost income from work, insurance adjusters pressuring you, and long-term impacts from your injuries.
The deck seems stacked against you. However, an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney can empower you and take concrete steps to significantly improve your claim and chances of obtaining fair compensation.
Performing an Independent Investigation
A skilled Kansas City car accident attorney empowers your claim early on by launching an in-depth independent investigation into how the collision occurred. Retaining legal representation right away ensures important evidence gets preserved and analyzed while still fresh. An attorney’s objective crash investigation provides leverage when dealing with insurance companies later.
Establishing Clear Liability
Figuring out who was legally at fault for causing the accident can be confusing after a collision, especially when multiple cars are involved. Based on their independent investigation, an attorney can establish negligence and liability by pinning blame entirely on the other motorist(s). Removing any question of shared fault strengthens your stance when seeking damages.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance carriers have teams of attorneys and adjusters who use sneaky tactics to deny, delay, and minimize claims. They will take advantage if you try to negotiate a settlement yourself. An experienced car accident lawyer levels the playing field by aggressively negotiating on your behalf and applying pressure points to get insurers to offer a fairer settlement.
Valuing Your Claim Properly
Most crash victims underestimate what their claim is truly worth, leaving money on the table. Your attorney will meticulously tally all accident-related expenses and utilize valuation tools to put a maximum price tag on your claim. This prevents you from accepting an undervalued settlement offer and justifies pursuing a higher demand.
Filing Claims Correctly
There are strict procedures and deadlines for submitting claims to insurance companies after an accident. One missed deadline can sink your entire claim. Your attorney has systems in place to properly file claims on time and follow up relentlessly to keep the ball moving. You avoid jeopardizing your claim due to simple administrative errors.
Gathering Documentation
Your compensation potential is directly tied to the strength of evidence proving your expenses, damages, injuries, losses, and hardship resulting from the crash. An attorney gathers police reports, medical records, doctor testimony, income loss documentation, rehabilitation assessments, and all other relevant evidence to build an ironclad demand package backed by proof.
Understanding Laws and Legal Options
The legal system is complex, but your attorney can explain how state laws relate to your claim and outline your options in simple terms you understand. For example, Missouri follows “pure comparative fault” auto insurance laws. Your lawyer translates how legal intricacies like this impact your potential settlements and trial prospects if negotiations fail.
Taking Your Case to Court If Needed
While most accident lawsuits settle out of court, having legal counsel with extensive litigation experience gives you options if settlement talks reach an impasse. Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and aggressively argue your case in court for maximum compensation.
Acting as Your Legal Representative
You deserve to have a fierce advocate in your corner, fighting for your best interests every step of the way. A talented Kansas City car accident lawyer who fields calls, deals with creditors, communicates with the insurance providers and at-fault parties, and handles all case details while you focus on recovery. With an attorney as your representative, you get peace of mind.
Other Key Factors to Consider
Having an experienced car accident attorney as your advocate empowers your claim in several other key factors as well:
- They can bring in outside experts like accident reconstructionists and medical specialists to provide opinions that strengthen your case. As an individual, you don’t have access to these resources.
- They understand mandatory pre-trial procedures and will represent you skillfully during the discovery and deposition phases of litigation if a trial becomes necessary.
- They stay on top of case progress, next steps, and important deadlines so you don’t miss out on anything critical while recovering.
- They can advise you on whether to accept a settlement offer or reject it and continue pursuing more compensation through negotiations or trials. Their objective counsel empowers your decision-making.
- They always have your best interests in mind. Their only goal is maximizing your claim payout. They provide advice without any emotional investment clouding their judgment.
- They understand how to employ aggressive legal strategies while also choosing their battles wisely. An effective lawyer picks the right fights to empower your case.
Having a talented car accident attorney in your corner levels the playing field, protects your rights, applies pressure where needed, and vigorously pursues fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Their expertise and advocacy empower your claim.
Suffering injuries in a car accident often feels powerless. But hiring a skilled Kansas City auto accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash evens the odds in your favor. With an accomplished lawyer handling your claim, you are empowered to seek the maximum compensation you deserve. Your rights will be protected each step of the way.
