Summary
- Accident lawyers investigate accidents and gather evidence
- Accident lawyers negotiate with insurers to maximize your recovery
- Personal injury lawyers don’t charge fees up front
After being in an accident, a lawyer can make it easier for you to navigate the legal process and get compensation. Accidents come in all forms, from car and truck crashes to product malfunctions. In 2022, motor vehicle accidents alone resulted in 5.2 million medically consulted injuries throughout the country, costing victims serious losses.
By filing a claim, however, it’s possible to get compensation for what you’ve lost. At ConsumerShield, we’re dedicated to helping you connect with experienced accident lawyers who can help you through the process.
8 Types of Accident Lawyers You Might Need
Not all accident lawyers are the same. Some firms and individual lawyers represent victims of almost any type of accident, but others choose to adopt a narrower focus. These are some of the most common kinds of accident lawyers you may encounter:
1. Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are relatively common, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re simple. A skilled car accident lawyer needs to be able to determine liability, effectively investigate an accident, and negotiate with insurance companies.
2. Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accident lawyers have experience with some of the unique challenges riders face. It’s not uncommon for courts and insurers to view motorcyclists as being reckless by default. Sometimes, this makes it harder for motorcyclists to recover the compensation they deserve.
3. Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt by a commercial truck, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer. Trucking accidents often involve fatalities and catastrophic injuries, and under the doctrine of vicarious liability, the trucking company can often be held liable for the actions of its drivers.
4. Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
For pedestrians, something that seems like a minor accident to a driver could result in serious injuries. It can be difficult to collect evidence after a pedestrian accident case, so working with a lawyer who has handled similar cases is important.
5. Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Like pedestrians, bicyclists can be seriously injured or killed even by low-impact crashes. Because cyclists’ rights can vary considerably from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, you need an attorney with a strong track record involving local cycling accidents.
6. Slip and Fall Lawyer
To someone who hasn’t been hurt in one, a slip and fall accident might sound minor. However, these incidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and other major injuries.
Slip and falls frequently happen inside businesses, and those businesses often have highly paid attorneys. The best way to increase your chances of success is to select an attorney who routinely handles these kinds of cases.
7. Rideshare Accident Attorney
Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies are convenient. However, when they’re involved in accidents, rideshare companies make it difficult to recover compensation. A rideshare accident lawyer can determine whether the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or a third party was responsible.
8. Boat Accident Lawyer
Boat accidents aren’t just car accidents on the water. To effectively represent you, your boat accident lawyer must understand maritime law and how it applies to injury cases.
How Accident Lawyers Can Help Your Case
Wondering how your accident lawyer can help you? That depends on the circumstances of your case. These are some of the most common ways your attorney may be able to assist.
1. Explaining Personal Injury Claims
Accident lawyers can help you understand whether you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation. A personal injury claim is a civil process that an injured person brings against the party responsible for the injuries they suffered. The purpose of the lawsuit is to get compensation for your losses.
One of the most crucial aspects of a personal injury claim is showing the defendant is liable. The two main grounds on which these claims can be brought are negligence and strict liability. The most common basis is negligence, which requires proving the defendant didn’t behave with the level of care that a reasonable person would.
In contrast, strict liability can hold a party accountable regardless of what their mental state or intent was. For instance, suppose that an appliance malfunctions, and you suffer an electrocution injury.
In this case, you wouldn’t need to show that the appliance’s manufacturer was negligent. The only elements you’d need to prove would be that the product was defective and you suffered losses. With an accident lawyer helping you, there’s no guesswork involved.
2. Parsing the Complexities of Joint Fault
If you’re partly responsible for an accident, you may fear not being able to receive compensation. In the majority of states, you can still recover losses if you were partly to blame because of comparative negligence laws. These rules mean the compensation you receive is affected by your percentage of fault.
Some states, however, follow contributory negligence doctrines, which don’t allow you to recover damages if you were in any way at fault. These states, along with Washington, D.C., are:
- Alabama
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Virginia
At ConsumerShield, we can help you find an accident attorney who’s willing to fight to prove you deserve compensation for what you’ve suffered. Contact us via our form to learn more about your options.
3. Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence
When you hire an accident lawyer, they will investigate how the incident occurred and gather the evidence that shows you deserve compensation. If you suffered injuries in a bike accident or car accident, for example, this evidence will likely include the police report, medical records of your injuries, witness statements and photos or videos from the scene.
4. Negotiating With Insurers
Accident lawyers will negotiate with insurance companies to get you the highest possible compensation. To manage this, a lawyer will work with you to assess the damages you’re entitled to claim in a personal injury case.
Economic and non-economic damages are available, with economic damages covering financial losses like medical expenses, lost wages and future financial needs you’ll have because of the injuries you’ve suffered. Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional distress you’ve experienced, including pain and suffering.
Insurers are not out to help you, and they could resort to underhanded tactics to intimidate you into accepting a lower settlement. A lawyer will fight for fair compensation by relying on their experience and knowledge.
5. Optional: Taking Your Claim to Court
If negotiations with insurers aren’t fruitful or if there are disputes about fault, your lawyer can argue your case in court. At trial, they will present a clear argument that demonstrates how the accident occurred and why you deserve damages.
As with other court proceedings, your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer will have the chance to present evidence and testimonies. These can include eyewitness and professional witness statements.
Accident lawyers know that you need rapid compensation to help cover the financial losses you’ve suffered. As such, they will do everything possible to get you a settlement instead of going to court.
In some cases, however, there’s no option but to take the longer route. Your lawyer will always consult with you before making any decision, so if you would rather accept a settlement than go to court, they will respect your wishes.
Accident Law Firms Near Me: Finding the Right Representation
To receive the assistance you need and file for compensation after suffering losses in an accident, getting a lawyer is essential. Finding the right representation can be tricky, however.
At ConsumerShield, we offer trusted legal advice from lawyers experienced in personal injury law. We also include a free case review that can help you get a firmer grasp of your options.
Our team can pair you with experienced lawyers who will fight to protect your rights, including in cases like oilfield accidents, and advise you on when it’s time to file for compensation. Fill out our contact form to begin the process of getting compensation.
