Laws can vary from state to state. This often means that what might be true in one area regarding a personal injury claim might not be accurate in another.
However, that’s not to say that some information isn’t relevant, regardless of where you call home in the United States. No matter your chosen attorney or location, the following information can be pertinent to your unique situation.
Evidence Is Important
Whether you’re working with an accident attorney in Georgia, New Jersey, Colorado, or elsewhere in the US, evidence can be important. The strength of your evidence can be integral to your case’s success and whether you receive the compensation you deserve. Some of the most critical pieces of evidence to have in a personal injury case can include:
● Police reports
● Medical records
● Photos and videos of the accident and injuries
● Witness statements
● Driver information
The more of this evidence you have, the stronger your personal injury case might be.
You Shouldn’t Talk to Your Insurance Company
While you can tell your insurance company you’ve had an accident, leaving further communication to your personal injury lawyer is often in your best interests. Otherwise, your insurance company can use anything you tell them to deny your claim or offer an unsuitable settlement figure. Insurance companies can use several tactics to undervalue car accident claims, such as:
● Looking for pre-existing conditions in your doctor’s notes
● Claiming you aren’t as injured as you are
● Trying to assign you more fault in an accident
● Making you sign a release against further liability
You Can Be Entitled to Multiple Damages
On a surface level, it can seem like you’d only need to be compensated for vehicle damage and emergency department care medical bills. However, car accidents can be far costlier in the long term. As a result, you can often be entitled to multiple damages.
Medical bills can be more expensive than you think, with not only emergency care to cover but future doctor visits, specialist appointments, at-home care, and medication. You might have also needed to stop work, meaning you might be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
Many people also successfully receive compensation for pain and suffering, property damage, funeral and burial costs for loved ones, and punitive damages.
Contingency Fees May Apply
Legal experts can charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their expertise. These hourly fees might discourage you from seeking the compensation you deserve. However, contingency fees are a typical structure in all states.
If your chosen law firm works on a contingency fee basis, this means that they only charge you for their time if your case reaches a successful conclusion. If it does, they take 20% to 50% of the recovery amount. This fee structure makes legal services accessible to those who might not be financially able to seek help.
There’s no denying that laws can vary from state to state. However, some parts of the law remain the same. Contact your local personal injury attorney to learn more about state or federal laws. They can reiterate these facts above and provide clarification where needed.
