Whether you have been in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you should give serious thought to hiring a lawyer to assist you. With fender benders and very minor property damage, you may want to handle things on your own. But even a small crash can morph into larger issues, and it may be a good idea to ask an attorney just to take a look at the facts of your case.
Of course, if a loved one has died due to the negligence of another, you may want to explore a wrongful death action. Only certain people can file a wrongful death case, and it can be very complex, so you will doubtless want to consult a car accident lawyer if the accident ended so tragically and some survivors financially depended on the deceased.
Reasons to hire a lawyer in a typical vehicular accident are numerous, but we narrowed it to five–focusing on the unique specialties offered by an attorney, like those at Slater & Zurz law firm. Of course, we realize no amount of money could ever replace your loved one, and we are not claiming to do that. We are using the laws of Ohio to benefit injured parties so they can get justice in a very tough situation.
1. A Lawyer Can Access Evidence that May Not Be Easy to Obtain.
If you were seriously hurt in the accident, you might not be physically able to collect any evidence at the scene, and you may not feel well enough after the crash to start delving into why the accident happened and who may have been negligent. You may even be at the point of needing ongoing care. Your personal injury lawyer can “get on things” right away—determining who was at fault and what damages you may be able to collect for your injuries. Your lawyer can do the legwork, so you don’t have to.
Sometimes, it takes a court order to get certain types of data. For example, if you were involved in a multiple-car crash, you may need a court order to access the other driver’s data recorder or the recording devices of more than one driver. Newer vehicles have a “black box” that records critical information during a crash. You can learn how fast the car was going during the crash and whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt. This can be valuable evidence.
2. An Attorney Can Fight Charges Related to the Accident if the At-Fault Driver Disputes Fault.
If the at-fault party on record denies responsibility for the accident, the attorney for the party not-at-fault (the plaintiff’s attorney) can easily find out why the fault is being disputed and discover if there is any substance to the claim.
Your attorney can discuss this with the opponent’s lawyer. If there are any grounds for the dispute, he can attempt to settle it to the satisfaction of all parties so that liability is a clear issue as the case continues.
Slater & Zurz accident attorneys have the skill level and years of experience to handle any challenges from the defendant. By hiring an attorney who knows the law, especially insurance law, you give yourself the best possible chance to have any rough edges in the case smoothed out to receive maximum compensation.
Your attorney also knows the procedural rules of the law and regulations governing personal injury law and liability in Ohio. He knows the local rules of the court if your case winds up there. Without years of practice, your knowledge of the law and procedure would unlikely be anywhere near that of an experienced personal injury attorney. Keep this in mind if you even think about handling the case yourself.
3. A Lawyer Can Help Negotiate an Out-of-Court Settlement.
You should only settle your auto accident case if the amount offered is fair based on your injuries and damages. The first offer is usually not the best, and your lawyer will protect you from an unfair, unreasonably low offer that does not properly calculate the value of your case.
If you do not have experience negotiating with insurance company representatives, you will likely be at a disadvantage if you have not retained a car accident lawyer familiar with the negotiation process. An insurance adjuster may get you to inadvertently issue a statement or make a comment that could adversely affect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve. A Slater & Zurz accident attorney will make sure this doesn’t happen.
4. An Attorney Can Help You Communicate with the Insurance Company.
Legally you don’t have to answer questions or even talk to the other driver’s insurance company, but accident victims are sometimes caught off-guard. Your attorney will help you handle any communications with insurance companies and will tell them to stop trying to contact you if things get to the point that you feel harassed.
Being represented can have a significant impact on your claim. Your car accident lawyer will handle all the details and help prepare a written or verbal statement about the accident that is crafted to your benefit. Your attorney knows the tactics used to minimize what the insurance companies pay and will do everything possible to make sure your best interests prevail.
5. Most law firms have “Contingency” plans for paying legal bills.
Not too many people who need a lawyer after a car, truck, or motorcycle accident can afford to pay upfront for all the resources needed to conduct a successful case, especially if there have been serious injuries and significant property damage or even just one of the two. This is why many law firms offer a “contingency plan.”
This means that the law firm bears the expenses of investigating the case and preparing it for trial. The client doesn’t owe any legal fees unless compensation is obtained for the client in a trial verdict or settlement. Hiring experts can be one of the major costs of a personal injury case and can cost thousands of dollars.
The car accident lawyers at Slater & Zurz will also try to save you money by offering a FREE case assessment and FREE initial consultation.
Where to Find Slater & Zurz Law Firm
Slater & Zurz law firm has five convenient locations throughout Ohio, including Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. If you believe you may need a car accident attorney or want to learn more about how having representation can help you, please call our attorneys at 1-888-534-4850.
If you desire, they will set up a time for you to talk to them in person. Otherwise, you may contact them at the number above or contact us online. There you will find a short form you can fill out explaining your needs. You can send the form back using your mobile phone.
