What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

Were you injured in a car accident in Huntsville, Alabama? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you recover the full amount you deserve.

Car accident cases can quickly become complicated, especially when dealing with insurance companies. A skilled car accident attorney will advocate for your best interests—making sure your claim is accurately valued and that insurers don’t shortchange you.

Let our experienced legal team handle the legal process so you can focus on healing. Contact us today at (256) 781-9242 to speak with a trusted Huntsville car accident lawyer.

How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Huntsville, AL

How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Huntsville, AL 

After a serious crash, navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming, especially when you’re facing injuries, medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies. That’s where a lawyer comes in. 

A Huntsville personal injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help you with every aspect of your case. Below are some of the key ways an attorney can support you throughout the legal process.

Investigate Your Accident & Gather Evidence

One of the first things a car accident lawyer will do is investigate your accident and help gather evidence to prove your case. Some lawyers have teams of investigators who can go to the accident scene to take photos, get video footage, and gather other evidence from the scene. A lawyer can also interview witnesses who saw the accident.

Sometimes, expert witnesses may be needed to help prove your claim. Many car accident lawyers have an extensive network of experts who may be used to bolster your claim. These experts can provide testimony that will help explain complex information in a simple and easy to understand way.

Assess the Value of Your Claim

An important part of a car accident lawyer’s job is to assess the overall value of your claim. Without knowing the value of your case, it is easy to be taken advantage of. 

Lawyers will assess many factors to determine your claim’s value, including:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The cost of your medical bills
  • How much time you missed from work
  • Whether you will be able to return to work
  • How your relationships with friends and family have been affected
  • The amount of insurance coverage available

By thoroughly evaluating these factors, your lawyer can build a compelling case that reflects the full impact of the accident and ensure you pursue every dollar you’re owed.

Determine the Damages Available 

Victims who have been hurt in a car accident are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These damages are meant to compensate victims for both their financial losses and their physical and emotional pain. 

Some common examples of damages resulting from a car accident are:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Economic damages are fairly straightforward to calculate by using bills, receipts, and other documentation. However, putting a value on non-economic damages can be more challenging. An experienced lawyer can help calculate the value of all the damages to which you are entitled.

Negotiate a Settlement With the Insurance Company

A car accident lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company and will work to negotiate a settlement of your claim. Most personal injury cases are settled without going to trial, and a lawyer might use mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods to help reach a settlement. 

Car accident lawyers know the tactics often used by insurance companies to minimize the value of claims, and they can help ensure you get a top-dollar settlement.

File a Lawsuit

In some cases, the insurance company simply refuses to make a fair offer. When that happens, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your claim to court. Even the threat of a lawsuit can be the leverage you need to get a fair offer, and filing a lawsuit can certainly make the insurance company raise its offer. Once a lawsuit is filed, settlement negotiations may continue, but your case could eventually end up in front of a jury at trial.

How Much Does Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

After an accident, you may already be struggling to pay medical expenses and other bills. Many victims are concerned about the cost of hiring a car accident lawyer to help them. Thankfully, hiring a car accident lawyer will not cost anything upfront. These lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.

When using a contingency fee, the lawyer does not require an upfront payment. Instead, they take their fee as a portion of any money they win for the client. Contingency fees in car accident cases often vary from 25% to 50% of the total financial recovery, depending on:

  • Your location
  • The complexity of the case
  • The lawyer’s experience
  • The lawyer’s success rate or track record
  • Whether the case settles or goes to trial

Contingency fee agreements should always be in writing, and you should make sure you fully understand how the fee will be calculated prior to signing the agreement. 

Get Help From a Huntsville Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers today. We can help with every detail of your claim and will work to ensure you get full and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation with a Huntsville car accident attorney.