After suffering a car accident injury, an attorney might be the last place you would look for assistance. However, an attorney can provide more help than most individuals realize. Below is a discussion of the few of the ways in which an attorney can help an individual injured in a car accident.
Refer to Physicians
Attorneys and doctors who treat auto accident victims often work closely together. While this relationship is often criticized, it exists for the good of the patient. Doctors know how to best treat a patient and attorneys understand how to obtain compensation for the patient’s treatments and the doctor’s findings on permanent disability and future medical care. Because of this, many attorneys are able to refer their clients to physicians in the area that will address their needs in a manner that will later be usable as evidence in negotiations or litigation.
Gather Expert Recommendations
Similarly, attorneys are able to refer their clients to experts that are able to evaluate and later testify about the patient’s injuries. In many states, experts must be certified as such by the bar or medical associations as well as the court prior to being able to provide testimony. An attorney will know which physicians in the area are recognized experts that will later be usable in court, if necessary. Furthermore, experts often charge high up-front fees for their evaluation and testimony which an attorney might be able to negotiate to a lower rate to save the patient money.
Valuation of Injuries
Another important task that falls within attorney expertise is the valuation of a client’s injuries. An attorney will consider the type of injury, its location and permanence, the amount of fault attributable to the party himself when making a preliminary value estimate of the case. Subsequently, an attorney will research to determine the average damage awards for similar injuries in your area to better identify the value of your injuries and potential compensation.
Obtain Interim Compensation
Few physicians will provide services for free, making it essential that an injured party have adequate funds to finance his treatment. An attorney can assist his client with obtaining interim compensation to pay doctors for his treatment prior to the finalization of his case.
Getting Legal Help
If you have been injured in an auto accident and are considering filing a claim or lawsuit, seek legal advice. An attorney will review the facts of your case and identify those issues with which his expertise may be helpful to you.
