Arlington Car Accident Lawyer

Accident Lawyer Michael Grossman Discusses the Basics of Car Accident Cases

Most of us usually wind up being involved in a car wreck during some point in our lives. Sometimes they’re just small fender benders causing scrapes and paint damage. In other situations, these wrecks lead to serious injuries with lifelong ramifications.

Regardless of the severity of your accident, you need to take time and find out if your rights are guarded. There are times when you can take care of accidents by yourself. In other incidents, it’s best to retain an Arlington car accident lawyer for your case. In this article, Arlington car accident lawyer Michael Grossman will explain some of the basic details surrounding car accident law so you can have a better understanding of the legal process and if you should invest in getting a lawyer. In this article, you’ll find such information as:

• Facts needed to prove your case.
• What happens when an insurance company gets mixed up in your case.
• When it’s OK to handle your own claim and when you need to request legal representation.
• How to locate the right attorney for your case.

If you have extra questions concerning your legal rights, or if you can’t decide if you need a lawyer, you can call us toll free at 1-855-326-0000. We’ll also provide our opinion to you, free of charge.

What it Takes to Win

The burden proof is usually with the plaintiff when dealing with litigating car accidents. The defendant is under no presumption of guilt or liability for the plaintiff’s injuries until the plaintiff provides sufficient, credible evidence to prove he or she is responsible for their injuries. Then the plaintiff has the chance at being compensated.

Being the plaintiff, the first thing to accomplish in winning your case is to show the defendant violated the duty of care you were owed. Most drivers owe other motorists a duty of care to drive in a responsible manner to make sure other drivers and pedestrians remain safe. If a driver accidentally or willfully drives in a fashion that normal people don’t, even for a brief moment, he or she is ruled to have violated a duty of care. If a person drives drunk, then is speeding, swerving across numerous lanes, then runs a red light, the majority of time that person has violated his duty of care.

The next step in getting help to recover is for the accident victim to show how their injuries were a result of the defendant’s breach of legal duty that was owed to the victim. Many times there are lots of people who are linked to your accident, so a lot of times a defendant will attempt to shift blame to a third party, and sometimes even you, as the reason why the wreck occurred. To prove that the defendant was liable for your accident takes proper evidence that an Arlington car accident lawyer can help you find and give to the judge and jury.

The last part you need to prove is that your injuries should deserve compensation. Your injuries you’ve sustained are probably very evident to you. There could be mounting repair bills and hospital bills you aren’t able to afford. Maybe you’ve lived in constant pain since enduring the horrible accident. While you may think your injuries are obvious, don’t assume a judge and jury will be on your side. You’ll need to total how much you’re entitled to in terms of compensation and provide evidence that supports your numbers.

The Role of Insurance

Every vehicle, according to Texas state law, must have insurance, but the reality is that many choose to violate this law and drive without those papers. The driver being insured or uninsured plays a huge factor in your case’s outcome.

If on one hand the other driver had insurance, you’ll be handling negotiations with an insurance company’s adjusters. The upside here is that since there is an actual insurance policy established, there is money lurking somewhere that can serve as compensation for your injuries. The bad part is that accessing that money will take time. You’re likely going to have to even fight for it. You need to realize: Insurance companies don’t exist to help you out. They’re like every other business bent on making a profit. Whenever they see the chance, insurance companies will turn to investigators, attorneys and adjusters to attempt and deny claims of accident victims or try and get the victims to accept a low-ball offer.

If you find yourself in a situation where one or multiple parties in your accident didn’t have insurance, the motorist who was responsible for the accident will have to pay for the costs of your injuries from their own pocket. The stress of dealing with big-time, well-organized insurance companies and their teams of aggressive adjustors won’t be an issue since there’s no insurer linked to your case. Another challenge will be present, though. If the defendant linked to your case had lots of money, then they probably would have insured their car. What happens many times is that uninsured defendants don’t have the means in which to reimburse victims for their losses. If you and the defendant you’re dealing with have no insurance, an Arlington car accident lawyer can conduct an asset check on the defendant to get an accurate idea about the victim’s true worth even when they’re attempting to cover up their resources. If the defendant truly has no financial means to reimburse you, then unfortunately there’s not a lot that can be done to remedy the situation. It’s unfortunate that a lot of times plaintiffs don’t have the ability to get the compensation they deserve from an uninsured driver.

Signs You Need an Arlington Car Accident Lawyer

It’s not a wise choice to elect and go with self-representation when someone else has hurt you, but sometimes there are car cases where this isn’t a problem. Usually if the only injuries involved in a car accident involved property or your car, you’re probably good to handle this on your own. But if you walked away physically injured, then it’s probably better to hire an attorney.

Did You Know?

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If you haven’t been physically harmed, you’ll probably be fine on your own. The reason is when it’s just property damage being dealt with, insurance companies must adhere to stringent guidelines when figuring out how much compensation a victim deserves. In these situations there’s little gray area where an insurance company could have the ability to low ball you with a paltry offer.

If you’ve been in an accident and just had car damage, the first thing you need to do in getting your property damage handled accurately is swap information with the other motorist. You need to remember and collect his contact information, as well as insurance information. Then drive your car, or get it towed, to the mechanic. The mechanic will then be able to send your repair bill straight to your insurance company. After that, your insurance company will pay the mechanic and then deliver the bill to the other driver’s insurance provider to get reimbursed. Sometimes the two companies will debate over who ends up taking on the burden of covering the bill. When this happens the two companies usually find a compromise, and don’t need any help from you. If the amount that’s being dealt with exceeds $5,000, however, you probably will need to get involved and probably hire an attorney for assistance with your case.

When it comes to cases where you’ve sustained physical injuries, then this becomes different due to the fact that insurance companies don’t have certain guidelines to maintain for your compensation. If they want, they don’t have to give you a dime. If you hope to recover any damages, you have to meet the burden of proof that was mentioned earlier. If you’ve had injuries like whiplash, broken bones, head injuries, or back injuries, or have made more than one doctor’s visit, you probably should acquire an Arlington car accident lawyer to help with your claim. In matters like these, having an attorney to assist you can be the different between getting an accurate, fair settlement or winding up with nothing.

Even if you left your accident with no physical injuries, there are still times when you need to think about getting legal aid. If you overlook these warning signs and keep looking into your claim without a lawyer, you stand the chance of not getting the true value of your case.

*The other motorist is difficult: If the other motorist who was involved in your wreck is acting uncooperative and difficult, this could indicate he plans to withstand your attempts at getting compensation for your injuries. If this individual chooses not to give you his contact information or insurance information, of if they try to get you not to call the cops and report the accident, this is a sign that you need a lawyer to come shield your rights.

You’re unable to have healthcare: Following a car wreck, getting treatment for your injuries can quickly become expensive. Many who live in and near the Arlington area simply can’t afford health insurance, and those who do have it may not be able to pay their deductibles or discover the treatment they need isn’t found in their plan. Some victims will choose to neglect treatment altogether because they’re worried about the additional financial burdens that would come if they missed work to get proper medical attention.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, receiving medical attention isn’t just important for your physical well-being, but also essential for your legal case. The Arlington car accident lawyers at Grossman Law Offices can make sure you get the proper medical attention you need, even if it may not be something you can pay for. We’ll connect you with a doctor, who will be able to assist you and consider your financial situation. We’ll also explain how your income you lose when you miss work to seek medical car can be reimbursed by the defendant in your case.

The insurance company attempts to pressure you: Insurance companies want to earn a profit, and aren’t there for the sole purpose of being helpful to citizens. Following an accident, insurance companies will tend to pressure accident victims and trick them into taking much smaller settlements. If you agree to an insurance company’s settlement and don’t proceed to trial, you waive your legal right to file a lawsuit and seek extra money to help compensate you for your injuries. As long as you get a fair, ethical settlement, a settlement is a huge plus - you get your money at a quicker rate, and without the uncertainty that can emerge in a jury trial. But if you take a shady settlement offer, you’ll never get the chance to pursue what your case is worth. Don’t trust any insurance company that tries to give you a settlement before you’ve retained legal representation. Always make sure you get a settlement examined by an attorney before you sign off on anything.

Along with those factors, you should retain an attorney if you notice an insurance company exhibit these behaviors:

• Harassing you with nonstop phone calls and a barrage of questions.
• Attempting to get you to say you’re not hurt, or that the accident was your fault.
• Denying you a rental car when your car is still being worked on in the shop.
• Sending you a settlement offer with the caveat that it’s “more than you deserve” and it’s “the best they can do.”
• Saying they will handle all your medical costs and repair bills after you send them in for payment, but then deciding not to after they’ve been faxed or mailed in.

You have an uncomfortable feeling with how your case is being worked: If you think your claim isn’t being handled properly, you need to trust your gut! Always remember that the insurance company has different motives and intentions than you. While you want to get what’s fair to help with your injuries, they’ll be seeking to deny your claim or give you very little. If you’re concerned with how your claim is being worked, you can reach out to the Arlington car accident lawyers at Grossman Law Offices. We’ve defeated every well-known insurance company in the country, and also obtained settlements from them. Insurance companies are aware of us and our reputation. We know how to get them focused and making sure they handle your claim appropriately.

How to Choose the Right Arlington Car Accident Lawyer for your Case

There are tons of lawyers in the Arlington area. Choosing the one that would be the best fit for your case may appear daunting. While finding the right attorney is critical, it shouldn’t be too overwhelming and stressful. We at Grossman Law Offices tell others to go out and interview two to four attorneys before determining who should continue and handle your case. You need to learn more about each of them and their history with winning cases like yours. See what the strengths and weaknesses are in your case, and see if he can help you contact a previous client with a case similar to yours. What you need to focus on is landing a trustworthy attorney with prior experience winning cases like yours.

At Grossman Law Offices, our Arlington car accident attorneys have been involved in car accident litigation for 20 years. We’ve dealt with all manner of injuries. You should expect that we’ve probably already worked a case similar to yours and probably worked with this insurance company you’re dealing with. With each case, we take full responsibility and care in handling every facet of the claim. In each case, we offer a variety of services like:

• Totaling what your medical bills will end up costing and requesting that amount from the defendant before you have to pay your bills.
• Doing an investigation to figure out who was at fault for your accident, including motorists, pedestrians and others like manufacturers.
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• Getting all the calls made by insurance companies and their adjusters.
• Submitting all your vital paperwork to the insurance company so your focus can be on your health and recovery.
• Compiling facts and evidences like photos, witness observations, police reports and measurements that can later help aid your case.
• Making sure you get medical care, even if it’s too expensive.
• Using our reputation to make sure the insurance company gives you the best, and highest, settlement available.
• Serving as mediator in your case.
• Preparing and taking your case to trial if needed.

If you’d like to get more details about what our Arlington car accident lawyers can do to assist you, or if you want a free personal consultation, call us toll free at 1-855-326-0000. Our team is here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get your calls. We’ll be glad to explain your choices and how we can help you further.