Anytime anyone enters a highway or drives on one, there’s always a chance of being involved in an accident because cars sometimes swerve off their lanes without warning. Other causes for accidental collisions include distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and poor weather conditions.

While there are many circumstances that could result in a car accident, the consequences of such accidents remain the same: injuries to people and property damage to vehicles. Fortunately, car accidents can be financially compensated for as long as you follow your state’s laws regarding personal injury claims and present evidence proving the liability of the other party. Here are the top reasons why having legal help is essential.

Help With Gathering Evidence

If you were injured in a car accident, the evidence needed to prove your injury claim is crucial. Any good lawyer, whether they’re a Summerville car accident attorney or one from New York, will tell you that inaccurate evidence can lead to lesser compensation or even complete rejection of your claim, so finding the right help is important. If you were injured, hiring a car accident lawyer means having someone who knows how to investigate the scene and gain access to legal documents. For your legal team to build your case and win the compensation you deserve, here’s the relevant evidence you’ll need:

Medical Records

If you were injured in the accident, your lawyer will need to prove the extent of your injury. This means getting access to your medical records. Since these are confidential documents, it’s best that they be accessed through a written authorization signed by you so the hospital or doctor’s office won’t think of them as unauthorized requests for information. Medical records include details about your treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis.

Police Reports

If you were involved in an accident, your lawyer will need to establish fault for the accident. If there was a police officer present at the time of the accident, he or she will provide an official report. The police officer’s report is important because it includes information about the conditions surrounding the incident.

Also, if there was a police car at the time of your car accident, there might have been video footage available that could help establish liability in your claim or lawsuit. In cases where police officers responded quickly to the scene and took control over traffic immediately after the collision happened, this video will capture exactly what happened from start to finish.

Witness Statements

Witnesses at the scene are another type of evidence that can be crucial when building your case. While some witnesses might only have partial information about what happened, other witnesses may have enough information to prove how events played out during the aftermath of the car accident. Witnesses attest to how fast both parties were going at the time of impact, where each car was located at the time of the collision, and other information that could determine liability or in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Fire Damage Reports

If your car caught fire or has significant damage, you’ll also need a fire damage report. This report will include details about the extent of the fire and why it started in the first place. If your insurance company automatically denies claims filed for fire-related damages, having a fire damage report is necessary to appeal the decision and get reimbursed.

Help With Filing Relevant Writs and Notices

To win your claim, you need to file the right documents, to begin with. Your attorney will handle this for you, but before you can even file anything, keep in mind that your lawyer must first know where the defendant is so he or she can direct that the bailiffs serve them with a legal document. Your attorney will need to present proof of service which mandates all parties involved acknowledge they’ve received an official notice about the claim. If any of these documents are missed or returned unopened because it was sent to the wrong address, there will be no proof of service.

Help With Settlement Negotiations

Often, car accident claims are settled out of court. This is another way that having a lawyer is essential. Lawyers are trained negotiators who know what an insurance company is prepared to offer and, more importantly, what you should settle for. Car accident lawyers work hard to get the highest compensation possible so you can move on with your life and pay for your medical bills. Your lawyer will help you determine the value of your claim, which should be based on things like your economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages.

Car accidents are common. If you were involved in an accident, it’s important to hire a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf so you have the best possible chance of winning your case. Your lawyer will be able to help with all of the steps involved in filing your claim and negotiating a settlement. If you’re looking for legal help after an accident, remember that it’s essential to find a lawyer who specializes in this area of law.