Once you contact an accident attorney in San Antonio, TX, there are several things that will happen as you attempt to recover compensation for your damages. Your attorney will generally talk you through things that may happen once you start pursuing compensation. Some of the things that you may face are discussed below.
7 Things That May Happen When You Call an Accident Attorney in San Antonio
1. You'll Arrange a Free Consultation
When you get in touch with an attorney, you'll generally have an initial consultation to see if this lawyer is the right fit for your case. Most accident attorneys charge a contingency fee, meaning you won't pay until you win a settlement. Because of this, the consultation will generally be free.
Your consultation may take place over the phone or in person, and it will usually be with an attorney who understands the area of the law you're dealing with. For example, you may be speaking to an attorney who specializes in motor accident cases. Click here to find out more about what a motor accident attorney can do for you and how you can get in contact with one.
2. You'll Learn Your Rights
You have certain rights after a car accident, and your attorney will help you understand them once you start working together. The attorney will generally inform you on how you can protect yourself during the case, and they'll tell you about the different laws that apply to your situation.
3. You'll Learn Your Legal Options
If a lawyer takes on your case, then you likely have a good chance of recovering compensation. As attorneys working on a contingency fee basis don't get paid unless you win, it's unlikely somebody will take on your case if it's too weak for you to recover damages.
Your attorney will talk you through your legal options regarding how you can recover compensation in your situation. Your options will be different depending on how many people were in the accident, whether or not the liable driver has insurance, and whether or not the accident was a hit-and-run.
4. You'll Start Building a Case
It's your attorney's job to build you a case they believe will help you recover all the damages you're entitled to after the accident. You should tell your attorney exactly what happened from your point of view and give them any evidence you've gathered. For example, if you have any dashcam footage or if you took photographs or videos at the accident scene, then you should provide your attorney with all of this evidence.
You should also keep your attorney updated on your recovery if you've sustained any injuries. Your attorney will generally use various types of evidence to start building a case showing you were not liable for the accident.
5. You'll Calculate Your Damages
Your attorney will likely help you determine what kind of damages you may be entitled to in your case. They may advise that you attempt to recover some of the following in economic damages:
- Medical treatment
- Property damages
- Lost income
Your attorney may also discuss non-economic damages with you, meaning compensation intended to cover things that have no exact monetary value. Common things you may recover non-economic damages for include:
- Mental anguish
- Lost quality of life
- Ongoing physical pain
6. You'll Begin Negotiations
Your attorney will inform the liable party's insurance company of how much they believe you're entitled to in damages. They may do this in the form of a demand letter. The insurance company may also have offered you a settlement already, and your attorney will advise you on whether or not you should accept it.
It may take quite some time to negotiate a settlement that covers all of your damages, and your attorney will typically handle these negotiations for you. It's best to let your attorney handle it, as they have the necessary experience to negotiate effectively and offer advice on what offers you should and should not accept.
7. You'll Settle or Go to Court
The majority of cases settle without trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to settle, then your attorney may advise you to go to court. In court, you may be awarded the sum your attorney has been trying to recover for you. However, sometimes your case won't be strong enough to stand up at trial, so in these cases, you may be advised to accept a lower sum to avoid the courtroom.
Once you call an accident attorney, you'll have an initial consultation, and the lawyer may decide whether or not they wish to take on your case. If the attorney decides to work with you, then they'll start building you a solid case, help you calculate damages, negotiate a settlement, and do all they can to help you win.
