When someone comes to see a Memphis TN car accident injury lawyers, there are a few different questions we always have to ask. These help determine whether you have a case and how much that case might be worth.
If you boil all these details down, they fall under 3 key factors we consider:
- Whose Fault Was the Accident?
If the accident is entirely your fault, your insurance should cover the damages. But sometimes both drivers share responsibility. For example, what if you both back into each other in a crowded parking lot, or both run a stop sign?
When 2 or more people share the fault, the insurance companies determine the percentage of fault for each party. As a car accident attorney, I help with that process so you don’t pay more than your fair share.
Of course, some accidents aren’t your fault at all. In those cases, the other driver and their insurance should pay for the damages. A good car accident attorney works to make sure that happens.
- What Injuries Did You Sustain?
Car accident lawyers work with a variety of cases. Sometimes the injuries require long-term recovery, and sometimes they don’t. Either way, you may need help getting compensation.
The level of injury you sustain will sometimes affect how long your case takes, because you need to be able to total up your medical costs. At the same time, the wait may lead to a higher compensation, so you don’t want to rush the process.
- What Other Evidence Do We Have to Bolster Your Case?
Do you have a police report? Photos? Witnesses? Car accident attorneys don’t always need a plethora of evidence to make your case, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
I always recommend people prepare beforehand for what they should do after an accident. Some people think you only need to exchange information with the other driver. But your case will be much stronger if you have evidence to back you up.
Assuming you’re physically able:
- Always get a police report
- Take photos of the accident scene
- Get the information of any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Seek medical attention
That last item is important. Sometimes accident injuries don’t show up until a day or two after the crash. Whiplash notoriously takes time to set in, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you feel pain after the fact. See a doctor if that happens.
None of these factors should prevent you from contacting a car accident injury lawyer. If you’ve been in a crash, an attorney can investigate whether you have a case at no charge to you. So it’s usually best to speak with them about your situation and see how these factors might come into play.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Darrell Castle and Associates, PLLC, a Memphis-based bankruptcy and personal injury lawyer dedicated to helping people in the Mid-South get through hard times when they happen.