Highway accidents are serious collisions, as they tend to involve high speeds. Highway accidents also have the potential to lead to bigger crashes that involve many other vehicles on the road.
In some areas, the speed limit enforcement on freeways may be more relaxed than on the city’s streets, meaning that drivers can be tempted to drive faster than they normally would.
When you are hurt in a highway wreck, it’s important to explore your options for seeking compensation from negligent drivers. The Bert McDowell legal team will walk with you through the steps of litigation, acting as an ally and an advocate for your best interests.
Insurers are known to undervalue claims, but retaining an attorney will show them that you mean business. Your attorney will be there in your corner, ensuring that your claim isn’t undervalued or unnecessarily delayed.
Your initial consultation is always free, and we never get paid until you do. A meeting with an attorney from The Bert McDowell Firm can help you map out the claim process and understand the strategies available to seek the full amount of damages you have suffered.
Schedule your no-obligation case review when you call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today.
What Are the Steps for Filing an Auto Claim With a Bridgeport Highway Accident Attorney?
After getting into an auto collision, the most common way to recover a settlement for resulting damages is to file an insurance claim with the negligent party’s insurer. This process can be lengthy and time-consuming, but it offsets the cost of injury treatment and related expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and more.
A Bridgeport car accident attorney is a valuable resource when moving through the steps of settling an auto insurance claim, as they can keep the process on track and progressing efficiently. They also help you gather evidence and accurately document the damages you have suffered — and will suffer — in order to avoid leaving money on the table when a settlement is reached.
If there are any delays in settling your claim, your lawyer will oversee your end of the responsibility so you don’t have to worry about an unexpected task or step. An Bridgeport personal injury attorney has seen countless insurance claims and can use their experience, education, and knowledge to guide you through yours.
When working with an attorney, the standard procedure for filing a highway accident insurance claim is as follows:
- Review the details of your accident: The critical details of an accident will vary by situation, and when filing an auto accident claim, one of the first tasks that your attorney will carry out is exploring the specifics regarding your crash.
- Investigating all claims of negligence: It is important to remember that the scene of an accident will not be around to assess long after the initial crash, so negligence must be determined by objectively looking at the scene and available recorded data. An attorney will be able to review all claims of negligence to unpack how another party may be liable for your damages.
- Valuing the related damages: After establishing liability, the only way to understand what a claim might be worth is to record the full value of the involved damages. Your attorney will put together an estimate of what your damages, present and future, can total out to be, including all reductions in earnings and the full costs of your medical care.
- Negotiating a settlement: Even after putting a value on your incurred damages, your attorney will need to negotiate a final settlement with the negligent party’s insurer. With a Bridgeport highway accident attorney, you can put your best foot forward at the negotiation table.
- Preparing a lawsuit in the event, it becomes necessary: Not all auto accident claims will result in a lawsuit, but in cases where the involved parties cannot agree on a final settlement figure, a formal lawsuit may be necessary. Your attorney can help you prepare a valid legal complaint and then argue your case in court in front of a jury, all while attempting to settle out-of-court for a reasonable figure when possible.
Why Do I Need a Bridgeport Highway Accident Attorney to Oversee My Claim’s Progress?
In the blink of an eye, an accident on the highway can leave the victim with extreme injuries and property damage. Healing from the resulting damage after an accident includes managing important changes to your physical, financial, and even emotional health at the same time.
It can be a challenge to focus on all of the components of recovery at once. An attorney can take a portion of that burden off of you by overseeing your accident claim so that you can focus on the important task of healing.
As you know, there are a few steps to settling an insurance claim. The burdening expenses will feel like a mountain that formed on your shoulders overnight, leading to pressure and anxiety about settling your debt.
An insurer can take advantage of your anxiety as the claim process rolls out, enticing you to settle early for a low offer. Accepting an undervalued settlement will result in out-of-pocket expenses that could have been avoided with the help and reassurance of a trusted Bridgeport highway accident attorney.
As the process of your auto collision insurance claim unfolds, an attorney can offer:
- Comprehensive claim management from start to finish
- Professional resources and legal advice
- Knowledge about state laws and standard practices
- Accurate valuation of all damages
- Investigations and evidence gathering to determine the fault
- Research into the outcomes of cases similar to yours
- Completion of claims forms and other paperwork
- Assistance with finding needed medical care
- Counsel and guidance at all stages of your recovery journey
- Preparation for a lawsuit and jury trial if no settlement is reached
In short, the knowledge, experience, and resources your attorney brings to the table can make all the difference in your case. They’ll help you raise your chances of a successful claim while reducing the risk that you will have damages that are unpaid after a settlement has been signed.
What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Highway Accidents?
Highway accidents are all too common, and some of the most frequently encountered factors that cause these crashes include:
- Distracted driving: Some of the more common distracting habits that people may think of include texting or eating while driving, but even small actions like changing the radio station or having an intense discussion can distract the driver from focusing on the road.
- Not following the speed limit: The highway allows for more freedom to cruise, as there are not usually traffic signs or lights to slow a motorist down. In this environment, a driver may feel more comfortable breaking speed limit regulations.
- Aggressive driving: Being late, having a bad day, or facing another frustrating driver on the road are all common factors that can set an aggressive driver off. These motorists may recklessly weave through other drivers, speed, and even commit other dangerous actions like brake checking.
Injuries That Are Commonly Reported After a Highway Accident
An accident can result in a multitude of different injuries and will leave every victim with their own unique set of them. Accidents on the highway can often lead to more severe injuries simply because of the higher speeds and the close proximity of all drivers.
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the most common causes of severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, over a third of which (38%) were inflicted in motor vehicle collisions between 2010 and 2013.
Some of the most common serious injuries that highway accident victims face include:
If You Have Been Injured in an Unexpected Crash, a Bridgeport Highway Accident Law Firm Can Help
If you’ve been in a highway accident, retaining the support of an attorney can make recovering a settlement smoother and less stressful. A Bridgeport highway accident law firm like The Bert McDowell Firm won’t let your claim go undervalued by an insurer looking to cut corners.
Managing your claim — and possible litigation — can feel like stretching yourself thin when juggling a physical and emotional recovery. You may also be taken advantage of because of your inexperience or desire to settle your claim quickly.
Instead of fighting alone, let the resources and experience of an attorney ease your burden while helping you seek the maximum damages available.
Your initial consultation with an attorney from Bert McDowell Injury Law is completely free and has no obligation. Call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial case review.
(203) 690-1030
