When you have been involved in a New Hampshire car accident, there is a lot that happens at once. You must seek medical treatment and try to recover from your injuries. You might miss work while still trying to pay your household bills and feed your family. You must try to get your vehicle repaired or purchase a new one. You must negotiate with the insurance company to seek compensation for your injuries or file a lawsuit if negotiations fail. To manage all of that while also dealing with the mental and emotional stress of the car accident can be exhausting and overwhelming. You may forget appointments or details or lose track of paperwork. Car accident attorneys are educated and experienced in managing cases like yours. While you are not required to hire an attorney, there are several benefits they offer that can maximize your compensation after being in a car accident. At Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC, a car accident attorney is prepared to speak with you during a consultation, learn about your case, and discuss how we may be able to represent you and help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call (603) 707-4800 to schedule your appointment today.
Understanding Your Damages
Most people are not involved in car accidents frequently enough to understand the full extent of their potential damages. They may know they are entitled to their medical expenses and property damage to their vehicle, but they may be unaware of their right to lose wages, pain and suffering, and future losses. Yet, they may be entitled to all of these damages. Car accident attorneys are fully aware of all the potential damages car accident victims may be eligible to claim, and will ensure that their clients ask for that compensation.
Additionally, an attorney can assist in quantifying those damages accurately. People often underestimate their damages, or will settle for less than they deserve simply to get the claim resolved so they can move on. A car accident attorney can ensure that their client does not underestimate their damages and does not take a settlement that is less than they deserve.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies prioritize minimizing payouts. They will dispute any part of a claim they can in an attempt to reduce the settlement they eventually offer. They will search for any shred of evidence that indicates an injury was not caused by the accident or that the damage to the victim’s vehicle was there prior to the accident. They may use tactics that are not entirely ethical to attempt to manipulate or intimidate the victim into taking a lower settlement, including telling the victim they do not need a lawyer, using a recorded statement against them, or misleading the client about the policy’s limits.
Car accident attorneys act as their clients’ advocates, negotiating on their behalf to secure a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of their losses. Attorneys can also advise their clients when the insurance company attempts to use one of those tactics and assist their clients in standing up for themselves.
Building a Strong Case
Whether it is to negotiate with the insurance company or to file a lawsuit in court, car accident victims need a strong case. Compelling cases are built on solid evidence. Car accident attorneys can assist their clients in building a strong case by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, finding and consulting with experts, and other actions.
A compelling case will demonstrate fault and justify the victim’s claim for compensation. An attorney can look at all of the evidence, witness statements, and other facts of the case and guide their client toward the appropriate actions for their case, including advising them to accept a settlement, keep fighting for a larger one, or file a lawsuit.
Protecting Your Rights
Car accident attorneys understand the legal complexities that come with a car accident and can protect your rights throughout the process. They understand factors such as the statute of limitations, which is three years from the date of the accident per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4(I), and dealing with insurance companies’ claims adjustors.
Additionally, a car accident attorney can assist their client in avoiding common mistakes that could weaken their claim. For example, under N.H. Rev. Stat. §507:7-D, car accident victims can still recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident, as long as their fault is not more than that of the other party. However, their damages will be reduced by the amount of fault assigned to them. Car accident attorneys can help their clients avoid saying something that admits fault and collect evidence that may help prove that their client was not at fault or reduce the amount of fault assigned to them. This can be important to successfully negotiating a fair settlement, though it is important to note that what is considered fair can vary. There is no typical car accident settlement.
Maximizing Your Claim
Car accident attorneys can assist their clients in getting more compensation after their accident by thoroughly exploring and investigating the accident. They will look for all possible damages and all potentially liable parties. For example, if you were hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, N.H. Rev. Stat §507-F:5(d) may apply. This law, also referred to as the dram shop law, holds businesses licensed to serve alcoholic beverages and their employees liable for damages resulting from reckless service of alcoholic beverages.
This means if the employee should have known that the driver was intoxicated as a result of the employee serving them and intended to operate a motor vehicle, but failed to stop serving them or failed to stop them from operating the vehicle, the employee and/or the business may be liable as well as the intoxicated driver. An experienced car accident attorney at Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC may be able to assist you in determining if there may be additional liable parties in your accident.
Handling Legal Procedures
Unfortunately, car accidents come with a lot of legal procedures. There is a lot of paperwork, court filings, and legal proceedings that must be handled accurately and in a timely manner. This can be time-consuming and overwhelming, particularly when the car accident victim is also trying to recover from their injuries, get their vehicle repaired, and stay on top of their household bills.
Car accident attorneys can step in and handle all of those legal procedures so the accident victim can focus on their recovery. Additionally, attorneys are more familiar with the appropriate procedures and deadline requirements, so they can ensure that things are completed the correct way and on time or even earlier than necessary. This can give accident victims peace of mind that everything is under control while they take care of their health.
Filing a Lawsuit If Necessary
While a settlement is often seen as the best possible outcome in car accident cases, it does not always work out. Whether the insurance company refuses to settle at all or insists on offering less than the victim deserves, sometimes settlement negotiations fail. When that happens, a lawsuit is the next step toward getting that compensation. Car accident attorneys can file the lawsuit on their client’s behalf.
An attorney has the experience to handle the legal proceedings, while also being able to inform their client of what to expect during the process. They will also advocate for their client’s best interests, fighting tirelessly to protect their client’s rights and attempt to get the maximum compensation possible.
Should You Hire a New Hampshire Car Accident Attorney?
New Hampshire law does not require car accident victims to hire a car accident attorney in order to seek compensation after an accident. However, car accident attorneys are more experienced and skilled at navigating the process, identifying all potential damages, and taking a firm stance against insurance companies who may attempt to manipulate and intimidate you. They also have a deeper understanding of the laws relating to your accident, including comparative fault and how the statute of limitations applies. If you would like to speak with one of our experienced New Hampshire accident attorneys, call Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC at (603) 707-4800 to schedule your consultation. We may review your case and discuss your legal rights and options.
