World

How to Avoid a Financial Fiasco After a Car Crash

Published

3 years ago

June 22, 2021

A car crash can turn your world upside down in many ways. Hopefully, you’re safe, and everyone involved is okay, but there’s so much that could go wrong after a crash. Many problems involve money. The following guideline will help prevent you from falling off a financial cliff after this event.

Getting to Work Carless

If you get in an accident and can still work, but your car is out of commission, you’re going to have to figure out how to get to work. The moment you start letting this interfere with work is the moment you’ll fall off that financial cliff, and you don’t want that. You may have to deal with a lot of expenses after an accident. This is especially true if you aren’t fully covered, which can happen. Many folks don’t have full coverage and get the short end of the stick when they get into trouble. Public transportation will be more affordable than ride-hailing services, or you can talk to a coworker to see if someone is willing to give you a ride in exchange for gas or something like that.

Second Streams of Income

Consider creating another stream of income. If you can’t work because of an injury or another reason that makes it hard to work, you need an alternative solution. Some folks mistakenly think they don’t have to worry about money because the insurance will cover their expenses. Many people wonder how long does an auto insurance claim take, and the answer is it could take a long time. It could take months, maybe even years for you to see that money. Bills won’t stop coming in. They won’t wait for you to get the money owed to you. Consider doing things like renting out your backhouse or a room in your home. You could even rent out your garage. There are many ways to make some cash.

Working With a Lawyer

You’ll want to consider working with a lawyer to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible. A lawyer who focuses on car accidents and insurance claims is going to make things easier for you. They’ll deal with the paperwork, and the loops that insurance companies may put you through that make it seem like they don’t want to give you anything. A lawyer can ensure you aren’t tricked and get your money as soon as possible. Granted, it probably won’t be overnight, but you’ll probably wait less time than if you do this on your own. Make sure you interview a few lawyers and read several reviews before you decide who to work with.

Sticking to Doctor’s Recommendations

One of the worst things you could do is avoid doing what your doctor tells you. Getting everything owed to you depends greatly on your ability to listen to everything your doctor says. If you make a mistake, insurance companies may try to deny your claim. You might be surprised by what these people are willing to do so that they don’t have to pay you. In essence, they might argue that it’s your fault that you’re dealing with health care issues. If you make a mistake with your health, you could also hurt yourself.

Preparing for the Worst

Savings are vital right now, so make sure you start working on that. You don’t know how long things will take, and you don’t know what kind of emergencies might spring up on you at this time. What’s worse is that you could end up getting a lot less by the time everything is said and done. If that’s the case, you’ll need more cash than you anticipated. It’s time to budget and work on building a big savings fund to help you out should things get a little challenging later on.

These are some things you should keep in mind after a car crash. If you can stay financially afloat, then you’ll feel a lot better about your situation.

World

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Michelle Langton

Are you dealing with injuries, loss of income, and hefty medical bills because of an accident that was not your fault? If yes, you need the services of an excellent personal injury lawyer. But how do you determine if a lawyer is a perfect match for your personal injury case when you have so many options? This step-by-step guide aims to teach you the critical steps to hiring the best personal injury lawyer in your state.

1. Know Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Typically, you must hire the right personal injury lawyer if you are pursuing a lawsuit for personal injury. As defined on Forbes, a personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that an injured person takes against a person or company responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries.

For instance, you get into a car crash or slip and fall incident in the workplace because of someone else’s fault. You can sue the party responsible for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and mental anguish.

But there are instances you may not need a personal injury attorney despite being in an accident. For example, a minor fender bender where no one sustained injuries or had their property damaged is easy to resolve without involving lawyers. So, after an accident, evaluate the damages incurred. If they are severe, search for a personal injury attorney.

2. Do Extensive Research

Where do I begin my search? Referrals are valuable because you can ask specific questions regarding the lawyer’s communication style, availability, litigation experience, and fee structure. So, ask family and friends to recommend someone they have worked with. Search for attorneys in your area online if you need referrals. You can type a simple search query like ‘personal injury attorney near me’ on Google. Alternatively, look for a lawyer through online directories.

3. Schedule Free Consultations

You want to know what a personal injury lawyer will do for you. Therefore, schedule a free consultation meeting and ask questions like:

What will you prioritize in my case?

The right attorney will focus on getting justice and fair compensation to ensure your stress-free recovery. Communication should also be a top priority. The lawyer should communicate with you using simple terms to help you understand your legal rights. More importantly, they should update you about the case progress on time.

Do you have experience handling cases like mine?

As lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo law firm mention, experienced personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. Even more interesting, they will handle negotiations on your behalf to safeguard your rights. So, make sure your lawyer has experience in personal injury law.

It would be better if they had specialized experience handling cases like yours. For example, if you are pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you will want a personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with trucking accident claims.

What is the value of my personal injury claim?

After evaluating your case, a skilled attorney should tell you the worth of your personal injury claim. What you should be cautious of are unrealistic estimates and guarantees. There are no assurances in personal injury claims. If a lawyer promises a higher settlement that sounds too good to be true, do not fall for it because they are lying.

How much are your legal fees?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. Based on Cornell Law School, a contingent fee structure allows lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the total settlement value a client wins. As a result, you do not pay your legal representative any upfront fee.

4. Check Testimonials

Aside from experience, work with a trustworthy and reputable attorney. You can quickly determine a lawyer has an outstanding reputation by reading testimonials from past clients.

Find out if the clients feel happy about the outcomes of their case. How about the style of communication? Does the lawyer explain legal terms in simple language?

A reputable lawyer will receive positive feedback from clients and respect from peers. Also, check with your local bar association to ensure your preferred lawyer doesn’t have disciplinary actions against them.

5. Select Your Lawyer

At this point, comfort matters a lot. Do not choose a lawyer you feel uncomfortable discussing your legal issues with. Also, ensure they have the experience and resources to win your personal injury claim. Equally important, they should have an excellent reputation.

Conclusion

When you are a victim of an accident that someone else caused out of negligence, you need to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. There is only one way to achieve these goals. You must work with the best lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. True, choosing the right one can be challenging. But you can make an informed decision if you follow this step-by-step guide to hiring the right personal injury lawyer.