Car Accident FAQs

On average, there are more than 6 million car accidents in the United States each year, and every year more than 3 million people are injured in an auto accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, you may have questions about what rights you have, and if you can recover damages. Review the following frequently asked questions about car accident lawsuits to learn more about your rights.

What legal rights do I have after a car accident?

In most states, if you've been injured in an automobile accident you may be eligible to file a claim against the driver that caused the accident for negligence. This claim would attempt to recover compensation for your damages.

How quickly should I hire an attorney after an accident?

Keep in mind that every state has a statute of limitations for filing lawsuits. To be sure your claim is filed before this deadline, you should consult an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. An attorney will also make sure evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed, and other steps are taken to protect your legal rights to file a claim.

How do I know if I have a valid claim and what damages am I entitled to?

If your suffer a personal injury or a loved one suffers a wrongful death as a direct result of a car accident, and the accident was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be able to file a claim for damages. If the legal claim is successful you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for medical expenses you've already incurred, future medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other compensation as allowed by the laws of your state.

How long does a car accident lawsuit take?

It typically takes many months before a resolution to your case will be reached. However, a case may settle shortly after it is filed, or maybe even before. Other factors that may have an impact on the length of your case are the seriousness of the injuries, court dockets, evidence collection, accident reconstruction, etc.

Can I handle negotiations with the insurance company myself?

It's normally inadvisable to try to resolve an accident case that involves serious injury or death yourself. It's important to know that car insurance companies hire teams of attorneys that seek to avoid the insurance company from paying out claims, or at the very least, minimize the amount of money an insurance company has to pay to you. It's important that you have all your rights protected to ensure you receive all the compensation due to you. By hiring a qualified personal injury attorney, you and your family can concentrate on healing, rather than having to deal with the insurance company.