Important Steps Following A Port St. Lucie Car Accident

No one anticipates being in a car accident that will leave them traumatized and experiencing life-altering injuries. Not anticipating such an incident, however, does not stop it from happening. All it takes is one driver to not do the right thing and you end up on the unfortunate receiving end of said driver’s failure to obey the traffic laws and regulations. Thankfully, even in such dire situations, there is help.

Important Steps Following A Port St. Lucie Car Accident

If you or someone you love have experienced injuries resulting from a Port St. Lucie car accident, then the following next steps are for you.

Steps Following a Port St. Lucie Car Crash

1) Recognizing What You Are Dealing With

For starters, it is important to know that once an accident you or a loved one was injured in is due to the negligence of another party, then fighting for compensation is an option in moving forward. Essentially, the damages you incurred do require some accountability and recompense. Admittedly, this is not a step or measure you can take on by yourself. It is advisable to get professional help on the matter.

2) Getting the Right Kind of Help

Once you recognize what you are in fact dealing with, and that you will need professional legal help addressing the same, then it is time to get in touch with a Port St Lucie car accident attorney soonest. With an attorney by your side, you will not have to fight this battle alone. More importantly, the attorney is skilled in navigating the legal system effectively to help ensure that you are able to get what you are due. Your attorney is likely to help walk you through these next important steps following a Port St Lucie Car Accident.

3) Follow Through with Medical Care

The first step in working with your attorney is to get a medical to assess the extent of our injuries and your recovery from the same. After all, the injuries you experience may be extensive and may include things you cannot see. For example, you may be experiencing internal bleeding, may need surgeries, or may even need physical therapy.

Of course, in addition to physical issues, there is also the reality of the mental toll that such an ordeal can take on you. Trauma, stress, and anxiety are all conditions that you may have to work through over time. Through a fulsome medical care program, you can address both any physical and mental issues you may be facing, have the same documented, and recover from the same. Copies of all treatment records should be made available to your car accident lawyer who is helping you with your case.

The Importance of Contacting a Port St Lucie Auto Accident Attorney

As intimated prior, an attorney is there to help you walk through any litigation related to your car accident. Again, it is recommended that you do it as quickly as possible. It is important that you secure legal support quickly for the following reasons:

– The Statute of Limitations

Litigation resulting from car accidents is typically filed under personal injury (or even wrongful death depending on the situation). Importantly, there are state law limits that speak to the amount of time allowed for pursuing these kinds of lawsuits. Missing the deadline in filing such a claim can result in your claim being barred.

– Securing Witness Statements Early

Witness statements are a critical component of having successful litigation, and it is most helpful to secure the corporation of witnesses early and retain information from witness interviews as soon as possible. After all, eyewitnesses may move out of the area or even forget key details of the events in question.

– A Mediator Who Eases the Pressure

Once you file a personal injury claim following a Port St. Lucie car accident, there are many moving parts to manage in an effort to negotiate a successful outcome. Admittedly, managing all these moving parts is not always easy to do. For example, dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters (or their legal representation) can prove to be overwhelming without the right help. Without an attorney of your own to represent you and function as your mediator between yourself and the adjusters, for example, it is easy to get railroaded and feel pressured to accept less than you deserve by way of settlement. On the other hand, having an attorney by your side as you negotiate a settlement will help ensure that your vulnerabilities are not exploited.

More Important Steps Following a Port St Lucie Car Accident

In addition to securing legal representation, it is important to have some information on hand for your own personal knowledge. Here is some of what you need to know as you move forward with your attorney:

a) Understanding the Tactics of Insurance Adjusters

As intimated, insurance adjusters would much rather negotiate with you directly versus entering into a tough negotiation with your attorney. This is because adjusters know that once you secure the services of a Port St Lucie car accident lawyer that the settlement is likely to be higher as you are far more likely to get what you deserve. It is important to not overlook this reality, as there are no do-overs once the settlement is final.

b) Understanding the Real Reason for Most Car Accidents

Wherever you commute in Port St Lucie, a serious motor vehicle accident can happen just about anywhere and anytime. Usually, said accidents are the result of negligence on the part of one or more motorists. Some forms of negligence can be more extreme than others and can include speeding, drunk driving, aggressive, sleepy, and otherwise distracted driving. The worry, stress, physical and financial situations resulting from the accident due to the negligent actions of another driver can be absolutely debilitating and should never be underestimated.

c) The Kinds of Compensation You Are Entitled To

So far, the idea of being entitled to a settlement amount has been expressed in this article. However, we have not delved into what the settlement is likely to cover. As your lawyer helps you fight for your compensation, here is some of what your claims can include:

– Medical Bills

Starting with your medical care immediately after your accident to decipher whatever your injuries are, your medical bills following a Port St Lucie car accident can be extensive. Of course, any physical and mental (or trauma) therapy, medication, and follow-up doctor’s visits needed for your recovery will also carry costs that you will need to ensure are covered in your settlement amount. This is particularly important if you are facing a long road to recovery.

– Lost Wages

One of the likely fallouts from being injured is not being able to work and earn a living. In such an instance, you are also entitled to recoup the wages you would have lost. Of course, it is also possible that your future wages may also be affected by the debilitating fallout from your accident and those should be calculated and recouped as well.

– Honor Your Process and Outcome

As you go through the process of pursuing litigation, it is important to remember that a specific outcome is not a guarantee. So, while having a competent lawyer in your corner is helpful and makes you more likely to be victorious, there is no guarantee that you will win or that you will receive a given settlement amount. A lawyer can, however, make the process easier and victory more likely.

Additionally, your chance for victory is significantly enhanced if you have a loved one who died in a Port St Lucie car accident, are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, and you fall into one of the relationship categories:

– Domestic partner

– Surviving children

– Surviving spouse

– Financially dependent parents

Finally, it is important to know that if your attorney cannot secure a settlement, then your case will proceed to trial in court.

– Paying Your Attorney Fees

Of course, knowing that you need to hire an attorney is one thing, being able to pay for the same is quite another. Simply put, it helps to have an idea of how you will pay your attorney. Still, your attorney fees are not something you need to stress over. Here is why.

Typically, most wrongful death and personal injury attorneys in Port St Lucie work on a contingency fee basis. As such, the fees they charge are heavily dependent on the outcome of the case. Typically, if your attorney fails to secure a successful outcome, then there are no attorney fees for you to pay. However, the opposite is also true. Should your attorney secure a successful outcome and the settlement to go with it, then he or she will collect a percentage of the said settlement or verdict amount as payment for their services. This arrangement should help to set your mind at ease and help ensure that you are able to seek out legal representation sooner rather than later.

– Get Started with a Free Evaluation

Now that you are more settled in your mind about how hiring a lawyer can work in your favor following a car accident in Port St Lucie, your next step is to have the conversation. In most instances, many attorneys provide you with the opportunity to discuss the matter pertaining to your case before officially getting started. This discussion will help make clear for you the steps you need to take next to help prepare for a successful case, as well as the steps they will take on your behalf to secure a successful outcome.

There you have it, a guide to the important steps following a Port St Lucie car accident.