Car Accident Lawyer

An unfortunate reality for many people is that they will be part of a car accident at some point, even if the collision isn’t entirely their fault. The injuries from vehicle collisions can produce a chain of life-changing events. Whether your car crash injuries require a long recovery period with rehabilitation or they cause you to lose wages and experience financial difficulty, you’ll need a car accident lawyer to advocate for your rights. 

If you or a family member sustains injuries from a car crash, our Steinger, Greene & Feiner auto accident attorneys are here to help. We represent all types of car accident cases. With the right vehicle collision attorney at your side, you can focus on healing and recovering while your lawyer uses their years of experience and legal knowledge to help you navigate your personal injury claim.

During your pursuit of compensation for damages, our team of car accident lawyers will help you understand your rights and legal options. We’re passionate about providing comprehensive legal services to each client, so our team will work hard to advocate for you inside and outside of the courtroom.

When Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

Car accidents occur every day for multiple reasons. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that hundreds of thousands of people sustain injuries from vehicular collisions each year. That’s why the chances of being in at least one car accident in your lifetime are high. 

Despite auto collisions having many causes, the main factor is human error, which can occur in several ways: 

• Driving While Tired: Fatigue and sleepiness can significantly impair one’s ability to drive safely, gauge road conditions, and respond quickly when necessary. 
• Driving With Distractions: Drivers should always focus their entire attention on the road. Still, many people choose to take their hands off the wheel, operate radios, use cell phones, have conversations, and pay too much attention to scenery while driving, leading to distraction. 
• Driving Under the Influence: Even if a person doesn’t feel intoxicated after drinking, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08%. Intoxication can affect perception, coordination, judgment, and vision. 
• Reckless Driving: Speeding and driving aggressively can put drivers and others in jeopardy because they can affect a driver’s ability to brake accordingly. They also increase the likelihood of a driver ignoring road rules. 
• Driving in Bad Weather: Drivers should take precautions when driving in wet, snowy, icy, or foggy conditions due to slick roads and reduced visibility. Unfortunately, some people ignore weather conditions and fail to drive slowly, use their headlights appropriately, and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

These situations and many others can benefit from a car crash lawyer’s guidance and legal knowledge. Whether you sustain injuries or experience property damage due to someone else’s negligence on the road, you should seek legal representation immediately. 

Navigating the legal process following a car wreck can be overwhelming, even if your losses and damages don’t seem to be extensive. Still, the car wreck attorneys from Steinger, Greene & Feiner will work diligently on your personal injury case and pursue a fair settlement so you can focus on getting better. 

Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Sometimes people think they can handle a personal injury case for an auto collision with legal guidance and advocacy from a skilled car accident lawyer. A common assumption that leads to this belief is that car insurance companies will pay for damages, injuries, and other losses without issue. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 

Auto insurance companies in “no-fault states” will compensate injured parties regardless of who is responsible for the crash. On the other hand, insurance companies in at-fault states will determine who is liable for the accident and at what percentage they deem them responsible. Any compensation they provide will be according to that percentage, so the liability isn’t always straightforward. 

Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation for damages in either case. The legal professionals from Steinger, Greene & Feiner will carefully evaluate your personal injury claim and investigate the case to uncover evidence to determine liability. Our personal injury lawyers have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies, even in no-fault states. 

We have an outstanding track record for fair settlement negotiations. Our law firm has access to a vast network of resources, such as accident reconstruction and medical experts, which help us fight for our clients’ rights when pursuing compensation on their behalf. 

What to Look for in a Car Accident Injury Lawyer

Despite there being many automobile accident attorneys in the country, it’s important to choose the right lawyer to represent your case. It’s always best to work with a car accident lawyer knowledgeable about your state’s car accident laws and other regulations that may be relevant to your claim. They should be comfortable using that knowledge and their years of experience representing clients in car accident cases to assist you.

A qualified lawyer will know how to dive deep into legal research and explore the outcomes of past cases to create legal strategies for you. You should expect the attorney on your case to thoroughly investigate your accident damages and document everything, leaving no stone unturned. 

Reputable car accident lawyers also have a solid reputation for providing personalized services and working closely with them, which they can back up with positive client testimonials. To fully understand your case and develop legal strategies, your car accident injury lawyer must be willing to communicate, show transparency, and engage with you.

Credentials are also important. Attorneys should have extensive experience in their areas of practice—in this case, personal injury law—and a proven track record of case results.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

A damaging auto collision can occur within a blink of an eye. Still, knowing what to do immediately after a wreck is crucial for you and other parties to ensure everyone has the necessary help. Taking the appropriate steps can also aid in your car accident claim if the collision occurs due to somebody else’s negligence. 

If you are in an auto accident, follow these steps immediately:

• Assess Your Condition: Before you do anything, you should determine if you have a noticeable injury. Sometimes injuries don’t present symptoms right away, yet you should quickly assess your health and seek immediate medical attention for treatment. 
• Call 911: If you or another person sustains injuries or dies from the accident, call 911 immediately or have someone else do it if you’re unable to do so. You’ll need to report the crash and initiate a police report. 
• Wait for Help: Do not leave the scene of the accident; wait until first responders arrive to administer help. If dangers are present, such as a fire or moving vehicles, you may move to a safe location near the accident scene. 
• Document Everything: If possible, take as many photographs as possible of your injuries, injured passengers, your vehicle, and the surrounding collision site. Consider collecting the names and contact information of witnesses to the crash. 
• Notify Your Insurance Company: After receiving medical attention, contact your insurance agency to alert them of the accident.
• Call a Vehicle Collision Attorney: An auto accident attorney can provide legal advice and evaluate your case to determine if you have a claim. 

Besides seeking medical help for yourself and your car passengers who may have injuries, securing documentation is the most important thing you should do after an accident. If someone else causes the crash, you need documentation to help establish liability and provide evidence for your claim. 

Videos and photos of the collision and your injuries are essential. You should also keep excellent records of your damages due to the injuries you sustain from another person’s negligence, such as police reports, lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses. 

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to attempt a settlement directly with an opposing party, even if they don’t have legal representation. It’s best to contact a reputable car accident lawyer before speaking with an insurance agency to ensure you have legal representation that can protect your rights. Your car accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to recover fair compensation for your damages. 

Understanding Car Accident Laws in Your State

Each state has its own laws regarding car accident claims and compensation. No-fault states require all drivers to meet the minimum requirements for auto insurance, which usually means liability coverage for specific amounts. If you sustain car accident injuries in a no-fault state, your first path to compensation for your damages would be to your auto insurance company. 

Most insurance agencies are willing to pay up to a certain amount for auto collision injuries regardless of whether their policyholder or the other party is responsible for the damage. Yet, things work differently in at-fault states because the insurance agencies of both drivers will decide who is at fault for the collision. In these states, both parties can have some liability but at different percentages. 

Take Florida, for example. Since it’s a no-fault state, you would seek compensation from your car insurance company for any medical expenses you incur due to a car crash. Unfortunately, your medical bills and losses could be substantially more than the coverage limits for personal injury protection. 

You also cannot use personal injury protection coverage for noneconomic losses like pain and suffering. To pursue fair compensation for all of your damages, you would need to file a personal injury lawsuit, which is why car accident lawyers are necessary in no-fault and at-fault states. An attorney will help you recover damages and ensure that insurance agencies don’t misrepresent your amount of liability to benefit themselves. 

How Compensation Is Calculated in Car Accident Cases

Due to the complexities of the calculation, it is impossible to know upfront how much compensation anybody would recover from a car accident claim. Many factors go into determining how much a person could recover for their damages including:

• The extent of your injuries
• Medical bills and future medical costs for care or rehabilitation due to your injury
• Current and future lost income
• Disfigurations, impairments, and disabilities that stem from the accident
• Death
• The need for physical therapy
• Pain and suffering or mental and emotional anguish coming from the crash

The skills of your car accident lawyer also contribute to compensation calculations. Lawyers who are well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies and other entities on behalf of their clients may help increase compensation amounts. 

For instance, we at Steinger, Greene & Feiner have a deep understanding of the financial, physical, emotional, and financial stress that a car accident can cause people and their families. We have used that compassion as well as our legal knowledge and experience to help past clients recover more than $2 billion in damages throughout the years. 

Our case results include a client who recovered $1.5 million after a car illegally veered into oncoming traffic. We also helped a client in a semi-truck accident recover $800,000 in damages from a rear-end collision with an 18-wheeler. 

The Process of Working with a Car Accident Lawyer

Though every case is different, the process of filing a car accident claim with a personal injury lawyer is generally the same. Every case starts with a consultation to learn about the details of the accident and the damages you have from it. After the car accident lawyer chooses to represent you and files your claim, they’ll carefully investigate the accident. 

It’s common for lawyers to work with accident reconstructionists, police officers, and investigators to collect and analyze evidence. They’ll do everything, from taking witness statements to reviewing surveillance footage. The evidence they gather will prove negligence and the fact that you have economic and noneconomic damages due to another person’s negligence.

The attorney will use the evidence they collect to negotiate a fair compensation settlement with the insurance company. If no one can agree on a settlement, the lawyer will represent you at trial. 

Common Challenges in Car Accident Claims

Unfortunately, car accident claims don’t always go smoothly. Common challenges include:

• Uncooperative Insurance Companies: To avoid paying fair compensation, some agencies will create legal roadblocks.
• Difficulties Establishing Fault and Damages: If a case doesn’t have enough evidence or documentation, it can be difficult to prove liability or losses. 
• Long-Term Injury Assessment: Serious injuries can cause long-term damages, which can impact compensation and delay the settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some people find working with an auto attorney for the first time daunting. For more clarity, consider the following answers to common questions about car accident claims and vehicle collision attorneys. 

When Should I Hire a Car Wreck Attorney?

It’s always best to hire an auto accident attorney as soon as possible if you are in a collision. Your personal injury lawyers will work on your claim and help you navigate the legal process to make it as stress-free as possible. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Case?

In most cases, claimants in car accident claims have about two years from the day they sustain their injuries to file a case. That’s why immediately contacting a car crash lawyer following an auto collision is necessary; you don’t want to miss crucial deadlines. 

What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Laws regarding car accident liabilities vary by state. Some states will apply a specific level of liability to individuals who are partially responsible for auto collisions, which can influence the amount of compensation they could receive. 

Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

It’s not unusual for complicated claims to take several months before all parties agree to a settlement. The timeline depends on several factors including the insurance company’s willingness to settle with fair compensation, the type and severity of your injuries, and your overall losses. 

What Should I Do If the Other Driver’s Car Insurance Company Calls Me After a Car Accident?

If a car insurance agent from the negligent party contacts you about the accident or a possible settlement, it’s best not to give them any information or details. Since insurance adjusters operate according to the best interests of their agency, you should seek legal advice before providing them with statements or details to protect your interests and rights. 

Our Auto Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Your Rights

The aftermath of a car accident can quickly turn a person’s life upside down. If you have injuries from an auto wreck due to another person’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced car accident lawyer from Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Our personal injury lawyers will go above and beyond to protect your rights and provide rigorous legal representation inside and out of the courtroom. We understand that dealing with injuries and other consequences from an unfortunate car accident can be overwhelming. Our legal professionals will do what’s best to help you during such a trying time. We have 24/7 availability and multiple convenient locations—call (813) 669-4742 to request a consultation with one of our courteous Steinger Greene & Feiner attorneys.