How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Tampa attorney Armando Edmiston explains what you need to know
After you get hurt in a car accident, you might run into problems trying to deal with the at-fault driver and the insurance company. You’re injured and in pain. You can’t return to work. Your medical expenses are piling up. To add insult to injury, the insurance company is pressuring you to accept a lowball settlement offer. You’re starting to feel defeated and you’re just about ready to wave the white flag.
Don’t throw in the towel yet. An experienced car accident lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Armando Personal Injury Law understands the games that some insurance companies play. Attorney Armando Edmiston has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and will put in the work to get the best possible outcome in your case.
What do car accident attorneys do?
A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and be your voice for justice as you pursue fair compensation for your damages. In particular, an experienced car accident attorney can:
- Investigate your crash
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Obtain and analyze the official police accident report
- Track down and interview eyewitnesses
- Consult with accident-reconstruction experts
- Help you get appropriate medical treatment
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- File a lawsuit, if necessary
- Represent you in court, if necessary
Likewise, a car accident lawyer should be able to calculate the impact your crash has had on your life and determine how much you deserve to receive in a payout. In general, your car accident claim should include compensation for:
- Your past and future medical expenses
- Your lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Replacement services
- Pain and suffering/punitive damages
When is it too late to get a lawyer?
Normally, the deadline to file a lawsuit in Florida is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, there generally isn’t much an attorney can do to help. Also, after you accept a settlement from the insurance company, it’s not generally possible to go back and negotiate for more – your case is settled, and that’s it. Never take the insurance company’s money without talking to an attorney first. The sooner you get legal representation, the better.
Should I get a lawyer for an accident that wasn’t my fault?
In a word, yes. Just because you know the accident wasn’t your fault doesn’t mean the other driver’s insurance company will see it that way. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you can be barred from recovering, and even if you are less than 50 percent, your compensation can still be reduced. Not to mention, even if fault isn’t disputed, the insurance company may still downplay the extent of your injuries and try to lowball your claim. An attorney can fight for the full amount of compensation you need.
Should I get a lawyer for a minor accident?
If you have any injuries at all, it’s in your interest to at least talk to an attorney about your legal options. We’ve seen many seemingly minor accidents that turned out to be much more costly than the injured person originally thought. There’s no harm in getting a free consultation to learn about your rights.
Get results with a Tampa car accident attorney in your corner
Armando Edmiston is a caring and compassionate attorney who will put in the extra effort to get you the highest amount of compensation possible for your specific case. That’s because our clients are family and we tackle your problems like they’re our problems. Best of all, you don’t have to pay us anything unless we win. That’s because we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.