If you’ve been injured in a car accident that occurred due to someone else’s negligence, you’re not only hurt, but there’s a pretty good chance you’re also angry. You’re angry at the person who upended your life and caused your suffering. You’re also angry because you might not know where to turn next. How will you go about obtaining the money needed to pay for your medical bills, or compensate you for the time you’ve had to miss from work?

Hiring an experienced attorney will be your best chance of doing just that. At Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh, we have a team of skilled, passionate attorneys who have a long track record of winning these kinds of cases. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you get the money you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery without having to worry about monetary issues.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Even though law enforcement agencies and governmental authorities are constantly trying to make the roads safer, accidents still occur on a regular basis. There are a lot of reasons they occur. Someone may have tried to avoid a piece of debris in the road, or decided to drive while drunk.

Whatever the reason behind your accident, there are several steps you need to take. Here are a few to keep in mind.

    • The most important thing to do – if you haven’t already – is to get medical attention. You have to do so as soon as possible in order for your injuries to be documented. According to Florida law, your insurance company will pay 80% of your reasonable medical expenses – but only if you receive medical care within two weeks of the accident.
  • Obtain the police report as soon as you can. This report will provide critically important details regarding your accident, such as the time, date and location, as well as road conditions and the identities of any witnesses.
  • Speak with an attorney as soon as possible as well. You’re going to need evidence that the accident wasn’t your fault in order to obtain compensation. Your attorney can try to get footage from nearby surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident. He or she can also talk to witnesses, negotiate with the negligent driver’s insurance company, and much more.

Is Hiring an Attorney Worth it?

Of course, we’re going to say “yes” because we’re a law firm. However, it’s a fact that if you want the best possible chance of getting the money you deserve, you’re going to need the help of a seasoned legal representative.

We’ve seen many instances of accident victims who tried to go it alone and act as their own lawyer – it never goes well. Self-represented people have no idea how hard it is to go up against an insurance company. Insurers have incredibly smart adjusters who know how to manipulate accident victims, tricking them into accepting blame for a wreck that clearly wasn’t their fault.

Attorneys know how to deal with those tricks – and defeat them. Your attorney will also shield you from insurance company harassment so you can focus on getting better. They will also have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, uncovering the evidence needed to prove your case.

Do I Need an Attorney if the Accident Wasn’t My Fault?

Without a doubt. Again, you’re going to need strong proof that you’re not to blame for the wreck. Your best chance of gathering that proof – and obtaining full and fair compensation – will be to have legal help.

There are a lot of nuances involved in a car accident case. Attorneys know how to deal with them. More than likely, the insurance company of the negligent driver will make things incredibly difficult. Your own insurer might not want to pay what you have coming. An attorney will know how to convince the insurance companies to do what’s right.

But if they still don’t want to cooperate, then an attorney will be more than ready to take them to court. The vast majority of cases don’t see the inside of a courtroom, because insurers ultimately make fair settlement offers. One of the reasons why Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh is so successful is that insurers know we have what it takes to beat them if they choose to pursue a trial.

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney that Specializes in Car Accidents?

Not only do you need an attorney, you need the right one. Would you have an air conditioner technician work on your car’s engine? Of course not. The AC tech might be handy with tools, but that doesn’t make him qualified to fix your vehicle.

The same principle applies to attorneys. You don’t want to trust your case to someone who primarily practices estate law, or who specializes in family law. They might be excellent legal representatives, but car accident cases are completely different.

You also want a car accident attorney who delivers results. Even if you have a complicated medical condition due to the accident, we’ll still work to get exactly what you deserve. We accept – and win – extremely tough cases on a regular basis.

How Long Do I Have to Hire an Attorney After the Accident?

You only have a certain amount of time in order to file a lawsuit stemming from a car accident. While you’re not bound by law to have legal representation, again, it will be your only realistic chance of obtaining fair compensation.

According to Florida law, people have four years from the date of the accident to take legal action if that accident resulted in an injury. If the accident resulted in a death, the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date the victim passed away.

Contact KMW Legal ASAP After You’re Involved in a Car Accident

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh if you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. Schedule a free case review by calling or using our online form.