Why You Need an Auto Accident Attorney

If you have recently been involved in an auto accident, you should contact an accident attorney right away. Y ou may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and any lost wages that resulted from the accident. However, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, so you should find out what your rights are right away.


Fault and Compensation
In most states, you are only entitled to compensation for an auto accident if you were not at fault for the accident. For example, if another car rear-ended you or you were hit by a driver who ran a red light, you are entitled to compensation. If you were at fault, however, you are not entitled to compensation. The laws regarding fault for accidents are sometimes complex; in addition, if you are only partially at fault for an accident, you might be entitled to partial compensation. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, you are entitled to 80 percent of the compensation you would normally receive for your injuries.

Since fault laws can be confusing, it makes sense to talk to an accident attorney about who is at fault for your accident so that you can determine whether or not you want to pursue litigation. Your attorney can also advise you as to the best course of action regarding your case in general.

Worker's Compensation
In some cases, you might be entitled to worker's compensation even if you were at fault for an auto accident. Most worker's compensation laws state that you are entitled to compensation if the injury occurred while on the job. For example, if you had an accident while driving to another office to deliver some documents, you are entitled to worker's compensation for your injuries and lost wages. You are not entitled to worker's compensation if you were commuting between your regular place of business and your residence.

 Your employer may not think you are entitled to worker's compensation and may not file a claim on your behalf; if so, you should get help from a qualified accident attorney. You should also get advice if you accepted a worker's compensation settlement. Usually, accepting these settlements means that you waive the right to sue, but if you accepted a very low settlement, your attorney may be able to get around that provision.

Statute of Limitations
Most states have a statute of limitations on auto accident cases that ranges from one year to four years. You cannot file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations expires. That's why it's important to contact an attorney immediately if you have an accident.

 

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