The primary reason why an injured person hires Horn Law after being injured in a motor vehicle accident is to make sure they receive a fair, full, and maximum settlement or award. That’s important.
But there are other, more immediate, actions we take in an accident claim in order to fully protect our injured client. These 6 items listed below are part of the early legal work we do immediately after we are hired.
These action items are not in any particular order- they are all important and we are working on all of these items at the same time.
1. Performing the Accident Investigations
As rapid response injury lawyers, we act quickly to obtain police reports and secure obtain other important evidence that establishes fault and helps us gain an upper hand in the case. Often this includes obtaining 911 calls, witness statements, and taking legal action to preserve evidence, including video recordings.
2. Handling the Property Damage Claim
After establishing liability, our law firm makes sure the insurance company for the driver at fault is following through on their obligations to take care of car repair or total loss claims. Although property damage claims are separate and apart from the injury claim, as part of our legal representation we act quickly to facilitate the resolution of property damage claim so that our client can get on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
3. Establishing the Insurance Claims
Car accident claims frequently involve multiple types of insurance. It is important that identification of all insurance coverages be made at the outset of collision cases in order that appropriate insurance representatives can be assigned.
In addition to the liability insurance coverages, I am also concerned with issues that surround the payment of medical bills, including the different kinds of health coverages that may be applicable.
4. Proper Medical Evaluations
When I take on a new injury case, one of my first priorities is to make sure my client has had the proper medical evaluations, including a complete medical diagnosis and a medical treatment/rehabilitation plan. My experience indicates that my injured clients, who are assessed quickly and are receiving very good medical care, will make a much better recovery from their injuries.
The other advantage to a proper medical evaluation is that I can begin to develop the evidence surrounding the nature and extent of the injury and forecast my client’s medical needs and the total impact of the injury.
5. Helping the Insurance Companies Set Adequate Reserves
Insurance companies have an obligation to set aside funds to resolve the injury claim. Because it is in our client’s best interest to make sure the insurance reserves are set properly, I supply the insurance company claim adjusters with information, including my expectation for medical and damages evidence.
Given our experience over 34 years, we know how to properly value injury claims. This sets the foundation for our clients to receive fair, full, and maximum settlements and awards.
6. Securing the Important Medical Evidence
The medical evidence plays such a key role in obtaining the best results in a motor vehicle accident case. While medical records and medical bills form the foundation of the medical evidence, expert opinions from doctors, therapists, and professionals establish important evidence related to the nature and extent of the injury, including the longer-range consequences of the injury.
About Attorney Doug Horn
Doug is founder and Lead Attorney of The Horn Law Firm, P.C. where he concentrates in cases involving head, neck, back, orthopedic, neurological, and other traumatic injuries that require extended medical care and rehabilitation.
Since 1992, Doug has maintained a track record of success in a wide variety of personal injury cases, including cases involving motor vehicle collisions, work accidents, and injuries caused by dangerous or hazardous conditions. Based in Independence Missouri, Doug represents injured persons in Missouri, Kansas, and across the Midwest.
Outside of his law practice, Doug frequently lectures in the area of personal injury law, giving legal education presentations for national attorney audiences.
