What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do? | Kisling, Nestico & Redick
Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLC Hurt in a Car? Call KNR.
800-487-8669
800-487-8669
KNR 20th Anniversary logo
From getting answers to lessening your anxiety, and ensuring you get the full compensation you are entitled to; an experienced auto accident attorney helps in many ways.
Written by
 
KNR Legal
Date posted
 
November 6, 2025
Share
 

When car accidents happen, many injury victims understandably want everything resolved as quickly as possible. Some worry that involving a lawyer will drag the process out or make things more complicated. Others assume the insurance company will “do the right thing,” or that the claim seems simple enough to handle alone. Unfortunately, insurance companies count on this hesitation. Without legal guidance, many victims unknowingly accept settlements far below what their claim is truly worth.

Working with an experienced car accident lawyer is the most effective way to protect your rights, preserve crucial evidence, and secure full compensation for your injuries, property damage, and long-term losses. Car accident attorneys provide legal guidance, gather evidence to establish liability, negotiate aggressively with insurers, and—when needed—represent victims in court. In short, a lawyer ensures the insurance company doesn’t undervalue, delay, or deny a valid claim.

The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney

There are numerous advantages to hiring an experienced car accident lawyer. Their work begins the moment you call and continues through settlement—or trial if necessary. Each step is designed to strengthen your case, protect your health, and ensure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to under Ohio law.

Knowledgeable Guidance

From day one, your attorney will explain your legal rights, answer your questions, and help you understand how Ohio’s negligence and insurance laws apply to your situation. Many victims don’t realize that:

  • statements they give early on may be used against them
  • Ohio’s comparative negligence laws can reduce compensation if fault isn’t properly challenged
  • critical deadlines apply to filing injury claims
  • certain damages, like pain and suffering, require strong documentation

Your lawyer guides you through every decision—what to sign, what to avoid, what documents matter, what to say (or not say) to insurers, and what steps to take next. This guidance not only reduces stress but prevents costly mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.

Maximize Your Settlement

Insurance companies are not built to pay victims fairly. They profit by denying claims, undervaluing injuries, or shifting blame. A personal injury attorney knows how to combat these tactics and has the resources to calculate the full value of your claim—something most victims struggle to do on their own.

Your attorney will carefully assess:

  • current and future medical bills
  • lost wages and reduced earning potential
  • property damage (getting your car fixed)
  • pain and suffering
  • emotional distress
  • long-term mobility or lifestyle limitations

They also use medical experts, vocational specialists, and economic analysts to ensure your settlement reflects the true cost of the accident. This is especially important in multi-car crashes (multi-vehicle accidents), where multiple parties and insurers may share fault.

Reduce Stress

Healing from car accident injuries is physically and emotionally demanding. You shouldn’t have to manage paperwork, phone calls, insurance negotiations, or legal filings on your own. With an attorney handling everything behind the scenes, you can focus solely on your health and recovery.

Your lawyer protects you from insurer pressure, shields you from adjuster tactics, and handles all communication so you don’t accidentally say something that could be used against your claim (learn why statements matter).

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Car accident claims are full of hidden pitfalls. A knowledgeable attorney helps you avoid mistakes such as:

  • accepting an early insurance offer before knowing your full medical prognosis
  • failing to document injuries or follow medical treatment
  • missing critical claim deadlines
  • posting harmful information online
  • giving a recorded statement to the insurer
  • not identifying all sources of insurance coverage

Even a minor error—like leaving a detail off a form—can give the insurer an excuse to deny or reduce your claim. Experienced car accident attorneys prevent these costly missteps and ensure your case remains strong from start to finish.

Represent You in Court

Most car accident cases settle, but some require litigation. When negotiations fail, your attorney prepares for trial, files the necessary motions, works with expert witnesses, and argues your case before a judge or jury. Even the willingness to take a case to court gives your lawyer strong leverage during settlement negotiations.

What Car Accident Lawyers Actually Do Behind the Scenes

A strong car accident case doesn’t happen by accident. It is built through careful investigation, legal expertise, and strategic negotiation. Here’s what an attorney does that most people never see:

  • Investigates the accident using police reports, witness statements, 911 audio, vehicle photos, and crash scene evidence
  • Secures video footage from traffic cameras, businesses, or nearby homeowners
  • Works with accident reconstruction experts to analyze speed, braking, impact points, or multi-vehicle involvement
  • Obtains cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected
  • Reviews medical records and consults with doctors to document the full extent of your injuries
  • Calculates damages using immediate and long-term costs (what is my case worth?)
  • Prepares detailed demand packages backed by evidence and expert opinions
  • Identifies all liable parties, especially in multi-car or commercial vehicle collisions
  • Negotiates forcefully with insurance companies trained to minimize payouts
  • Prepares for litigation if the insurer refuses to treat you fairly

This level of work is nearly impossible for the average person to complete while recovering from injuries. A lawyer’s involvement levels the playing field and increases your chances of receiving full compensation.

Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make after a crash. Here are valuable questions to ask during your consultation:

  • How many car accident cases have you handled? Experience matters—especially with insurers.
  • What results have you achieved in similar cases? Look for proven success.
  • Do you regularly litigate cases, or do you mainly settle? You want a lawyer willing to go to court.
  • What challenges do you foresee in my case? A good lawyer will be honest from the start.
  • How will you determine the value of my case? Understanding the process is essential.
  • How will you communicate with me? Consistent updates reduce stress.
  • What costs will I be responsible for? Most firms, like KNR, work on contingency: no win, no fee.
  • What should I avoid doing that could harm my case? Many victims unintentionally weaken their claim (things that ruin a case).

Asking these questions ensures you choose a lawyer who is skilled, communicative, and fully committed to your case.

The Drawbacks of Not Having a Lawyer

Going without a lawyer may save time initially, but often leads to lost compensation, unnecessary stress, and serious legal mistakes.

Underestimating Your Claim’s Value

Without understanding the complexities of injury claims, victims often undervalue their cases. For example:

  • future surgeries or therapy may not be accounted for
  • lost earning capacity is rarely calculated correctly
  • pain and suffering damages require strong documentation

This often results in accepting a settlement far lower than what your claim is truly worth.

Making Errors that Jeopardize Your Case

Car accident claims involve deadlines, required documents, medical evidence, and legal filings. Missing just one deadline—or making one error—can result in delays or outright denial of the claim (learn the steps).

Being Taken Advantage of By Insurers

Insurance companies are well-trained in minimizing payouts. Their adjusters know exactly what to say to confuse or pressure victims, especially those without legal representation (common insurance surprises). A lawyer prevents these tactics and fights for your full compensation.

Experienced Legal Representation is Crucial

Most people are unfamiliar with Ohio’s insurance laws, liability rules, or the tactics insurers use to devalue claims. A lawyer can mean the difference between a settlement that barely covers medical bills and one that truly compensates you for all your losses. Legal representation levels the playing field, reduces stress, and ensures your rights are protected at every step.

Hurt in a Car? KNR Can Help

Unless you are deeply familiar with Ohio’s legal system and insurance practices, it is essential to have professional representation to recover the full amount you deserve. At every stage of the claims process, an experienced attorney ensures you’re informed, protected, and in the strongest possible position.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLC, we have helped thousands of Ohio clients secure full and fair compensation after car accidents. We fight passionately and effectively for your rights, and we don’t charge any upfront fees—if you don’t recover compensation, you don’t owe anything.

Call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. With numerous locations throughout Ohio, help is always close by.