Car accidents not only cause shock, fear, and a traumatic experience, but also you have to deal with the insurance companies, medical bills, and lost wages. This brings up an important question, “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?”
It doesn’t have a straightforward answer. We suggest you consult a lawyer immediately after the car accident. It’s crucial to prove that you were not at fault during the crash. A lawyer will help you get the deserved compensation covering your medical bills, physical and property damage.
It’s critical because insurance companies try to lowball your claim. So, the lawyer will prepare your case and navigate the legal and insurance procedures. So, you have enough time to take care of your physical and mental health.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
Car accident scenarios are far more complex than most people think. You have to deal with the opposite party, insurance adjusters, and police. It can overwhelm you without professional legal guidance. It puts you amongst many questions including, “Do I need a lawyer for a car accident settlement?” You must hire a car accident lawyer to protect your interests.
Serious Injuries:
Always consult a lawyer for serious injuries after an automobile accident. There could be emergency room visits, ongoing doctor appointments, physical therapy, or surgery. The injuries may further include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe whiplash
- Internal injuries
The lawyer will assess your “pain and suffering.” It is non-economic damage and the attorney can claim compensation for it.
Disputed Liability/Fault:
At times, the accident might include multiple parties. It makes the at-fault party unclear. Also, the insurance company of the other driver might try to put the blame on you, fully or partially. A lawyer will protect your right and prove your innocence.
The lawyer will collect evidence, including photos, videos and witnesses. With it, he will develop your case to prove the negligence of the opposite party. It’s even more important for accidents involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists.
Significant Property Damage:
During car accidents, your vehicle also needs repairs. The repairing cost can be huge depending on the damage level such as broken windshield, dashboard, etc. Also, the opposite car might hit your house or fence that requires replacement or repairs.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM Claims):
Many times, the driver at-fault will have no or insufficient insurance coverage. In such cases, you have to file the claim under Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) policy.
It’s complex since you claim the compensation against your insurance provider. So, a learned lawyer is necessary to deal with the adversity of UM or UIM cases.
Insurance Company Tactics:
Insurance companies always try to minimize the payout. So, you are at risk of losing a significant claim without the right accident lawyer. So, consider a lawyer if:
- The settlement offer fails to cover your damages and costs
- Unreasonable delays in your claim and payout
- Requirement of extensive information or recorded statement
- Improper justification and invalid reasons to deny your claim
- Unexpected pressure from the insurance adjusters
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity:
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident for my lost wages? The answer to this question is yes, you must hire a professional to claim compensation for the lost earning capacity.
Serious car accidents might even impact your future career and performance. So, hire a lawyer who can access it and prepare documents with appropriate arguments for such claims.
Wrongful Death:
Car accidents might cause death to your family members or loved ones, including pets. It leaves a long-lasting and emotional impact on you. Car accident specialist lawyers will assist you with the legal complexity in such deep-emotional moments.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Not all car accidents are major and need attorney help. Particularly, you don’t need lawyers for minor accidents without any injury suffering. Also, for “fender-benders,” or minimal property damages, you don’t need car accident attorneys. For minor clashes, both parties may agree for who was at-fault and settle it peacefully.
You likely don’t need a lawyer if:
- No Significant Medical Expenses: For minor injuries without any substantial medical visits and fees.
- No Lost Wages or Future Earning Capacity Concerns: You can ignore hiring the lawyer in case you didn’t miss any work hour and significantly lost wages.
- Easy Negotiation: For minor injuries, the negotiation with the insurance adjuster should be easy. So, you feel comfortable without the automobile accident attorney.
- Undisputed Fault with Full Insurance Coverage: Many times, the party at-fault will admit it and the insurance company agrees for the payout without delay.
But if the accident is major and an expert lawyer such as from The Ledger Law Firm will ensure that you get an appropriate settlement for the injury.
What a Lawyer Can Do for You
Specialist car accident lawyers bring their experience to your case. Their expertise in traffic and accident laws, personal injury statutes, and insurance regulations make the process a cake walk.
Also, they have local resources, connections and knowledge to collect the required evidence. It reduces your hassle of collecting photo and video witnesses after the car crash.
A good car accident lawyer will even reconstruct the accident scenario with the event. It helps in developing the negotiation strategies better. Further, they can calculate both the economic and non-economic damages to file the claim.
For finding the best car accident lawyer consider:
- Their expertise in the car accident litigation field
- The amount of claim they have successfully recovered
- No upfront fees or who agrees to get paid only if you win
- Some attorneys might take a percentage of the recovered claim
Conclusion
Should I get a lawyer for a car accident? The answer to this question is a personal one but we always suggest you hire an expert lawyer. They can see through the critical court procedure, legal steps and insurance negotiations.
Also, attorneys can suggest you the right medical help, solve undisputed fault for the uninsured motorists. Also, their assistance will help you navigate the emotional and traumatic experience after the car accidents.