Car accidents are always unexpected and some can be traumatic experiences. Depending on the severity of the accident it can be costly and a legal nightmare. However, it’s not always clear when legal counsel is necessary at the onset of an accident case. You may be left wondering “should I get a lawyer for a car accident or can I handle this on my own”.
If you’re uncertain if you need to retain a car accident injury lawyer then you should first contact an attorney that offers a free initial consultation. Experienced auto accident injury lawyers can help you determine if your case needs suitable legal representation without any financial risk. At Valiente Mott Injury Attorneys, an injury lawyer will always provide you a free initial consultations.
When you need a car accident lawyer
There are definitely circumstances that a car wreck lawyer is necessary to protect you from financial ruin. You may also need the aid of a car injury lawyer in order to make sure that you’re getting the best settlement from your insurance company.
If you’re still asking yourself “should I get a lawyer after a car accident” you should evaluate the circumstances of the accident, which may include:
Serious injury – If you have sustained any serious injury that resulted in medical bills or physical therapy, you should consider getting a lawyer for the car accident case.
Loss of income – When seeking compensation for loss of time at work or other income streams, it’s common for insurance companies to lowball the value of the time missed. An attorney familiar with car accident injuries can help make sure that you receive a fair settlement.
Instances in which you may not need a lawyer
When to get a lawyer for a car accident can also be answered by how much money you expect to win. If the compensation you are seeking is too small, then hiring an attorney may not help you receive much more in settlement.
You probably won’t need legal representation if you didn’t sustain any injuries or they were so minor that they didn’t need medical attention. The reason being, while insurance companies have a for-profit business model, unless you’re seeking large amounts of money and claiming pain and suffering, they will generally pay out a fair settlement. It’s possible that an experienced car injury lawyer can help you negotiate a better settlement, but it most likely won’t be enough to compensate for the time invested in pursuing it.
However, before you decide that you don’t need an attorney, you should go through the free consultation to make sure that you’re not undervaluing yourself.
Should I get an attorney for my car accident if it wasn’t my fault
There are two types of methods that states handle auto accident claims. You have no-fault states and tort states. In no-fault states, you have personal insurance that will pay for damages regardless of who’s at fault. In tort states, you need to go through the standard claims process to obtain a recovery for your injuries.
The question you want to know is: Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t my fault.
In some cases, such as when you don’t sustain an injury, you can do without a lawyer. However, if you received any injuries that required any medical attention or time away from work, then you will absolutely want to get a lawyer.
As in the aforementioned section, when it comes to car repairs or minor scratches to your person, your insurance company will most likely not put up much of a fight to resolving your case. However, when you sustain moderate to severe injuries as a result of an accident, insurance companies will subject you to a variety of tests and will insinuate you are a liar in order to save themselves money on your claim. Insurance companies are notorious for doing everything within their power to deny your claim or find any avenue possible to minimize how much money they pay you. This is why hiring a good accident attorney is so critical.
If you caused the accident
If you were the cause of a car accident, your insurance company will almost always hire a lawyer on your behalf. Here are some clear signs that your insurance company will need to hire an attorney for you:
- The accident resulted in serious injury or a fatality
- The other driver has missed time at work and is in need of ongoing treatment
- There were multiple parties involved in the collision
- You need evidence collected from the accident
- You are in the process of settlement talks
Each of these circumstances can leave you emotionally and financially drained if you try to handle them yourself. The injured parties should, and usually will, have a car wreck lawyer protecting their interests against your insurance company. Should your insurance company believe it’s warranted, they will hire a lawyer for you, too.
Benefits of working with a car injury lawyer
Handling a car accident can be an exhausting experience, so before you jump in and file a claim with an insurance company, it’s best to have a free consultation with a skilled car accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer will help you to receive a fair settlement from your insurance provider in the case of medical expenses, lost wages, personal property repair, as well as pain and suffering.
There are also numerous loopholes and deadlines that you need to be aware of, and having a car injury lawyer by your side can help lift this burden. If you’re also unsure as to who is at-fault for the accident, a lawyer will help you gather evidence as well as work towards proving negligence.
Most importantly, if your case does need to go to court, you’ll have competent authority to help substantiate your claim.
What to do immediately after being in a car crash
If you’ve been in a car accident, even if it wasn’t your fault or you think that there wasn’t any damages, you need to stop. Check to see if there are any medical emergencies and contact the proper authorities if anyone has suffered an injury. After exchanging information with the other parties involved, you need to take as many pictures of the scene as you can, so that they can be submitted as evidence. Limit the conversation with the other parties and never admit fault. Once the police have surveyed the scene, make sure to get a copy of the report. You should seek medical attention if necessary and contact your insurance company. Finally, you should always speak to a lawyer.
Managing the aftermath of a collision can be taxing, especially if you’ve been injured. That’s why it’s best to work with the experienced attorneys at Valiente Mott. Before you attempt to handle the case on your own, wondering should I get a lawyer for a car accident, make sure to contact us for your free consultation. Call today at 702-623-2323