Anyone who has ever been in a car accident knows how stressful the legal process can be. The insurance companies are at fault, the witnesses aren’t helping your cause, and frankly, you’re still at fault even if it was someone else’s fault. While that isn’t most reassuring, you’re probably asking yourself: when should you hire an attorney after a car accident?
The most important thing to remember is that it’s never too early to call a specialized car accident attorney. Even if you think the accident wasn’t your fault or you’re not sure if you want to pursue legal action, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible will not only help ensure that all the necessary steps are taken in the case—but it may also help protect you from liability down the line.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the several factors that can weigh into your decision to hire an attorney after an accident. Hopefully, this information will help you decide whether it’s the right option for your situation.
6 reasons to hire an attorney after a car accident
When you’re involved in any kind of accident and suffer injuries as a result, hiring an attorney is one of the best ways to protect your legal rights. Even if the accident was minor, it’s still important to hire an attorney.
Here are 6 good reasons why you should always hire an attorney after a car accident:
- You suffered injuries
If you were injured in a car accident, the other driver may be at fault for your injuries, but you will have to prove it. Insurance companies will try to convince you that it is your fault, or that the other driver was not even driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.
They will also try to convince you that you are not as badly injured as you think you are. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive compensation for any injuries sustained in the accident.
- You’re unable to return to work
When you’re unable to return to work due to the accident, then an attorney can help you recover compensation for lost wages as well as any other damages caused by the crash. You may also need time off from work for medical treatment or other injuries sustained during the crash.
This will help ensure that you and your family receive the money they need while recovering from their injuries.
- You need help with medical care bills
If your medical bills are too high for you to pay out of pocket, then you should hire an attorney who can help negotiate a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company. This will ensure that they cover all of your medical expenses and get paid back by the other party’s insurance company if necessary.
- You suffered significant damage to your car
If you suffered significant damage to your car, it’s worth hiring an attorney to help you with your claim. You may not have realized that the accident was the fault of another driver, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a right to compensation. Your attorney will be able to represent you in court and make sure that your case is heard by a jury.
If you’re going to be out of your vehicle for a while and will have to pay rent on something else or buy a new car while it’s being fixed, then it’s probably worth hiring an attorney.
- It’s not just your fault
After a car accident, it’s easy to feel like you’re at fault. Maybe you got distracted and rear-ended someone. Maybe you were going too fast and hitting a tree. Or maybe you just had the bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever happened, there are plenty of reasons to hire an attorney after a car accident:
While it may seem obvious that you were at fault for causing an accident, it’s important to remember that other drivers can be liable too—even if they weren’t directly involved in the crash! For example, if they were speeding or driving erratically before the collision, it could be their fault as well.
- You’ve been offered a low-ball settlement from the insurer
Negotiating with the insurance company can be one of the most frustrating parts of the car accident process. You might be tempted to accept their offer, but this could be a big mistake.
Insurers will often make low-ball offers because they know that many people are too busy or overwhelmed by their injuries and medical bills to fight back. Your attorney can help you get fair compensation.
In fact, some states have laws against insurers offering unreasonably low settlements in order to avoid paying for more expensive medical care. If you’re offered a settlement that seems too good to be true, it probably is—and it could land you with more medical bills than you bargained for.
Final word
To wrap it up, if you were involved in a car accident, the above information should provide you with some insight into your legal rights. However, it would be prudent to discuss the specifics of your case with a qualified attorney to learn more about what legal remedies may be available to you, and how you can best protect yourself in light of the accident.