When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

Lots of people never expect to need a lawyer, but you might be surprised how common it is to need legal help. One such situation that unfortunately happens all the time is a car accident. With their high potential to cause serious losses, including property damage, injuries, lost wages during recovery, and more, car accidents can easily turn into lengthy ordeals. If you or a loved one was hurt in the accident, navigating that ordeal on your own can be a real challenge. That’s where a car accident lawyer comes in.

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

You might be thinking to yourself, “what if it was just a minor car accident? Do I really still need a lawyer?”

The short answer? Probably.

If you were involved in a tiny fender bender that only left a scratch on your bumper and no one was hurt, you’re probably safe to make your insurance claim on your own. If, however, any of the following resulted from the car crash, it is highly recommended that you contact an attorney immediately:

• The accident left you seriously and/or permanently injured
• The accident resulted in significant damage to your car
• The accident resulted in the loss of your loved one
• It is clear or even just possible that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence
• You were offered a lowball settlement by the other driver’s insurance company

Recommended Reading: Questions Your Car Accident Lawyer Will Ask

3 Reasons to Go with a Car Accident Lawyer Instead of Going it Alone

1. Lawyers Know How to Maximize Compensation

In theory, youcouldseek compensation for damages after an auto accident without the help of a lawyer. In reality, that’s an avenue that is not going to produce the kind of results you want, especially if you’re also dealing with the pain and inconvenience of an injury.

Plain and simple, attorneys have the knowledge and resources to maximize payouts while protecting and enforcing your legal rights. They will pursueeverypossible channel to get you every penny of what you are rightfully owed, from sources you may not have even thought you were entitled to collect from.

2. You’ll Have a Team of Experts On Your Side

Hiring a car accident lawyer is more than just hiring one person—you’ll have a whole team of experts investigating and handling all of the ins-and-outs of your case for you while you focus on healing.

A seasoned attorney can help you with the following items that would certainly be very difficult or impossible to do on your own:

• Determine the true value of your claim.There’s nothing straightforward about putting a dollar amount on your car accident, which encompasses the cost of repairs to your vehicle, the amount of income lost while you’re out of work recovering, any future expenses related to your injury, non-tangible things like pain and suffering, and so much more. Accurate valuation of damages is just one of the many ways a lawyer can help you.
• Identify all liable parties involved in the accident.This can be much more than just the driver who hit you – perhaps the city is responsible for a poorly maintained or dangerously designed road, or perhaps your accident was partially or completely caused by a dangerous vehicle defect.
• Gather evidence.This is one of the most important parts of your claim, so it needs to be done correctly and in a timely manner. Car accident attorneys are highly skilled in the collection of evidence. Once evidence is gathered, it will be compiled to create a compelling case that prove liability for the damages you have sustained.
• Negotiate with insurance companies.Working with insurance companies is never a walk in the park, especially when you recognize that their top priority is their bottom line, not you. Your attorney will take care of all of that for you, so you won’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing and potentially devaluing your claim.
• Create a legal strategy and file a lawsuit, if necessary.If a fair settlement can not be reached, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit. This is not something you can do without the help of an experienced attorney.

3. You Have Nothing to Lose with Free Consultations Contingency Fee Arrangements

Even if you aren’t sure whether your accident warrants the involvement of a lawyer, you have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation. At no cost to you, you can have an attorney review the facts of your case. He or she can then determine approximately how much your case may be worth or whether your circumstances point to a potential lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. With all of this information, you can make an informed decision on whether to have the attorney pursue the case.

Worried about costs? Don’t be. With contingency fee agreements, you won’t pay your attorney anything unless they recovery compensation. No recovery, no fee.

When is it Too Late to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Texans have two years from the date of an accident to bring a personal injury claim. Unless the statute of limitations has passed, it is not too late to hire a car accident attorney. Although it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident, it’s never too late to seek professional legal advice. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to handle your claim yourself and have questions on how to proceed, we encourage you to get in touch with a lawyer.

Recommended Reading: Car Accident Claim FAQs