when should i hire an attorney for a car accident

by Prof. Odie Willms 3 min read

  • Injury or Death. If someone in either vehicle suffered injuries or died, you should contact an experienced attorney. Serious accidents can be complicated and lawsuits and countersuits may be involved.
  • Disputes Over Fault. Maybe you and the other driver disagree about what happened or their insurance company is saying you don’t have enough proof.
  • The Crash Occurred in a School or Work Zone. The location of the accident can complicate things. ...
  • You Disagree With the Police Report. The police report is an important source of information. ...
  • Underinsurance or Uninsurance Involved. If the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance or it’s not enough to cover your losses, you need to talk to a lawyer.

Contacting a lawyer on the day of the collision, or within a few days afterward, is best. You can still hire a lawyer if you wait longer than that, but sooner is better. If you or someone else in your car suffered personal injuries, hiring a car accident lawyer is usually a good idea.

Full Answer

When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

 · A skilled car accident lawyer can fight for this compensation on your behalf. Many car accident victims wonder when they should hire a lawyer. Due to the time-sensitive nature of car crash claims, the sooner you can contact an experienced car accident attorney, the better. Your state may place a time limit (a statute of limitations) on your ability to sue for a car crash.

When to lawyer up after a car accident?

Knowing When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident If you have been involved in a collision, your best course of action is to talk to a lawyer, especially in the following situations: Injury or Death If someone in either vehicle suffered injuries …

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident?

 · Here are some situations where hiring an experienced car accident attorney may be beneficial for your claim. 1. The Accident Resulted in a Serious Injury. If the car accident results in a serious injury, whether to yourself, a passenger, or another driver, you should contact an attorney immediately.

How to find the right car accident attorney for You?

 · You should hire an attorney to represent you after a car accident in these situations: You suffered injuries and/or significant damage to your car. If you were involved in …

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Get Professional Advice From an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney

An attorney will give you an honest opinion about your case and whether or not it would be worth your time and money to hire an attorney or represent yourself. Because of this, it is in your best interest to call our office or contact us online and set up a free, no-hassle meeting with one of our lawyers today.

Car Accident FAQ

Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions are poor road conditions, distracted or drunk driving, and manufacturer errors.

Can I Get Compensation After A Crash Involving A Teen Driver?

Accidents involving teen drivers cause billions of dollars in losses each year (Center for Disease Control). Despite graduated license policies

What is the key to a successful car accident claim?

Knowing the law is key to a successful claim. Apart from the core issues of proving who is at fault in a car accident and the extent of damage or injuries, there are other legal issues that will affect your case and compensation.

What do insurance companies do to reduce the compensation paid out to victims of car accidents?

They can also handle the mountain of paperwork, phone-calls, and emails that are involved in an insurance claim, freeing you up to recover physically and emotionally from your accident.

Why is timing important in a car accident?

Timing is important in a car accident case. After you have been in a car accident, there are a lot of unexpected things to take care of and you may also be dealing with physical injuries and emotional distress. It can take time for you to recover and deal with the necessary phone-calls and paperwork.

Do most drivers carry insurance?

However, most drivers carry auto insurance, and your dealings will be with their insurance provider . Insurance companies have massive resources, including teams of lawyers and medical and forensic experts, all of whom are directed at reducing the money that is paid out to you for your car accident claim.

Is the insurance company at fault for a car accident?

You are up against the insurance company not the at-fault driver. When you file a claim in a car accident case, you are not opposing an individual driver but instead a large insurance company that handles such claims on a daily basis.

Is it bad to talk to a lawyer?

There are no drawbacks to talking to a lawyer. Any good lawyer will offer you a free initial consultation, either on the phone or in person, to discuss your case. They will listen to your story and advise you whether or not you might benefit from having a lawyer to represent you.

What happens if you don't have a strong legal claim?

If you do not have a strong legal claim in a car accident case, you are in a weaker negotiating position, and the insurance company knows it. Knowing the law is key to a successful claim.

Why do you need a car accident lawyer?

Hiring a car accident lawyer to handle a claim can avoid any legal misstep that could affect the level of compensation you receive. In addition, a competent attorney can help you decide the ideal course of action to ensure the best outcome.

How to contact an auto accident attorney?

Call our auto accident injury attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation. We can ensure that the other driver’s insurance company will provide sufficient coverage for all of your medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity, emotional distress, pain, and suffering.

How do car accidents affect the outcome of a case?

Nearly all car accidents generate legal issues that affect the outcome in resolving the cases. For instance, every state restricts the length of time a car accident victim can file a civil lawsuit or claim against the responsible driver and their insurance company.

What is the responsibility of the responsible party's insurance company?

The responsible party’s insurance company is well aware that building a solid claim provides you a better negotiating position. A comprehensive understanding of civil tort law is crucial to a successful car accident claim.

Why do people take legal action?

Taking legal action ensures that the victim receives fair compensation that is often based on the insurance policy’s limits. An experienced personal injury lawyer will likely build their cases to show insurance carriers that the lawsuit could go to trial if they refuse to make a good faith offer to resolve the case.

Why do people rush to adrenaline after an accident?

While the adrenaline rush from the car accident helps to protect the victim , it can also mask severe injuries until the adrenaline subsides in the bloodstream.

How do personal injury lawyers work?

Most personal injury lawyers work on behalf of their clients to secure justice by holding the at-fault driver responsible for all damages. In addition, many attorneys specializing in car crashes work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid only after the client receives financial compensation.

What to do when no one wants to take the blame for an accident?

This isn’t uncommon, especially when no one wants to take the blame for an accident, so be prepared with witnesses and any proof you may have. With the guidance from a lawyer, they will help find and question people who were witness to the accident, possibly access street footage from the city or surrounding businesses, and help thoroughly investigate the case to ensure you receive proper compensation for any of your losses. A lawyer is necessary when it comes to preserving much-needed evidence toward your case, especially so if you are currently undergoing medical treatment or are enduring the loss of a loved one.

What happens when a car accident is contested?

When a car accident occurs and the blame is contested, it’s possible the other party may have hired a lawyer to represent their claim. If this is the case, hiring your own car accident lawyer to gather evidence and present a case is imperative to making sure your innocence is proven and the damages to your vehicle or personal injury are fairly compensated for.

When do you need a lawyer for a car accident?

Mar 19, 2020 — You probably need to hire a lawyer if: · There is dispute over who was at fault or what caused the accident. · The accident took place in a (36) …

What can a car accident lawyer do?

An experienced car accident lawyer can help you handle any and all losses sustained during the accident. An attorney can also help you reduce the amount of (31) …

Can an experienced personal injury attorney help with your insurance claim?

Nov 29, 2019 — An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Insurance Claim If you’re facing injuries from a car accident due to the negligence (24)

Should I hire a lawyer for an accident that wasn't my fault?

Should I hire a lawyer for an accident that wasn’t my fault? Yes. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can also help ensure you receive fair compensation by (23) …

Is it too early to hire a lawyer for a car accident?

It’s never too early to hire an attorney to help with the details of your car accident case. To be frank, the earlier you hire a lawyer, the better. Contacting (17) …

Do you need an attorney after an accident?

Yes you do. Even after a serious accident, many people don’t think they need an attorney. They believe that because they are going through an insurance company, (13) …

Can an insurer make things difficult on you?

However, an insurer may try to make things difficult on you or take advantage of your lack of knowledge regarding the law and the insurance policy. By hiring a (29) …

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