when to involve an attorney in an auto accident

by Merle Thompson 4 min read

There is no law mandating that you must hire an attorney when seeking compensation after a car accident. Some victims of car accidents choose to seek legal counsel and representation so that they can focus on their health and recovery while also pursuing legal action.

Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer . Anytime you’ve been involved in an auto accident, it is definitely in your best interests to contact an experienced Carrollton car accident lawyer to represent you. Keep in mind that the other parties involved may have contacted their attorneys as well, and in that case, it is entirely possible that those attorneys will attempt to shift the blame …

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?

Perhaps the most important role a car accident attorney plays is that of advocate. This means acting on your behalf and with your best interests in mind at every stage of the claim process. Whether it's dealing with a car insurance company or presenting your case to a judge or jury, your attorney will be your champion, making sure your side of the story is heard and that you are …

Is it a risk to handle a car accident claim alone?

Jan 24, 2022 · Even if there is damage to your car, the other driver's car appears to be undamaged, and no one has been injured in the crash, you may not need a lawyer. However, when you talk to a personal injury attorney, it soon becomes apparent why you need a lawyer – even if you think your accident is too minor to be worth the time. image source. If you're …

What happens if I Can’t settle my accident case?

Read Enjuris Guide on Finding the Right Car Accident Attorney. You do, however, have to ask if paying an attorney to recovery $10,000 in damages is worth the bother if you end up handing over $5,000 to the law firm.

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Is it worth getting a lawyer for a car accident?

You may want to consider an auto accident lawyer if you suffered damages to your quality of life or the other driver’s insurance company is refusin...

Can I fire my auto accident lawyer?

Yes, you can fire your auto accident lawyer or legal team at any time. They work for you. However, be sure to read your agreement because some lawy...

What is the average payout for an auto accident?

The average bodily injury accident claim in 2018 was $15,785, according to the latest data from the Insurance Information Institute. Insurance comp...

How can an attorney help you in a car accident?

Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.

What does it mean to hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations -- for minors, for example.

Can an attorney file a lawsuit?

Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how best to mitigate any possible defenses raised by the other side. In addition, once your case gets under way, your lawyer will play an invaluable role in preparing your case for trial -- and even going to trial if your case doesn't settle.

Do you need an attorney for a car accident?

Usually, car accidents in volving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome.

Can an attorney do a car accident settlement?

After you have been in a car accident, taking on this time-consuming work may be the last thing you want to do, assuming you're able. An attorney can do it all for you.

How much money do you need to settle a lawsuit without counsel?

For example, if you're expecting a $100,000 settlement without the benefit of counsel, a lawyer would need to get you more than $150,000 to make it worth the bother. Believe it or not, most attorneys give honest opinions on whether or not it would be worth your while to hire an attorney or take any easy settlement.

What is the importance of signing off on an agreement?

It is important, however, to have a high level of confidence that something unexpected isn't going to happen. Once you sign off on an agreement, you'll likely never have the chance to seek more money ever again.

Do insurance companies do their jobs?

In a lot of instances, insurance companies do in fact do their jobs as expected. There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill. Let's take a look at some of the cases where you may NOT need to hire an attorney after an accident.

Can you file a personal injury claim if you have no injuries?

Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.

Do you have to have counsel in small claims court?

You're certainly entitled to have counsel present to protect your rights in small claims court . The law firm, however, is likely going to expect a fee for their services rather than working on contingency, since the expected recovery would be very small. It depends on the situation.

Is the police report accurate?

The paperwork does not look accurate ( police report, insurance communications) Details are complicated (technical, legal, medical) Insurance is not playing nice. You do, however, have to ask if paying an attorney to recovery $10,000 in damages is worth the bother if you end up handing over $5,000 to the law firm.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury?

This is also known as the statutes of limitations. Generally, the statutes of limitations for personal injury cases vary from one state to another. Hence, you should check out your state’s statutes of limitations for personal injury cases so you’ll know when the lawsuit should be filed.

Can a lawsuit be settled through settlement?

While most cases can be settled through settlement, some lawsuits proceed to trial litigation. When this happens, you should hire a lawyer to navigate the trial correctly. Typically, facing trial litigation comes with specific paperwork and legal procedures.

Can you get your life back from a car accident?

But, no matter how careful you are in driving, accidents can still happen. Thankfully, even if you’re injured, you can get your life back by fighting for your rights against the at-fault party. You can do this by working closely with a lawyer to get the help that you need.

Do insurance companies make settlements easy?

Hence, they’ll not make the settlement process easy for you. Since you’ve been through a lot after the accident, they expect you to accept a lower offer than what you should recover based on the extent of your injuries.

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