why do i need an attorney for a car accident?

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident

1. The Car Accident Caused Serious Injury or Death. If anyone was seriously injured or killed in the car accident, contact an experienced accident lawyer right away.
2. You Can’t Work Because Of Your Injuries And Need Ongoing Care. ...
3. Multiple Parties Were Involved in the Accident. ...
4. An Uninsured Motorist Was Involved in the Accident. ...

More items...

Full Answer

When should I hire a lawyer for a car accident?

 · The best part about hiring a car accident attorney Denver is that they have the best law knowledge. However, suppose you do not have this specific legal training. In that case, there are chances that you do not know the rules that are ideal in the particular case, like the limitations statute on personal injury compensation.

When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

 · A car accident attorney will make sure you get the medical attention that you need along with having your bills covered by the insurance company. An accident that could be considered minor by you could result in dire medical consequences.

Why do you need a lawyer after a car accident?

 · You may need an attorney to help you get your car repaired If your vehicle gets damaged in a car accident, you may need to fix it. However, the insurance company may not want to pay for all the repairs. An attorney can help you get your car repaired and ensure you are not stuck with the bill.

Do I really need a car accident attorney?

 · Why Do I Need a Lawyer to Help with My Case? Hiring an attorney after a car accident can give you an objective view of your case. When you meet with an attorney, they will review the facts of your accident, your injuries, time off work, etc., and tell you what your case is potentially worth.

4 Main Reasons You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Proving liability (who’s responsible for what damages). The aftermath of a car accident can be filled with high emotions. Each party involved in the accident may find themselves feeling stressed out as they try to defend themselves from accusations said by one another.

Available Damages

A car accident lawyer can ensure that you are compensated for all of the damages you are eligible for by helping you step-by-step of the way. The following are the available damages for injuries sustained in an accident:

Need a New Car Accident Attorney? Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers Today

If you have sustained injuries in the as a result of a car accident, our experienced team of car accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Why do you need a car accident lawyer?

A significant benefit to hiring a car accident lawyer to handle your claim is that we can advise you of all of your legal options. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a reasonable settlement amount, we are prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What does an attorney do for insurance?

Your attorney will: Negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Handle all details of your claim for you. Help prepare a written or verbal statement that is carefully crafted to your benefit.

What to do before negotiating with insurance adjuster?

Before entering into a negotiation with an insurance adjuster, contact a trusted car accident lawyer who has experience doing just that on a regular basis. Our attorneys are experienced in negotiating fair settlements for our clients that help them obtain the compensation they deserve. We will not settle for anything less.

What is an insurance adjuster?

Insurance adjusters spend their days negotiating insurance settlements. They are skilled negotiators who vigorously fight for their best interests. So too are auto accident lawyers. We regularly negotiate with insurance companies and other attorneys. However, the significant difference is that we are solely focused on the best interests of our clients.

What is Silver Spring car accident lawyer?

Our seasoned car accident lawyers in Silver Spring have decades of experience recovering compensation for those who have been injured by another motorist. We are committed to fighting for our clients and helping them get the compensation they need to recover from their injuries and losses.

How to get a personal injury case?

Having handled many complex personal injury and auto accident cases, our attorneys have the skills and resources to obtain the evidence needed to build a case on your behalf. This can include: 1 Consulting medical experts to validate the seriousness of your injuries 2 Reconstructing the accident scene 3 Obtaining the accident report

What happens if you don't negotiate with insurance companies?

If you do not have experience negotiating with insurance companies, it can be difficult to ensure your best interests are represented and that you receive the full value of your claim. Furthermore, an insurance adjuster may get you to inadvertently issue a statement or make a comment that could affect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.

How to evaluate your injuries after a car accident?

Evaluating your injuries after a car accident is not necessarily straightforward. The other party’s insurance company will look at the accident facts and determine whether they believe your injuries are related. They will also look at the treatment you had, the costs, and whether your treatment was reasonable and necessary. Did you recover within the expected period of time for that type of injury, or did it take you considerably longer? These are all factors that can impact your case value.

What is the goal of an adjuster?

Their goal is to gain information from you that they can use against you to reduce your claim’s value or deny it outright. The adjuster may offer you a small amount early on in the case in hopes you will settle. That way, they can close their file before you have additional treatment.

What happens if your insurance company denies your claim?

When the insurance company denies your claim, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will continue to push settlement through the discovery process. If the other driver’s insurance company keeps denying liability, your attorney will prepare your case for trial.

What damages will affect your claim?

Other damages like pain and suffering and lost wages will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you need future treatment, like surgery, that will affect the value of your claim too.

Can insurance deny a claim for a car accident?

Even if evidence points to the other driver being entirely at fault, their insurance company is likely to deny liability or offer you less than your claim is worth.

Can a case go to trial?

If your case proceeds into litigation, you need an attorney who has the necessary experience to take your case all the way to trial. Many cases won’t ever go to trial, but there is always the chance.

Can an attorney handle insurance adjusters?

An attorney can also handle all negotiations with the other party’s insurance company. Dealing with insurance adjusters can be daunting. They may give the appearance they are on your side, but they aren’t. Their goal is to gain information from you that they can use against you to reduce your claim’s value or deny it outright. The adjuster may offer you a small amount early on in the case in hopes you will settle. That way, they can close their file before you have additional treatment.

What does a car accident attorney do?

During this consultation, the attorney will learn more about your car accident and your injuries and determine if they are willing to represent you. They want to know if you have a claim worth pursuing before committing to providing you their services. If you do have a claim, they can give you an estimate of what they think might be worth it.

What does it mean when you have a severe injury?

You sustained a severe injury — the more severe your injury, the more financial burdens you will have. The more the insurance company will fight paying what your claim is worth. Severe injuries do not necessarily mean you were hospitalized or had surgery. Broken bones, joint injuries, or anything else causing pain or long-term treatment are severe injuries.

What does it mean when an insurance company puts the blame on you?

The insurance company might try to say that you did not report your injuries soon enough or did something to make it worse, like not seeking treatment. They don’t want to pay, and you need an attorney who will show them that they need to.

What to do if you are worried about paying your medical bills?

If you are worried about how you will pay for your medical bills, you need to be sure you are receiving maximum compensation for your injuries. Your attorney might also be able to help you with medical liens. These types of liens allow you to get the medical care you need when you need it. The provider agrees to get paid from the proceeds of your settlement or court award when you receive it.

How to buy insurance?

Get online, give the company your personal and vehicle information, receive a quote, accept the policy, and then make your premium payments. Of course, this is a good life skill to have, but very few people know how to actually use their insurance policy. They are not aware of what their policy covers, how the claims process works, and what the provisions in their insurance contract mean. Even fewer people understand how different types of insurance policies like health and auto policies coordinate coverage. What makes these issues even more confusing is that insurance policies can vary from one state to the next based on each state’s laws.

Can you be injured in a car accident?

Some car accidents are so minor that they do not cause injuries. You might feel taken aback, surprised, shook up, or even very angry but not be physically injured. You might even feel sore, but it resolves within a few days. Oftentimes, accidents that happen at low speeds result in little or no injuries to all involved parties. These accidents may only require a property damage claim for damage done to your vehicle, bicycle, or other personal belongings.

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault? If the car accident was your fault, you likely do not need a personal injury attorney. If you caused the accident and suffered injuries, your claim will not be against anyone else. In this case, your insurance company is responsible for providing you with an attorney and defending you. You will not be charged for this service as it is a benefit of carrying insurance. However, it is common for your carrier to raise your rates after a claim.

What happens if you are at fault for an accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and the other driver decides to sue you, you will need a lawyer to defend you. In this case, it is likely that your auto insurance company will provide a car accident attorney for you, but keep in mind that an insurance company’s lawyer works first in the best interest of the insurer and in your interests secondarily. Even if your insurance company provides a lawyer, you may want to hire your own attorney if you can afford it.

What are the rules for insurance?

If the following is true of an accident, it is unlikely that the insurance company will lowball you: 1 There was only property damage, and nobody was hurt or killed. 2 You suffered minor or no physical injuries. 3 The settlement you deserve is relatively small.

Why is having a lawyer important?

In contrast to the example above, there are also circumstances where having a lawyer is important. These are circumstances where they could negotiate you a much higher settlement, or where they could help counter insurance company tactics designed to keep you from getting paid.

What does it mean when an insurance company says you didn't report your injury?

This tactic takes many forms. Often the insurance company will say you didn’t report your injury soon enough or made it “worse” by not seeking treatment. This is their way of saying they won’t pay for all of it. You need representation.

Can you give a recorded statement to an insurance company?

No one should ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even their own insurance company, without consulting an attorney first.

Is it worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer?

Even with a “minor” injury, it’s still worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer before you make any decisions in your case. And if the same minor injury required physical therapy, a specialist, an epidural, or other special treatment, it could be worth thousands more and a lawyer could make a big difference for you.

Do insurance companies take your injury seriously?

The insurance company doesn’t seem to take your injury as seriously as you do. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their job is to pay the least amount possible. Once they put a dollar amount on your diagnosis, they don’t really care whether the treatment worked or not. Get someone on your side who is there to represent your interests, and force them to take you seriously.

How much do lawyers need to improve their recovery?

If a lawyer takes one-third of your recovery, then they'll need to improve your expectedresults by more than 50% to justify hiring them.

What to do if insurance company is not playing nice?

If the insurance company is not playing nice or refusing to acknowledge the full extent of your claim, you would definitely want to talk to an attorney.

Do attorneys take on smaller claims?

Don't doubt there are attorneys who'll take on smaller claims in exchange for a higher percentage of the recovery.

Can a car be one excitable dog?

Your car may be one excitable dog and a loose gear shifter away from being part of a two-vehicle incident involving no humans. (You can ask any insurance adjuster, and they'll tell you that strange things do indeed happen!)

Do injury lawyers offer free consultations?

Most injury and accident law firms offer free initial consultations, so feel free to ask around and get some advice before going forward with your claim .

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.