Car Accident Tips: When You Should Call A Lawyer

When To Call A Lawyer After A Car Accident

If you are involved in an insignificant car accident, odds are you will not need a lawyer. An example of a car accident that is insignificant is when two vehicles back into one another at low speeds in a parking lot. In such cases, the damage is minimal and nobody is injured.

There are times that there’s no damage at all. In this case, you may consult your insurance company and need not get a lawyer. However, there are instances when a car accident warrants the assistance of a lawyer:

• Death – A car accident that results in death must be handled by a lawyer. Whether you are the opposing driver or a surviving loved one in a car accident, seek the advice of a lawyer immediately.
• Serious Injuries – If there are serious injuries, you would want to retain the lawyer’s services. Such car crashes include hospitalization, injuries or broken bones that are more likely to be permanent by nature.
• Fault – When a car accident does occur and fault becomes a clear problem, it is time for legal guidance.
• Insurance Problems – If any car involved in the accident does not have insurance, the insurance company suggests that you did not pay your premium, or the limits on insurance are very low, a lawyer may help.
• Construction Zone – A car accident that happens in a construction zone can be dangerous. Such accidents may involve a worker or hitting violations on the driver’s part. Heavy penalties and fines are imposed for accidents in the construction zones.
• Lawyers Are Involved – If anybody, including your insurance company, hires a lawyer, you would want to call one and secure a lawyer immediately.
• Additional Parties – When there are additional parties involved, you will have to call a lawyer. Such parties may include other automobiles and pedestrians.
• Police Report – An inaccurate police report has a lasting impact on your claim. If the report puts the blame on you and isn’t accurate, you will require a lawyer to fight and help your case.

Other Times When Lawyers Should Be Considered

You may also seek the advice of a lawyer if you are not sure if the insurer is acting in good faith, stuck in the negotiations, confused about the policies, not sure of the rights, and there is a problem with the accident’s fault.

Car accident cases should be filed, whether or not you consider working with a lawyer. Car accident cases involve some moving parts such as insurance companies, lawyers, police reports, and so on.

If the circumstances are complicated like trying to prove lost wages, you would want legal advice. It may be hard to prove the lost wages as a consultant, salesperson, or business owner who does not have a typical 9 to 5 job.

If the other party involved hires a lawyer, it is best to consult your lawyer. In many circumstances, a lawyer must be consulted prior to having a discussion with an insurance adjuster. Lawyers can protect your rights after an accident.

How Soon Should You Be In Touch With A Lawyer?

It is recommended to call a lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident. The reason behind it is that the at-fault party will notify their insurance company immediately, and will get in touch with you to discuss everything that happened. You must not give a statement to the insurance company without calling a lawyer first.

Take note that the insurance company isn’t looking out for your interests. They’re not concerned with how much your medical expenses are, or the number of days you might have had to take off of work due to your injuries. Insurance companies are concerned with getting you to accept low settlement offers. A lawyer will deal with the insurance company, so you do not need to worry about saying something that’s incorrect and agreeing to an amount you aren’t satisfied with.

When it comes to personal injury claims, there’s also a statute of limitations, which means that after a particular period of time has passed, you can’t file a claim to recover compensation for all of your injuries.

In some states, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the day the accident happened. It may seem like a lot of time, but it passes quickly, particularly when you’re recovering from serious injuries. The sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner your lawyer can start the process of formally filing claims.

If you get in touch with a lawyer, you’ll have to give him or her all the information you have about the car accident, including the contact information of other parties, medical documentation of the injuries, police report, and recollection of what happened. After that, your lawyer will determine the worth of your personal injury claim and start the negotiation with the insurance company. If an agreement can’t be reached through negotiation, the case will go to trial.

Conclusion

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. Injuries may quickly derail your whole life and can result in lifelong and permanent disabilities. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced and reputable lawyer on your side from the very beginning. With the help of a lawyer, getting the fair compensation and justice you deserve is not impossible.