Do I Need A Lawyer For My Car Accident?

After an accident, most people are bombarded with calls and letters from insurance companies, medical providers, and attorneys. Amidst all of the activity, one of the most important questions to ask is do you need to hire an attorney for your car accident? 

Not every claim which you are considering against another party requires an attorney. The facts and circumstances of each case determine when you need to involve the services of an attorney. Here are a few things to consider when contemplating whether to hire an attorney: 

1. Is fault contested in your case, or do the other driver and their insurance company admit that the other driver caused the accident?

Where fault for accident is contested, if you cannot prove that the other driver caused the accident, you will lose and recover nothing. So, you cannot take a chance on this. If there is going to be a fight over fault, especially if that fight will be waged in a court that applies the technical rules of evidence, then there is too much at stake for you to go it alone, and you need a car accident lawyer's help.

2. How much are your out-of-pocket expenses for such things as medical bills and lost income?

You might be comfortable settling your own claims if your out-of-pocket expenses are very small and you do not have any medical bills, but you might not want to handle your own claims if you are concerned about the insurance company adequately compensating you for all of your expenses. 

3. How seriously were you injured and how long did it take you to recover?

If you had a serious injury such as a broken bone or a herniated disk that affected you for a long time, and especially if you have a permanent injury that will haunt you the rest of your life, you have a potentially large claim and should hire a lawyer to present it professionally.

4. How bad was the property damage to your vehicle? 

In many cases, it is more difficult to get better settlements on accidents with lower property damage because insurance companies like to argue that low property damage means no significant injuries. If you have been in a low speed accident but have significant injuries, you may need the expert advice of an attorney to make sure your claim is properly considered. 

5. Are you going to court?

If you have to take your case to court, and you cannot use an alternative dispute resolution such as the consumer-friendly small claims court, you need a lawyer who knows the court rules. That way you give yourself a fair chance to win and ensure that your legal rights are protected.

If you have questions after your accident, feel free to contact the attorneys at Walton+ Brown LLP for a free consultation.