We spend so much time in our vehicles that it is easy to forget just how common car accidents all. It’s so common to get into a car accident that each one of us will most likely be in at least one accident during our lifetimes.
When you end up in this situation, what do you need to do? Not all car accidents will require legal help, but many will. How can you determine if you need a lawyer for a car accident?
Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.
When You Don’t Need an Attorney
Let’s start with a scenario that is simpler. When DON’T you need an attorney to step in and help you out in the wake of a car accident? Car accidents can be difficult to untangle and in most situations, you’ll likely need an attorney to help you out.
However, there are some more minor accidents that you may be able to do without the help of a lawyer.
If you’ve gotten into an accident but there is little to no damage to your vehicle or yourself then you might not need to hire an attorney. A good rule of thumb is this: if the money on the line is less than the cost of hiring an attorney, it is probably better to handle things on your own.
You will likely still be able to work with the opposing driver’s insurance company and get a situation worked out that is beneficial to yourself. This is true as long as the money on the table isn’t of great value.
When You Do Need To Hire an Attorney
Unfortunately for most of us, car accidents are not typically as simple as the above scenario. They often can be quite damaging and complicated. As a result, you may need to turn to a car crash attorney for help.
How might you know that you’ve found yourself in a situation that is outside your own ability to handle?
You’ve Been Seriously Injured
We probably don’t need to remind you that medical care in the United States is extremely expensive. If you’ve been injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, you’ll likely be facing a lot of medical bills coming your way the next few weeks.
It should be the other drivers’ insurance company who handles these costs. However, an insurance company might try to slip out of making these payments or pay you far less than you actually need or deserve.
The last thing you want is to be buried under medical fees due to no fault of your own. If you fear that you might find yourself in this situation, call an attorney right away.
A car accident lawyer will make sure you have the evidence in hand to prove the level of support you need from an insurance company. They’ll have the experience to analyze your situation and help you come to terms with the true level of compensation you’ll need to get back on your feet in the long-run.
An experienced car accident attorney has likely handled cases just like yours dozens of times in the past. This means they’ll be well-equipped to look into your case and quickly get you to the best possible outcome.
You Can’t Go To Work
What if you’ve been injured to a degree that you can’t return to your job? This is a frightening reality but it happens far more often we like to admit. That’s right — you need to be prepared.
If you can’t go back to work because of your injures, not only will you have medical bills to worry about but you’ll have no source of income to pay for them with. That can put you in an incredibly difficult situation.
Your earning capacity could be limited for years to come.
This is a serious, serious issue and it needs to be treated as such by you, the other driver, and that driver’s insurance company.
Determining how much compensation you’ll actually need to get over the hump of this lost employment can be difficult to impossible to do on your own. Bringing forward a car accident lawsuit might be your only choice.
You’ll need the help of an attorney to come to that number and to ensure that you get it once the legal process is through.
If A Driver Didn’t Have Insurance
What if one or more of the drivers involved in the accident did not have car insurance at the time of the accident? This can make your situation far more complicated. As such, you’ll certainly want the assistance of a lawyer and right away.
In most situations, the driver who failed to have insurance will need to pay for the accident out of pocket. There’s a chance that your own auto insurance has some form of protection against an accident involving an uninsured driver.
However, you’ll need an attorney on your side to work with both your insurance company and the other driver to ensure you get the compensation that you need one way or another. They will make sure you’re not left high and dry due to someone else’s failure to follow the law.
Hiring a Lawyer For a Car Accident
Car accidents are more common than we like to believe, but not every accident will call for an attorney’s help. The above information can help you decide upon when you need to hire a lawyer for a car accident. More often than not, this kind of assistance will be a major help.
Need more auto advice? Keep scrolling our blog for more information.
