When Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Many car accident victims wonder when they should hire a lawyer. Because of statutes of limitations, which put a hard deadline on your ability to sue for a car crash, it’s generally best to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.

The good thing is that most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your situation and give tailored advice. So, the immediate question is not whether you should hire an attorney but whether you should consult with one. Often, the initial consultation will give you greater clarity on whether you need to take the next step and hire a lawyer. Here are some reasons why car accident victims often choose to hire a lawyer to handle their case.

When the Case Is Complex or Liability Is Contested

Determining who caused your car accident can be a complex issue, depending on the facts of the case. This is a job for an attorney with proven experience in the field of car accidents.

Determining fault can be particularly challenging when more than two cars were involved in the collision. Weather conditions such as snow, rain, or sleet may have also factored into the crash, making it difficult to know who caused the accident. However, a skilled attorney can draw on their experience to work through these complex details.

When You Want To Be Sure Your Car Accident Claim Is Handled Correctly

If you have been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve expert legal representation. Unless you experienced a minor accident with no injuries, leaving settlement negotiations or a personal injury lawsuit to an experienced auto accident lawyer is best.

In addition to giving you legal advice, your car accident attorney will gather evidence and assess your claim. It may also ease your mind knowing that your attorney is handling the other party’s lawyers and insurance adjusters. Further, your attorney can file all necessary paperwork and track deadlines for you while you focus on other things.

When You Need Someone To Negotiate With Auto Insurance Providers or Medical Professionals

If you were involved in a minor fender bender and did not suffer injuries, you can probably deal with insurance claims yourself. However, if you were in a traffic accident that caused serious injuries or property damage, the assistance of a skilled attorney will be essential. They can evaluate the details of your crash, guide you through the insurance claims process, and argue for a reasonable car accident settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Adjusters will do their best to minimize your payout under the insurance policy. Your attorney can draw on their experience with insurance companies to argue for a reasonable settlement on your behalf. If you cannot reach a fair settlement, your attorney may even need to take your claim to trial.

Your attorney can also collect your medical records and bills to illustrate your car accident injuries and medical expenses. Requesting the documents from your healthcare providers can be a lengthy process. Although you have every right to your medical records, hospitals and doctor’s offices can be slow to comply. Your attorney’s law firm staff can take care of this hassle while you focus on your recovery.

When You Don’t Want the Hassle of Gathering Evidence

Gathering evidence to negotiate a fair settlement with insurance adjusters or to pursue legal action is time-intensive and complicated. It’s probably low on the list of things you want to be doing while recovering from car accident injuries. This is where a car accident attorney can take over. After establishing an attorney-client relationship, your attorney will begin investigating your accident:

• Medical bills: Your attorney and their law firm staff will gather records of your medical care and expenses to prove your car accident injuries and medical expenses.
• Physical evidence: Your attorney will likely visit the accident scene to review the physical evidence.
• Eye witness reports: Your attorney will probably want to interview any eyewitnesses to the accident. Their reports might help to corroborate your own.
• Police reports: Your lawyer can use the police report to determine who the at-fault driver was and continue their investigation.
• Photo and video footage: Your attorney can request photo or video footage of your crash. Visual documentation can help to show how the collision occurred and whose fault it was.

Find an Experienced Attorney for Your Car Accident Case

New potential clients can usually get a free consultation from personal injury lawyers. This free case evaluation is an essential step because it gives you an idea of the value of your claim and if you need a lawyer.

While a personal injury attorney can’t provide an exact dollar figure for your accident case, they can draw on their experience to give you a rough estimate. You can factor this into your decision of whether it’s worth suing the at-fault party. After establishing an attorney-client relationship, your attorney will go to work for your legal rights and fair compensation.

Visit the Super Lawyers directory to find an experienced car accident lawyer while evidence of the vehicle accident is still readily available.