The majority of car accidents are resolved between the involved parties and their insurance companies without having to bring in legal help. However, each year, many people hire personal injury lawyers to help them resolve their car accident claims. Sometimes, these claims even end up being disputed in court.
But how can you tell whether or not your car accident was serious enough to warrant seeking out the advice of a personal injury attorney? Well, there are a few things you should think about before you decide whether or not to contact a lawyer.
Have you suffered major losses as a result of the accident?
The first thing to consider is whether or not you actually suffered any major losses due to the car accident. If you were not hurt, and your car insurance covered your repairs, you don’t have any losses that cause you to need compensation to recover from the impact of the accident. On the other hand, if you’ve been badly hurt and had to pay tons of medical bills or been unable to work, you have suffered significant losses, and if the accident was not your fault, you deserve compensation. Another circumstance where a personal injury lawyer may be consulted is if you lost a loved one due to the accident. If someone in the car with you was killed due to the negligence of the other driver, you may have a case.
Has your insurance claim been unfairly denied?
Another reason you may need the help of a personal injury lawyer after a car accident is if your insurance adjuster is treating you unfairly. If you feel like your claim has been denied without a good reason, it can be hard for you to put up a fight alone. An experienced attorney will be able to help you challenge an unfair claim decision, since he or she knows all of the steps necessary to do so and will know all of the laws and regulations in your area.
Are you being charged with more fault for an accident than you feel is fair?
If you’ve been assigned a percentage of the fault for an accident, but you know that you were a victim of the other driver’s negligence, you need to speak to an attorney. An attorney can help you figure out how to prove the other driver’s negligence and may be able to help you get a fairer settlement.
These are just a few of the factors to think about before hiring a personal injury attorney after a car accident. Unlike other types of personal injury claims, such as worker’s compensation cases, the process of filing a claim after a car accident can vary greatly, depending on state laws. If you have any confusion about your rights, speak to an attorney before deciding if you want to pursue a claim. Most personal injury lawyers will offer a free consultation where your case will be evaluated, and you will be advised on the best course of action.
