If you have been in a car accident, you may wonder if you even need to hire an auto accident attorney. Many accidents are minor and can be resolved directly between those involved, or through their insurance providers. In very simple cases or those that involve no injuries or lower damages, it may be faster and more straightforward to resolve the case without the help of personal injury attorneys. However, even accidents that first appear minor can later prove to be extremely complicated, for example if injuries take a while to manifest symptoms or the other party to the accident fails to pay agreed-upon compensation.
Certain situations and serious accidents absolutely warrant hiring a car accident lawyer. Specifically, if the car crash caused serious or permanent injuries, impacting your ability to work, or live life to the fullest, you should immediately contact a car accident attorney. Similarly, if there is a problem with either party’s insurance, you should hire an experienced car accident lawyer.
Issues can include:
Disputes about who was at fault for the accident.
The other party or their insurance carrier is refusing to pay for damages related to the accident.
The other party to the accident is a government entity, which changes how and when you can file a personal injury lawsuit.
Questions You Should Ask a Car Accident Lawyer Before Hiring Them:
Have you handled cases like mine?
If I lose, will I be responsible for costs?
What are your fees?
What staffing and financial resources do you have to fight my case?
How long have you been handling car accident cases?
About how long will it take to resolve my lawsuit?
What can be done to improve the chances of a successful outcome?
What to Do After an Accident
Get to an area of safety and call 911 to report the accident to the proper authorities.
Cooperate with the attending officer and provide your version of the facts as best you can.
Gather witness information and take pictures of the involved cars and scene if you are able to.
Seek or demand immediate medical attention for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Engage the services of a powerhouse law firm to handle all aspects of your auto accident case.
What Should I Not Do?
Do not admit fault or any wrongdoing. Note that apologizing can be seen as an admission of fault.
Do not guess or assume facts when providing information to an attending officer.
Do not wait to seek medical treatment.
Do not give any statements to ANY insurance representative (including your own).
Do not accept any settlement offers or settlement agreements without consulting with a car accident lawyer.
What Types of Compensation am I Entitled to?
Medical expenses. You are entitled to compensation for medical expenses related to your injury, either through your own insurance company or that of the other party(s) to the accident, depending on who is at fault. Medical expenses can include, among others:
Property damage. If the other party to the accident is at fault, you are entitled to compensation for damage to your property—in most cases, the cost of repairing or replacing your car.
Pain and suffering. Also known as ‘non-economic damages,’ pain and suffering are damages related to the emotional impact of the accident on your life. Under the guidance of an experience car accident lawyer, these more difficult to quantify damages can account for a sizeable portion of accident compensation.
Lost wages. If your injuries have impacted your ability to work, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages.
Causes of car accidents include:
Speeding
Distracted driving (texting, eating, talking on phone, and other dangerous distractions)
Drowsy, fatigued, or sleepy driving
Impaired driving (drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
Reckless driving
Tailgating
Ignoring traffic signals, road signage, and stop signs
Vehicle defects or vehicle recalls
Roadway design, repair, or maintenance issues
Teenage or inexperienced driver
Weather
Construction zones
AI-Assisted Content Disclaimer
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by a human for accuracy and clarity.