do you need a lawyer when in an auto accident

by Prof. Donavon Greenfelder Sr. 8 min read

There is no law mandating that you must hire an attorney when seeking compensation after a car accident. Some victims of car accidents choose to seek legal counsel and representation so that they can focus on their health and recovery while also pursuing legal action.

When to get an attorney for a car accident?

May 05, 2020 · Personal injury lawyers are generally needed when filing a lawsuit involving a car accident. A qualified lawyer can help review the evidence to determine who is at fault and what types of damages are available. Typical damages in a car accident claim usually cover expenses such as medical bills, property repairs, and in some cases, legal fees.

What is the best car accident lawyer?

Apr 19, 2022 · Do you know if you need a lawyer after a car crash? This article discusses when you need legal support and the benefits of hiring an attorney. Available 24/7. 770-HELP-NOW. Free Case Review. About Us. Our Firm. Attorneys. Michael Weinstein. Harris Weinstein. Giving Back. Testimonials. Results. Areas We Serve. Auto Accidents.

How much will a car accident lawyer cost you?

In cases where you don’t have car insurance and were involved in a car accident, you may need the services of an attorney. This is especially true if there were injuries sustained in the accident, or you were cited at the wreck as being at fault. A lawyer can work with you to assess your case and determine your legal options.

How to find the right car accident attorney for You?

If there's a lot at stake and neither side is ready or willing to accept liability for the accident, hiring a lawyer may be necessary. The Car Insurance Company Is Hassling You. You could encounter a car insurance company that's not easy to deal with or that even acts in bad faith. This could involve anything from asking you to jump through a number of hoops before you get your …

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What are the causes of car accidents?

There are many different causes of car accidents. Some of these may include: 1 Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) 2 Drunk driving 3 Bad weather and driving conditions 4 Mechanical failure of car or car parts 5 Disobeying traffic laws 6 Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.)

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.) Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries.

Can you be held liable for an auto accident?

Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries. Proving fault in an auto accident claim can often be difficult and may require the assistance of a legal professional.

What are the rules for insurance?

If the following is true of an accident, it is unlikely that the insurance company will lowball you: 1 There was only property damage, and nobody was hurt or killed. 2 You suffered minor or no physical injuries. 3 The settlement you deserve is relatively small.

Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?

You are not legally obligated to hire a lawyer after a car accident. The only reason you need a lawyer after a car accident is if you are being sued or decide to sue the other driver.

What to do if you have a car accident?

Even if you didn’t cause your car accident, you may still need a lawyer to protect your rights and help you get the best result. 1 the accident caused significant injury or vehicle damage 2 fault is in dispute 3 the insurance company is digging in for a fight, and 4 the fault rules in your state make things a bit more complicated.

What happens if you have a car accident with another driver?

You might have no doubts that the other driver caused the accident, but if you and the other driver have different stories, it might result in an ongoing investigation by each insurance company. And if enough money is at stake, your car accident may result in litigation. If there's a lot at stake and neither side is ready or willing to accept liability for the accident, hiring a lawyer may be necessary.

How much can a plaintiff recover from comparative negligence?

If a plaintiff has $100,000 in damages, but is 45% at fault, they can still recover $55,000. Modified comparative negligence: The ability to recover depends on ...

What happens if you make a claim to cover all your losses?

If you try to make a sizable (but justified) claim to cover all your losses, there's a good chance the at-fault driver's insurance company will either dispute liability or deny that your losses are as extensive as you claim. And if the other driver has extensive damages, they may try to point the finger at you, ...

Do you need an attorney for a car accident?

If you're in a modified comparative or contributory negligence state, you might need an attorney to make sure you're getting the best result. Learn more about how an attorney can help in a car accident case ...

Can you handle a car accident on your own?

By Curtis Lee. In some situations, it might make sense to try to handle a car accident claim on your own. But even when you're not at fault for the accident, several factors make it more likely that you'll want an attorney's help to ensure the best outcome. These include:

Is the car insurance company hassling you?

The Car Insurance Company Is Hassling You. You could encounter a car insurance company that's not easy to deal with or that even acts in bad faith. This could involve anything from asking you to jump through a number of hoops before you get your settlement check, to unreasonably delaying a decision on the accident or the sending of a check. ...

What does a car accident lawyer do?

A car accident lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve and keep your liability to the other parties as low as possible. An attorney can also help communicate with the lawyers for the other parties and their insurance companies. Return to top ↑.

What to do if you are injured in a car accident?

You may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recoup the cost of the medical treatment for your injuries.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Texas?

In Texas, you are required to file a lawsuit after an accident before a deadline known as the statute of limitations has passed (typically two years from the date of the accident). If a lot of time has passed since your accident, you should talk to a car accident lawyer right away to make sure you haven’t missed this deadline.

What to do if you don't have insurance in Texas?

If one or more of the parties involved did not have insurance at the time of the car accident, you should search for a car accident attorney right away. Texas law requires people who drive in the state to pay for the accidents they cause.

What happens if you are hurt in a car accident?

Some people are injured so severely in car accidents that their earning capacity is impacted for life.

What to do if you have an accident?

If your accident resulted in substantial injuries that have had a significant impact on your life, it’s especially essential to contact an attorney. By engaging with a qualified attorney you give yourself the best possible chance to receive maximum compensation.

What do you need to know about a car accident?

If you were hurt in a car accident, you may need a lawyer to help you collect and analyze evidence that establishes who was at fault and what your injuries are worth. For example, most newer vehicles are equipped with a piece of recording technology known as a “black box” that records critical information during a car accident.

1. Serious Injury

Even if your car accident occurred several months ago, you should still talk to a lawyer if you’ve been injured. In general, you should report your car accident within 24 hours.

2. Unable to Work

Auto accident injury lawyers can also help you file a claim for workers’ compensation. You’ll need to provide proof that you were unable to work and you may have to get a notarized document from your job.

3. Problems With Police Report

The best thing about hiring a car accident defense attorney is that they can help correct police reports. If you review the information and realize that the other motorist is lying, you should contact an attorney right away.

4. Issues With the Insurance Company

Insurance companies will always try to “lowball” you after an accident. They are always looking to save money and can be reluctant to settle claims.

How much money do you need to settle a lawsuit without counsel?

For example, if you're expecting a $100,000 settlement without the benefit of counsel, a lawyer would need to get you more than $150,000 to make it worth the bother. Believe it or not, most attorneys give honest opinions on whether or not it would be worth your while to hire an attorney or take any easy settlement.

Do you have to have counsel in small claims court?

You're certainly entitled to have counsel present to protect your rights in small claims court . The law firm, however, is likely going to expect a fee for their services rather than working on contingency, since the expected recovery would be very small. It depends on the situation.

Can you file a personal injury claim if you have no injuries?

Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.

Do insurance companies do their jobs?

In a lot of instances, insurance companies do in fact do their jobs as expected. There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill. Let's take a look at some of the cases where you may NOT need to hire an attorney after an accident.

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