how do i determine if i need a lawyer for an accident

Sometimes the severity of your crash is a good indicator that you need an attorney to represent your interests, but sometimes it’s simply a fender bender and you may not think that you need the assistance of a lawyer. But the truth is, it’s always a good idea to discuss your case with an experienced car accident attorney.

Full Answer

Do I need an attorney for a car accident claim?

You may or may not need an attorney depending on the severity of the damages specific to your case. As a general rule, if you suffered no personal injuries, you should be able to settle your case with the opposing insurance adjuster for approximately the same amount of money that an attorney could obtain for you.

How can I prove the other driver's negligence?

So when you find yourself in such a situation, an attorney is all you need to prove the other driver's negligence. This attorney collects information regarding the accident, interviews witnesses whenever necessary, and builds a strong case against the other driver.

Should I hire an attorney for a personal injury claim?

Enjuris tip: If no one was hurt or there was no damage, it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim with an attorney.

How hard is it to prove a personal injury claim?

This is a very strict standard and hard to prove. Most injury and accident law firms offer free initial consultations, so feel free to ask around and get some advice before going forward with your claim.

What Situations Do You Need a Lawyer For?

A general rule of thumb is that if you have a legal problem, it is at least worth researching legal information online and then talking to an attorney about your issue.

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer will assess your legal issue and can tell you at the outset whether it is worth your while to obtain legal assistance and/or pursue legal action.

How to resolve a minor legal dispute?

You may be able to resolve a minor legal dispute by writing letters or negotiating informally, or in a "small claims" court if the dispute has a value less than or equal to a certain amount (perhaps $5,000). Be sure to check with your local court for applicable "small claims" limits.

Can a lawyer help you with a car accident?

Lawyers can help with legal problems after they come up -- after a car accident, for example -- but in other instances, consulting a lawyer before a legal issue arises can help you anticipate and prevent serious legal problems. Some common situations where assistance from a lawyer may be necessary include:

How to hire a car accident lawyer?

Before anything else, let’s look at the role of a car accident lawyer. While you go through this stressful period in your life, a lawyer should bring a sense of calm and organization. They’ll understand the laws surrounding car accidents and will know whether you have a case. As you recover, the right lawyer will do the following: 1 Gather evidence 2 Collate all paperwork 3 Negotiate with insurance companies 4 Reconstruct the accident 5 Talk with eyewitnesses 6 Contact expert testimonies

What Causes Car Accidents in Florida?

According to the FHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles), over 400,000 accidents took place in the state in 2018. At such a huge number, you might wonder why this is the case. What causes car accidents? Let’s take a look!

How much do lawyers need to improve their recovery?

If a lawyer takes one-third of your recovery, then they'll need to improve your expectedresults by more than 50% to justify hiring them.

What to do if insurance company is not playing nice?

If the insurance company is not playing nice or refusing to acknowledge the full extent of your claim, you would definitely want to talk to an attorney.

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.

Do attorneys take on smaller claims?

Don't doubt there are attorneys who'll take on smaller claims in exchange for a higher percentage of the recovery.

Do injury lawyers offer free consultations?

Most injury and accident law firms offer free initial consultations, so feel free to ask around and get some advice before going forward with your claim .

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 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.

Fault matters in an accident

The police usually decide who caused an accident. Insurance companies use the police report to decide who gets payment. If you're careless, break traffic laws or drive dangerously, you could be blamed for an accident.

How to know when to sue

If you don't know whether to sue the other driver after a car accident, you probably should, especially if you were hurt in the accident.

It's best to hire a lawyer

Some people worry that they can't afford a lawyer, especially after an accident. But a good lawyer only asks for payment if you win.