Any delay in contacting a lawyer can have a detrimental effect on your personal injury case, so you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. To schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident lawyer, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 or contact us online.
To schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident lawyer, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 or contact us online. accident? Contact Page Law 24/7
If you are like most accident victims, you have never gone through this process before. Getting into a motor vehicle accident is something we all try to avoid. You likely have many questions about what to do next, including how long you should wait to contact a lawyer.
You may be in complete shock after being involved in a car crash, but try to calm yourself down and think clearly. Your first priority should be calling the authorities and seeking medical treatment for your injuries.
Some people aren’t sure whether they are in need of an attorney after a crash. How can you tell when your case warrants an attorney? If the crash involved any type of serious injury that required a trip to a doctor, you should consult with an attorney about your legal options. Attorneys can also help in cases involving fatalities.
It’s recommended you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the crash. Why? The at-fault party will immediately notify his insurance company, who will then try to get in touch with you to discuss what happened. You should never give a statement to an insurance company without first contacting an attorney.
For instance, if you were hurt in a car mishap, the claim would generally protest the other chauffeur’s insurer and not the other motorist. After you have filed the claim with your lawyer’s aid, an insurance coverage adjuster will be appointed to your case.
But, you will still need to be prepared to submit a lawsuit in case you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company.
It is very important that you let your lawyer manage the negotiations with the insurance adjuster. Insurers do not have your best interests in mind , but your attorney does. He will aggressively work out in your place to make sure that you do decline an unfair settlement.
If the accident you were involved in caused any severe injury that required you to go to a doctor, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer about your legal options. Attorneys can also help in accidents that result in fatalities.
Even if your injuries do not seem serious, it is best to have them checked by a doctor in case you have an injury that does not seem obvious. Ensure that you keep any documentation related to your injuries as proof of any expenses accrued as a result of the accident.
A personal injury lawyer can also help in the event an insurance company is acting in bad faith.
If you need an expert to review anything legal you may be confused about in general. If you generally want to seek advice in settling a claim, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the settlement.
If you do not follow the doctor’s instructions, an insurance company can argue that your injuries were not as severe as you claimed them to be.
You should make sure to write down the other driver’s name, license number, insurance information, and contact information. You should give the other driver your information for their needs too. You can also exchange information with anyone who was a witness to the accident.
There is also often a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that you will not be able to file a claim to receive compensation for your injuries or loss after a certain period.
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. Injuries may quickly derail your whole life and can result in lifelong and permanent disabilities. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced and reputable lawyer on your side from the very beginning. With the help of a lawyer, getting the fair compensation and justice you deserve is not impossible.
You may also seek the advice of a lawyer if you are not sure if the insurer is acting in good faith, stuck in the negotiations, confused about the policies, not sure of the rights, and there is a problem with the accident’s fault.
In most states, driving without insurance is a crime, and it opens you up to a very long list of liabilities that you will not want to deal with on your own. You can click here to learn more about the penalty for driving without insurance in your state.
This may be less obvious, but insurance companies need to know who was responsible for an accident before they dish out any compensation for damages and repairs. If you live in a “no fault” state, such as Florida for example, then each driver’s insurance company is going to cover their individual costs, not the other driver (s). In this case, if the damage is small and follow-up medical bills are very low, you might not need a lawyer, even if it isn’t clear who is at fault.
It’s understandable to be wary about hiring a lawyer, but almost anywhere you find yourself in the US, liability law can be very complex. Even if you don’t end up going to court, just having a lawyer handle the negotiations with the car insurance company on your behalf will almost always work to your advantage.
First things first. Don’t panic. The accident itself was terrifying and it’s understandable if you’re still shaken up. However, it’s important to stay alert. There are critical details that you want to make note of and steps that you should take.
There are almost no drawbacks to calling a lawyer. The worst that could happen is the firm decides not to take your case. You’ve wasted a bit of time but your life won’t be severely impacted.