what to fo when other party hires a lawyer auto

This is why you have automobile insurance. Let your insurance company handle it on your behalf. If the lady files a lawsuit, your insurance will hire attorneys to represent and defend you. Keep all of your notes and emails for use by your insurance company and attorneys.

Full Answer

Should I hire a lawyer after an auto accident?

If you have been in an auto accident, were at fault or negligent in causing the accident, and are being sued, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to defend you. Working with the attorney and your insurance company will protect you the most.

Should I hire an attorney to represent me in court?

Another advantage of hiring an attorney to represent you in court is that they can negotiate with the car insurance company for you. The car insurance companies often do not want to pay out any more for a claim than absolutely necessary.

What should I do if I’m sued for an auto accident?

If you are sued over an auto accident, there are some steps that you should take to protect yourself. Your first call when you are in an auto accident should be to your car insurance company. You will need to file a claim, especially if you are the at-fault or negligent party in the accident.

Should I represent myself in a car accident case?

Representing yourself has other disadvantages as well. You will be unlikely to settle out of court if you do not have an attorney. It is highly likely that if you are being sued over an auto accident the other party has an attorney.

Why do people seek legal representation for car accidents?

How to seek compensation for a car accident?

What happens if you are distracted while answering a phone?

Can a lawyer help you in a car accident?

Can you seek insurance for a car accident if you are uninsured?

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Bradford Charles Brereton

Report it to your insurance company asap, and do not respond to the other side at all. Let your own insurance company handle it, it is by the far the best approach, and it allows you peace of mind.

Arnold William Gross

This is why you have automobile insurance. Let your insurance company handle it on your behalf. If the lady files a lawsuit, your insurance will hire attorneys to represent and defend you. Keep all of your notes and emails for use by your insurance company and attorneys.

Andrew Y. Kim

You should just let your insurance handle the claim. No need to hire an attorney. One will be assigned to you of the other party and your insurance cannot reach a settlement and if a lawsuit is filed against you.

Rafael Carrillo

Do not disclose your policy limits yet. It sounds like this was a very minor accident and even the minimum insurance policy in California should be enough to cover this accident. Just let your insurance company handle this for you. If they file a lawsuit against you, your insurance company would hire a lawyer to defend you.

Brian Anthony Carness

One of the things that most people don't know is that your automobile insurance policy requires your insurance company to defend you against any claims arising from a covered automobile collision. You do not usually need to hire your own attorney. Send the documents to your insurance company.

Jeffrey Shawn Hughes

The simple way to handle this is to let your insurance company handle it. If they cannot get the claim resolved, and a lawsuit is filed, your insurance carrier will provide you with an attorney. Sounds like this will be resolved well before it gets to that point. Regards, Jeffrey Hughes

Richard Andrew Crites

You should immediately contact your insurance company and let it handle this claim. Refer the opposing attorney to your insurance company and follow its instructions. This will be the safest way to ensure that you are defended and indemnified by it.

Are you hurt?

The number one reason people hire an attorney after a car accident is personal injury. In one year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported 128,420 motor vehicle accidents; of these, over 60 percent involved injuries.

Was a loved one seriously injured or killed as a result of an accident?

It’s difficult to comprehend the sudden loss of a loved one. Accidents can take you by surprise and leave you searching for answers. But while you are trying to cope with your grief, you may be faced with the devastating reality of the financial costs you now face. Money can never bring back a loved one or lessen the pain you feel.

Is there a question of fault?

Sometimes fault is obvious; sometimes it is not. After an accident, it’s easy for drivers to throw around accusations. If there is any question regarding who’s at fault, you need to talk to a personal injury attorney. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state.

How many parties are involved?

Car accidents only involve you and the other driver, right? Not so much. Most of the time, personal injury cases will only involve the driver, but other parties may have contributed. For example:

Are you concerned about your legal rights?

Some people choose to handle a personal injury case on their own. That’s your choice, but understand the insurance company is not there to protect you. It is worried about its bottom line. This means that it will try to deny your claims, flip the blame on you, and get away with paying out as little as possible.

Are there extenuating circumstances?

Not all accidents are straightforward. Personal injury cases can be messy and complicated. Let’s take a look at a few circumstances that may impact the outcome of your case:

Are you required to hire an attorney after a car accident?

While technically you don’t have to have an attorney, practically, it’s a whole different story. You likely want an attorney to help you file a lawsuit and negotiate with the other party.

What happens if you don't have a lawyer for an auto accident?

If you don’t want to be pushed into a one-sided agreement, it will likely have to go to court if you don’t have a lawyer. Once in court, you will not be knowledgeable in the proceedings and the rules of the courtroom.

Why do you need an attorney for an auto accident?

If you have been in an auto accident, were at fault or negligent in causing the accident, and are being sued, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to defend you. Working with the attorney ...

What to do if someone is suing you for more than you pay?

If the other driver is suing you for more than the car insurance company wants to pay, your attorney can negotiate with them to get them to cover all of the damages. Often lawsuits over auto accidents can be settled out of court with an experienced attorney working with your car insurance company.

What to do when you are sued for an auto accident?

When you are sued over an auto accident, you should carefully consider hiring a lawyer to represent you in court. Attorneys that deal with auto accidents on a routine basis are much more familiar with the law and rights to compensation than you will be able to educate yourself on your own.

What to do when you are in an accident?

Talking to Your Insurance Company. Your first call when you are in an auto accident should be to your car insurance company. You will need to file a claim, especially if you are the at-fault or negligent party in the accident. Your car insurance is there to pay for damages and medical expenses of other drivers when you are at fault.

Why do car insurance companies have more pull?

An attorney often has more pull with the car insurance companies, because if they do not honor the policy to its full extent they know they will be held accountable if an attorney is involved. Representing yourself has other disadvantages as well. You will be unlikely to settle out of court if you do not have an attorney. ...

Do car insurance companies negotiate with you?

If you choose to represent yourself in court, you will likely wind up paying much more out of pocket. The car insurance companies are not as likely to negotiate with you as they might be with an attorney. They are also less likely to back you up if you were obviously negligent. An attorney often has more pull with the car insurance companies, because if they do not honor the policy to its full extent they know they will be held accountable if an attorney is involved.

What does an attorney do when you are injured?

The attorney can make sure you are medically treating appropriately for your injuries. Those who are injured and do not know how to “prove it” to the insurance company will get less. “Proving it” to the insurance company often requires medical records, examinations, and treatment.

How does having an attorney affect your injury?

Having an attorney also affects whether an injured person gets anything at all for their injuries. In the same study, 91% of those injured who hired an attorney received some compensation. Whereas only 51% of those injured who did not hire an attorney received some amount of compensation.

What are you entitled to in a car accident?

Once fault has been determined, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages. How much you are entitled to depends on the severity of the injuries, any short-term or permanent disabilities suffered, and any lost wages as a result of the car accident.

What are the components of a car accident claim?

There are three main components that affect the value of your car accident claim: 1) Whose fault was the accident; 2) How badly you are hurt; and. 3) the at-fault party’s insurance policy. As to fault, if liability is not clear, then the settlement offer will reflect that. For the best settlement, the other party needs to be 100% at-fault and ...

How to prove a claim to insurance?

The answer involves several factors: 1 The attorney can make sure you are medically treating appropriately for your injuries. Those who are injured and do not know how to “prove it” to the insurance company will get less. “Proving it” to the insurance company often requires medical records, examinations, and treatment. 2 The attorney knows how to properly present your claim to the insurance company. 3 The attorney can determine the policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy. 4 Lawyers negotiate for a living. Plus, the lawyer’s fee is contingent on the recovery, therefore he has incentive to negotiate as hard as possible, for the highest settlement.

Can an attorney tell if an insurance company is unreasonable?

There are many instances where the attorney can tell from the very first communication with the insurance company that there might be trouble with the claim because the insurance company is being unreasonable. In these cases, I often do not even bother further negotiation—I sue them.

Can a car accident attorney file a lawsuit?

The Power of Filing a Lawsuit. There is one last factor that can affect the value of your settlement: filing a lawsuit. Most car accident attorneys do not file lawsuits—and the insurance companies know this.

Why do people seek legal representation for car accidents?

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. You have the right to hire legal representation at any time throughout the process of making an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

How to seek compensation for a car accident?

Filing an Insurance Claim. When you experience a motor vehicle accident, the first step in seeking compensation is to file a claim with either your own insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company. In some states, comparative negligence laws apply, ...

What happens if you are distracted while answering a phone?

If the driver engaged in distracted driving while answering a phone or navigating on a GPS, this breach in their duty of care they owed you while on the road may have contributed to the accident. A lawyer can help investigate the cause of the accident and use evidence to demonstrate the fault of the other driver.

Can a lawyer help you in a car accident?

While obtaining a lawyer does not guarantee you a specific outcome for your case, they can help investigate the crash, gather evidence to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, and take care of negotiations with insurers on your behalf.

Can you seek insurance for a car accident if you are uninsured?

If the other driver’s policy cannot cover the costs of your losses, you may be able to seek them through your own policy if you carry uninsured motorist coverage. You can hire an attorney immediately after a car accident to help you assess your losses and explore the options available to you through your own insurance policy.

Why do people seek legal representation for car accidents?

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. You have the right to hire legal representation at any time throughout the process of making an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

How to seek compensation for a car accident?

Filing an Insurance Claim. When you experience a motor vehicle accident, the first step in seeking compensation is to file a claim with either your own insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company. In some states, comparative negligence laws apply, ...

What happens if you are distracted while answering a phone?

If the driver engaged in distracted driving while answering a phone or navigating on a GPS, this breach in their duty of care they owed you while on the road may have contributed to the accident. A lawyer can help investigate the cause of the accident and use evidence to demonstrate the fault of the other driver.

Can a lawyer help you in a car accident?

While obtaining a lawyer does not guarantee you a specific outcome for your case, they can help investigate the crash, gather evidence to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence, and take care of negotiations with insurers on your behalf.

Can you seek insurance for a car accident if you are uninsured?

If the other driver’s policy cannot cover the costs of your losses, you may be able to seek them through your own policy if you carry uninsured motorist coverage. You can hire an attorney immediately after a car accident to help you assess your losses and explore the options available to you through your own insurance policy.