when do you need to get a personal injury lawyer for a car accident

by Chelsea Miller 7 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.

The Car Accident Caused Serious Injury or Death

If anyone was seriously injured or killed in the car accident, contact an experienced accident lawyer right away. Accidents involving serious bodil...

You Can’t Work Because Of Your Injuries And Need Ongoing Care

If you were hurt so badly that you can’t return to work after a car accident, a lawyer can make sure that you maximize the compensation you receive...

Multiple Parties Were Involved in the Accident

If you were in an accident involving three or more vehicles, this can complicate the insurance claim settlement and negotiation process and lead to...

An Uninsured Motorist Was Involved in the Accident

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...

You Need to Collect Evidence About the 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...

You Have Upcoming Settlement Talks

Most car accident lawsuits settle before going to trial, which means that you’ll probably receive a settlement offer from the at-fault driver or hi...

Time Has Passed Since the Accident

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 year...

What should a client tell his lawyer in a personal injury matter?

An important question that a client must tell his lawyer in a personal injury matter is what his goals are. A client’s goal in a certain legal matter might be quite different than what can be achieved through the litigation process. You should let your attorney know

Should I go to the doctor after an auto accident?

Your goal should be to get the best medical care possible for your injuries. In doing so you should collect as much information on your medical conditions as possible. And don’t be hesitant to seek medical attention . It is important to do avoid going to the doctor if you are suffering from pain following an auto accident. If an Insurance company has denied any of your medical bills or has attempted to deny liability contact a trusted Personal Injury Lawyer.

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 an accident?

If you suffered serious injuries in your accident, you should contact an attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Severe injuries often leave the victims of those accidents with substantial medical bills, extended medical treatments, and in many cases, no or reduced income to help pay for those bills.

What does an attorney do in an accident with a truck driver?

In the case of an accident with a commercial truck driver, for example, an attorney might get access to the trucker’s logbook, which will show how long the truck driver spent behind the wheel before the accident.

What to do if time has passed since accident?

If time has passed since your accident, especially if you have not communicated with the insurance company or liable party at all, immediately consult a personal injury attorney to ensure your claim is still valid.

Why does my insurance company deny my claim?

The insurance company may deny the claim for one of several reasons. The insurance company believes that the party they cover did not cause the accident. The insurance company may attempt to claim that you caused the accident, or may try to establish that another party bears liability for the accident.

What to do before accepting a settlement offer from insurance company?

Before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company or the liable party in your accident, contact a personal injury attorney. Many will offer a free consultation that will give you a better idea of how much compensation you should expect, and how you should react to the terms offered in a given settlement.

What do insurance companies want to know about an accident?

The insurance company will often want to know more about how those injuries affect your life, both immediately after the accident and in terms of your long-term prognosis.

Why do you need an attorney for a spinal cord injury?

Any time you suffer serious injuries in an accident, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or amputation, working with an attorney is invaluable for seeking the compensation you deserve, as well as giving you a better understanding of the claims process and how much compensation you might expect.

What does "let bygones be bygones" mean?

A fender bender accident occurs, the drivers get out, calmly speak to each other, wave goodbye, and go on their way. If you weren’t injured in the accident or had little to no property damage, this is a reasonably easy attitude to take. You may even take on that attitude if you have minor injuries. However, if your injuries are substantial and causing you ongoing problems, you need to take a different attitude, or you will be left covering the expenses on your own. If you genuinely believe that the accident and damages are no big deal, don’t waste your time or an attorney’s time seeking compensation from the at-fault driver.

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault? If the car accident was your fault, you likely do not need a personal injury attorney. If you caused the accident and suffered injuries, your claim will not be against anyone else. In this case, your insurance company is responsible for providing you with an attorney and defending you. You will not be charged for this service as it is a benefit of carrying insurance. However, it is common for your carrier to raise your rates after a claim.

How to find a lawyer?

One good way to find a lawyer is to ask friends, acquaintances, or other lawyers for referrals -- and then interview the candidates. In addition, Nolo provides a personalized Lawyer Directory with information about each lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law. By using Nolo's directory you can narrow down candidates before calling them for a phone or face-to-face interview. For more details on locating and selecting a good personal injury lawyer, read Nolo's article on Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer.

How is accident compensation determined?

The amount of your accident compensation is mostly determined by how severe your injuries were. And the severity of your injuries is measured by the amount of your medical bills, the type of injuries you have, and the length of time it takes for you to recover.

What is medical malpractice?

Medical Malpractice. If you have suffered an injury or illness due to careless, unprofessional, or incompetent treatment at the hands of a doctor, nurse, hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other medical provider, both the medical questions and the legal rules involved are complex. They almost certainly require that you hire a lawyer experienced in ...

Do you have to give consent to a lawyer to text you?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

Why should I hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

The phrase “peace of mind” means different things depending on your concerns. There are at least 4 reasons why you should consider hiring an experienced car accident attorney, and why doing so should bring you peace of mind.

Contact CCK for a FREE consultation

The experienced personal injury lawyers of Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick have years of experience helping car accident victims recover money for their injuries. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, CCK has a nationwide practice fighting for the rights of the injured and disabled.

image