when should a lawyer be contacted after a car accident

by Wade Heaney 8 min read

You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able after the car accident. You may be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company and should talk to an attorney before then. A personal injury lawyer can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. There is also often a statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

While that may seem like a lot of time, valuable evidence can be lost or destroyed in just a few weeks. That's why injured accident victims should call an attorney as soon as they are able, even if they're not certain they wish to file a lawsuit.

Full Answer

When to hire a lawyer after a car accident?

May 12, 2022 · Many car accident victims wonder when they should hire a lawyer. Due to the time-sensitive nature of car crash claims, the sooner you can contact an experienced car accident attorney, the better. Your state may place a time limit (a statute of limitations) on your ability to sue for a car crash. Further, certain insurance policies may require ...

Will my insurance company provide a car accident attorney for me?

(Get the basics on fault for a car accident .) An attorney will also be familiar with time limits (called statutes of limitations) that can bar you from filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident, or you'll lose the right to take the matter to court.

When should you sue after a car accident?

Oct 19, 2021 · Others feel that the answer to the question of when should you contact a lawyer after a car accident is to do it as soon as possible after an accident. The truth is that there is no standard time frame for contacting a lawyer after a car accident, and it’s perfectly acceptable to reach out to legal representation weeks, months, or even years after you’ve been involved in an …

Is it a risk to handle a car accident claim alone?

Jul 22, 2020 · You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able after the car accident. You may be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company and should talk to an attorney before then. A personal injury lawyer can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. There is also often a statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

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What to do if you are involved in an accident?

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.

Why do you need a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer can also help in the event an insurance company is acting in bad faith.

What to do if you are not sure of your rights?

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.

Can a personal injury lawyer file a claim?

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.

What happens if you don't follow the doctor's instructions?

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.

Does My Car Accident Case Require a Lawyer?

If your crash involved a minor fender bender, you might not need the assistance of a lawyer to file your claim. However, if you suffered bodily injuries and extensive damages, it is likely that your crash will have a lasting effect on your life for years to come.

When Is It Too Late to Contact a Lawyer Regarding a Car Accident?

In Texas, there is a statute of limitations for this type of claim. Under state law, you have two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. While this law deals with filing a lawsuit, not an insurance claim, we recommend you act before the statute of limitations runs out.

Who Is Responsible for My Compensation?

Texas is considered an at-fault state. This means that the driver responsible for the car accident is also responsible for any of the costs incurred. Every driver on the road is liable for any damages or costs that they cause.

What Costs Can I Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

A single car accident can result in significant economic and medical costs. We will help you fight for compensation for your:

What Type of Evidence Does a Lawyer Need to Prove My Case?

Whether or not you receive a settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance provider will depend on the amount of evidence we have. We will collect all of the relevant evidence available in your case, including:

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help With My Claim?

Our lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. We offer a variety of benefits to our clients.

How Can I Talk to a Lawyer Today?

Every car accident is different. The lawyers at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, will look at the specific details of your case and come up with a strong strategy to pursue you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 713-850-8600 to get started with your free consultation.

Not everyone who has participated in a car accident will need to ask for a car accident lawyer. However, if your accident has been serious and complicated, in that case, it might be necessary to hire an attorney after a car accident as soon as possible, so they can begin building your case. Read on to find out what a car accident lawyer can do for you

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina.

When should I hire an attorney after a car accident?

Hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you after a car accident means you will have professional help from a person who knows the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case. An attorney can advise you about filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

When There Is Dispute

It is only okay not to hire a lawyer when one of the parties involved in the accident assumes responsibility for it. But legal representation should be contacted when there is a dispute arising from the incident. When the circumstances of the accident are unclear, a lawyer can help piece together the evidence and present it before the authority.

If Insurance Is Involved

In a perfect world, both parties in an accident will talk it through and solve the issue by compensating the one who sustained injuries and whose vehicle has been badly damaged. But this isn’t a perfect world.

When the Statute of Limitations Is in Question

Each state has a different law on the statute of limitations for personal injury claims and liabilities from a traffic accident. Most states have a two-year limitation, while others have a longer time frame. You need to know your right as a person involved in the accident.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

The decisions you make at this crucial time can have a powerful impact on your insurance claim and potential personal injury case. It’s important to first seek needed help for yourself and others by engaging the police and emergency medical services.

Why Should I Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

Contacting a lawyer after a car accident may sometimes feel inconvenient or unnecessary, especially if your case seems black and white. But the at-fault party’s insurance provider will do its best to find the gray area and seek justification for denying or undervaluing your claim.

Do I Need to Commit to a Law Firm to Get Advice?

At FVF, we believe that people who have suffered physical and emotional distress due to a car accident deserve to understand their rights and options. That is why we offer free case evaluations with no pressure to hire us to represent you.

FVF

Fogelman & Von Flatern is a personal injury law firm that believes it matters why we practice law: to make sure good people in unfair circumstances who want reasonable options are taken seriously, especially by their attorney. We value transparency, compassion, and justice, and we strive to embody that in our practice.

Find out whether it would be worth hiring a car accident attorney to review your case

In many cases, you do not need to file a lawsuit after a car accident. If one driver was clearly at fault and nobody has been injured, it is likely that the at-fault insurance company will give compensation without the need to go to court. So, when do you need a lawyer after a car accident?

When Do You Need A Lawyer After A Car Accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and the other driver decides to sue you, you will need a lawyer to defend you.

When Don't You Need A Lawyer After A Car Accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and nobody is suing you, there is no reason to hire a lawyer.

Conclusion: Do You 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.

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