when should you contact a lawyer after a car accident

When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

• Damage to Your Vehicle. ...
• Personal Injury. ...
• Property Damage. ...
• Disputed Liability. ...
• Hit and Run Accidents. ...
• Uninsured Drivers. ...
• Disputes between Insurance Companies. ...
• Property Damage that Occurred at an Unsafe Place. ...
• Property Damage that Occurred on Someone’s Home. ...
• Property Damage that Occurred on Private Roadways. ...

Full Answer

When to hire a lawyer after a car accident?

When to Lawyer Up After a Car Accident. Usually, car accidents involving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome. An automobile accident brings with it a host of questions.

What does a car accident attorney do?

A car accident attorney is a personal injury attorney who specializes in motor vehicle accidents. Whether you will need a car accident attorney will depend on the type of accident you experienced. If you were involved in a minor fender bender and did not suffer injuries, you can probably deal with insurance claims yourself.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?

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. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations—for minors, for example.

How long do car accident injuries take to show up?

Keep in mind that some car accident injuries may only display symptoms days or even weeks after an accident. For example, whiplash may take several days to manifest, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

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.

What to do if your injuries are not obvious?

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.

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.

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.

What information do you need to write down when you are in an accident?

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.

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.

How can an attorney help you in a car accident?

Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.

What does it mean to hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations -- for minors, for example.

Can an attorney file a lawsuit?

Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how best to mitigate any possible defenses raised by the other side. In addition, once your case gets under way, your lawyer will play an invaluable role in preparing your case for trial -- and even going to trial if your case doesn't settle.

Do you need an attorney for a car accident?

Usually, car accidents in volving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome.

Can an attorney do a car accident settlement?

After you have been in a car accident, taking on this time-consuming work may be the last thing you want to do, assuming you're able. An attorney can do it all for you.

Do I Need an Attorney After an Accident in SC?

If you were in a motorcycle accident, semi-truck or truck accident, or another type of vehicular accident, you could need a lawyer to represent you if you sustained an injury related to the accident.

Who Pays for My Medical Bills After an Accident?

Often, the at-fault driver is responsible to cover the costs of your medical expenses and the cost of your property damage (although different states have different laws). You will need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and/or your insurance company.

Some Benefits of Having an Attorney

Wondering when to contact an attorney after a car accident? Definitely contact a lawyer to help you if you need any of these benefits to having an attorney on your side.

Looking for an Attorney for a Personal Injury Case in South Carolina?

We are personal injury attorneys in the Columbia, SC area who have experience in helping injured people recover compensation for their injuries.

What Should You Do After the Accident?

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.

What are the Benefits?

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.

What happens if you don't have insurance?

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.

Do insurance companies know who is responsible for an accident?

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.

Can you hire a lawyer for car insurance?

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.