when to get a lawyer for an auto accident

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident

1. 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.
2. You Can’t Work Because Of Your Injuries And Need Ongoing Care. ...
3. Multiple Parties Were Involved in the Accident. ...
4. An Uninsured Motorist Was Involved in the Accident. ...

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Full Answer

When you should hire a car accident lawyer?

You should hire a car accident lawyer for times when you have to negotiate with the insurance company and fight back against the insurance trying to pin the blame on you. Even if you were not hospitalized, you may claim any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident and get compensation for any emotional distress.

Should I contact an attorney for a car accident?

• Depending on the nature of your accident, you may be entitled to various types of insurance claims.
• Initial consultation with most lawyers is free, hence no risk of commitment.
• Insurance companies never have your best interests at heart.
• Time is of the essence.

Do I really need a car accident attorney?

In short, it’s important to have a lawyer if your car accident is in any way complex. These are the types of complex accidents where you should hire a lawyer: The other driver was drunk, on drugs, or distracted by texting/phone use. Injuries involve broken bones or fractures. Your medical bills are more than $5,000.

When to hire a lawyer for a car accident?

• Funeral expenses: Based on the kind of burial or services you prefer; funeral costs can cost you thousands of dollars.
• Medical expenses: The cost of hospitalization, surgeries and medicines can be mind-boggling.
• Loss of companionship: Losing a loved one to a car accident can wreak havoc to your personal life. ...

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What happens if you don't have insurance in an accident?

Insurance Issues. If any auto involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance, the insurer suggests you didn’t pay your premium or your insurance limits are too low, a law firm can help.

Why do insurance companies need an attorney?

An attorney can help increase the value of any claim substantially. Insurance companies know that they will face much higher charges the moment one of their clients hire a lawyer, so they will remain persistent and try to secure a settlement.

What are some examples of insignificant accidents?

An example of an accident that’s insignificant is when two vehicles back into each other, at very low speeds, in a parking lot. The damage is very minimal in these cases. No one is injured. Sometimes, there’s no damage at all. In this case, you can go through your insurance company and opt not to get a lawyer.

What are additional parties involved in a car accident?

Additional Parties. When additional parties are involved, you’ll need to contact an attorney. These parties can include other automobiles and even pedestrians.

Do you have to provide a written statement to your insurance company?

Don’t provide a written or recorded statement to your insurer until you fully understand your policy.

Can you contact an auto accident attorney?

If you make the mistakes above, you can still contact an auto accident attorney and discuss your options. There are a lot of attorneys that will provide a free consultation for your case. The consultation is used to determine if you have a case.

Why is having a lawyer important?

In contrast to the example above, there are also circumstances where having a lawyer is important. These are circumstances where they could negotiate you a much higher settlement, or where they could help counter insurance company tactics designed to keep you from getting paid.

What does it mean when an insurance company says you didn't report your injury?

This tactic takes many forms. Often the insurance company will say you didn’t report your injury soon enough or made it “worse” by not seeking treatment. This is their way of saying they won’t pay for all of it. You need representation.

Do insurance companies take your injury seriously?

The insurance company doesn’t seem to take your injury as seriously as you do. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their job is to pay the least amount possible. Once they put a dollar amount on your diagnosis, they don’t really care whether the treatment worked or not. Get someone on your side who is there to represent your interests, and force them to take you seriously.

Can you give a recorded statement to an insurance company?

No one should ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even their own insurance company, without consulting an attorney first.

Is it worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer?

Even with a “minor” injury, it’s still worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer before you make any decisions in your case. And if the same minor injury required physical therapy, a specialist, an epidural, or other special treatment, it could be worth thousands more and a lawyer could make a big difference for you.

Is a broken bone considered serious?

Your injury is serious. The more serious your injury, the more money is at stake and the more the insurance company will try to lowball you. A “serious” injury does not necessarily mean surgery or hospitalization. A broken bone, a joint injury that requires injections or long-term treatment, and anything that causes severe pain are all serious injuries.

What can an experienced car accident lawyer do?

An experienced car accident lawyer can help to level the playing field in your dealings with insurance companies.

How do car accident lawyers work?

They will also explain how they can help you and how they are paid. The majority of car accident lawyers are paid on a contingency, or “no-win-no-fee,” basis. This means that their fees will be paid out of any compensation or settlement that you receive.

How long does it take to file a car accident claim in Delaware?

Often the relevant deadline is for personal injury claims, which in the State of Delaware is 2 years, typically running from the date of the accident. However, the deadline can be different in other states, other types of claim, ...

What is the key to a successful car accident claim?

Knowing the law is key to a successful claim. Apart from the core issues of proving who is at fault in a car accident and the extent of damage or injuries, there are other legal issues that will affect your case and compensation.

What happens if you don't have a strong legal claim?

If you do not have a strong legal claim in a car accident case, you are in a weaker negotiating position, and the insurance company knows it. Knowing the law is key to a successful claim.

What happens if you have any injuries, expenses, or damage?

If you have any injuries, expenses, or damage, you may be entitled to compensation.

Why is timing important in a car accident?

Timing is important in a car accident case. After you have been in a car accident, there are a lot of unexpected things to take care of and you may also be dealing with physical injuries and emotional distress. It can take time for you to recover and deal with the necessary phone-calls and paperwork.

What does a car accident attorney do?

With a car accident injury attorney on your side, you have a legal advocate looking out for your best interests. Combating the insurance company and fighting to protect your rights is what car accident attorneys do. The right car accident injury lawyer will also be able to offer you additional support and legal services.

Why is it important to work with a lawyer in a car accident?

Working with a lawyer who has these resources at their disposal is important because it may increase your chances of reaching a suitable outcome.

What does it mean when a car accident victim pays out of pocket?

Ultimately, what that means for the crash victim is that they end up paying out of pocket for their medical expenses. With a trusted and aggressive car accident injury attorney, they take over the settlement negotiations. When an insurance company sees you have hired a lawyer, they start to take you seriously and that can sometimes be enough to get them to offer a more fair and reasonable settlement.

What is the right lawyer for you?

You deserve a lawyer at your side who has experience helping car accident injury victims get maximum compensation. But you also need a compassionate lawyer who understands exactly what you’re going through. You need to trust your attorney with a great deal of responsibility and you need to feel comfortable with them.

What happens if you get cut and dry after a car accident?

If it’s clear that the other driver caused the accident and your car has suffered damages , the insurance company may simply agree to reimburse you the costs you paid to get your car fixed.

What can a lawyer do to help you in an accident?

Your lawyer will also want to speak with any witnesses to your accident. Witnesses can often provide unique perspectives about the seconds leading up to your crash. Often, these witness statements can help show that the other driver caused your accident.

Who is responsible for a car accident lawsuit?

When you get into a car accident and need to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver, that person’s insurance company will be the one representing them in your lawsuit. The insurance company would be the one to pay out your claim; and, insurance companies have money.