when to get a lawyer involved for a major collision car accident

You should get an attorney after a car accident if it resulted in serious personal injury or wrongful death. It’s also critically important to remember that some serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, are not always immediately apparent at the crash scene.

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Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?

Mar 09, 2018 · When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident. If you are involved in an accident that only results in minor property damage and does not cause any injuries, it is likely unnecessary for you to hire a car accident lawyer. These small claims can often be easily settled by filing a property damage claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

How does a car accident lawyer get paid?

Perhaps the most important role a car accident attorney plays is that of advocate. This means acting on your behalf and with your best interests in mind at every stage of the claim process. Whether it's dealing with a car insurance company or presenting your case to a judge or jury, your attorney will be your champion, making sure your side of the story is heard and that you are …

What happens if the other driver who caused an accident?

May 21, 2021 · The short answer is if you are asking this question, you need to talk to a lawyer. If you have any injuries, expenses, or damage, you may be entitled to compensation. Most lawyers will give you a ...

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

It’s true that not every motor vehicle crash requires you to run out and hire legal representation. However, there are many situations where an advocate can help by answering your questions and providing guidance. In some cases, especially when you need to file a property damage or injury claim, you’ll find that retaining a California car accident attorney can take the legal burden off …

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.

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?

It is not unusual for an insurance adjuster to tell a car accident victim that they do not even need an attorney, as part of their strategy to reduce the compensation that the insurance company will have to pay. The losses that can result from a car accident are not always clear in the days and weeks immediately after the accident.

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.

What to do after a car accident?

After a car accident, always remember: 1 If you have any injuries, expenses, or damage, you may be entitled to compensation. 2 Most lawyers will give you a first consultation without any risk or commitment. 3 Insurance companies are not on your side. 4 You should not delay.

What happens if you get injured in a car accident?

If you have been injured or incurred property damage in a car accident, you may have significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. In many cases, these expenses continue long after the accident.

Is it bad to talk to a lawyer?

There are no drawbacks to talking to a lawyer. Any good lawyer will offer you a free initial consultation, either on the phone or in person, to discuss your case. They will listen to your story and advise you whether or not you might benefit from having a lawyer to represent you.

What happens when you file a car accident claim?

When you file a claim in a car accident case, you are not opposing an individual driver but instead a large insurance company that handles such claims on a daily basis. Some people who have been involved in an accident are concerned about causing distress or expense to the other driver, even if that driver caused the accident.

How long does it take to file a personal injury 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, or may start running from a later date depending on the circumstances of the accident and the injury.

What happens if you are hurt in an auto crash?

If you or a loved one was hurt in an auto crash, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages from the responsible driver. Compensation is available to cover such losses as:

Who is Gordon Levinson?

Gordon Levinson is a former insurance defense / personal injury litigator who represented some of the largest insurance companies in North America. Prior to founding the Levinson Law Group, he served as an associate in numerous law firms from 1996 to 2003 before working as a partner in a personal injury firm from 2004 to 2007. Click here to read Gordon's full professional bio.

Why Do You Need To Hire A Collision Lawyer Now?

Hiring a collision lawyer should be the first thing you’ll need to do after a serious collision. The aftermath can be costly, especially when you are paying medical and auto repair expenses. If there is a wrongful death, you may go through the unfortunate task of having to pay for funeral expenses for a family member that may have been killed.

What Damages Can You Collect?

In order to collect damages, there needs to be the burden of proof. Your collision attorney must prove that the negligent driver was responsible for the crash. Once there is proof, you can collect damages including lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, mental anguish, disability, and dismemberment among others.

Find A Collision Lawyer Now

There are several causes of how a collision occurs. And a negligent driver’s actions may cause serious injury or even death to themselves and their passengers. If you’ve been involved in a collision that resulted in serious injury or death, now is the time to find a collision lawyer that will work for you.

Can you get a lawyer for a car accident?

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. But there are times when a motor vehicle accident warrants the help of a lawyer: Serious Injuries. If a serious injury occurred, you’ll want to retain the services of an attorney.

What does an insurance adjuster do?

An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, so they have the best interest of the insurer in mind – not your interests. 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.

What to do if a report is not accurate?

If the report puts the blame on you and is not accurate, you’ll need an attorney to help and fight your case. Additional Parties. When additional parties are involved, you’ll need to contact an attorney. These parties can include other automobiles and even pedestrians. Attorneys are Involved.

Can you prove lost wages?

If your circumstances are complex, such as trying to prove lost wages, you’ll want legal advice. It can be difficult to prove lost wages as a sales person, consultant or business owner who doesn’t have a normal 9-to-5 job. Of course, if you’ve sustained serious injuries, hiring a lawyer is advised.

How to hire an accident lawyer?

Because an insurance company's lawyers have the knowledge to reduce compensation and even deny the claim altogether, hiring an accident attorney is the best option for people who: 1 Have suffered severe injuries. 2 Are faced with expensive medical bills. 3 Have experienced a significant loss of wages due to their injuries.

What happens when an insurance company disputes a car crash?

When an insurance company disputes its policyholder's liability for the car crash, the company is basically saying that the policyholder is not at fault (or is at least claiming you don't have enough proof of fault) and , therefore, the insurance company is not responsible for paying for your damages .

How to determine severity of injury?

Generally, the severity of your personal injuries is measured by the: 1 Type of injury (or injuries) you've sustained. 2 Length of time it takes (or will take) for you to recover. 3 Cost of medical bills (and any other therapeutic procedures) you've incurred.#N#This also can include the estimated cost of future medical procedures.

How long does a long term injury last?

Generally speaking, a long-term injury is one that lasts for around a year or longer , while a permanent injury is one that disables you for life. These types of personal injuries seriously affect your ability to become and stay employed—not to mention the quality of your life.

What is a dispute in insurance?

When an insurance company disputes its policyholder's liability for the car crash, the company is basically saying that the policyholder is not at fault (or is at least claiming you don't have enough proof of fault) and , therefore , the insurance company is not responsible for paying for your damages .

Why is it important to hire a personal injury attorney?

Because of possible situations such as statutes of limitations (which can vary by state), it's important to hire a personal injury attorney and get the claims process going as quickly as possible; however, you don't want to hire the first attorney for whom you see a billboard on the highway.

Do all personal injury attorneys have experience?

Not all personal injury attorneys have experience with cases that deal with personal injury caused by a car accident. Some focus more on slip-and-fall accidents, others on work-related injuries, and others still on premise liability cases. Make sure the attorney you choose has represented individuals who've suffered personal injuries specifically ...