When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Full Answer
Mar 12, 2022 · The necessary steps after a car accident are routine to insurance companies, and they have the experience and resources to fight, and minimize your claim. An experienced car accident lawyer knows the process after a car accident and the tactics of insurance companies.
May 21, 2021 · An experienced car accident lawyer can help to level the playing field in your dealings with insurance companies. They know the strategies that insurance companies use to reduce the compensation ...
Jul 14, 2021 · Filing insurance claims with issues of fault, injuries, statutes of limitation, or other complicating factors is when to hire a car accident lawyer after an accident. Car insurance companies have lawyers to review those types of issues and advise the company on ways to avoid paying you what you deserve. We advise consulting with at least one car accident lawyer …
A general rule of thumb for knowing when to hire an attorney after a car accident is by assessing the damages. If you were injured, lost a loved one, or suffered significant property damage, it’s usually best to consult with an attorney. If the accident was a minor fender bender with no injuries, you can probably go it alone.
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.
There three distinct scenarios after a car accident that may arise. depending on which you find yourself in will help determine whether you should hire an auto insurance lawyer or not.
There are extenuating circumstances that make your claim more valuable and you don’t know how to prove your loss (for example, you’re a caregiver and can no longer take care of your husband or sick mother).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Usually, car accidents in volving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome.