Not all car accidents require the help of an attorney. Most of the time, you will not need the help of an attorney when property damage is the only issue, or if personal injuries were minor. In some cases, however, you may benefit greatly from the insight and expertise of a qualified car accident lawyer.
Consult an attorney if you were seriously injured. In addition to the actual amount of your medical expenses, you may be entitled to additional compensation for wages lost during your recovery, future economic loss, and even pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can help you beyond knowing what compensation to seek. Studies conducted over the last few years have shown that settlements negotiated by attorneys are as much as 3-1/2 times larger than those received by individuals without legal counsel.
Hire an attorney if the insurance company offers a settlement too soon. Settling out of court benefits the insurance company because it saves them money, but negotiating the settlement before enough time has passed to ascertain the degree of your injuries will do you an injustice. A qualified lawyer can review the case and determine whether or not the settlement offer is fair.
Get legal advice if the accident was your fault. In most states, even if you were negligent in some way, the other driver probably had some responsibility for the incident as well. Most states operate under a system called comparative negligence, which allocates a degree of responsibility to each party, based on their actions. If there is a chance that you might be sued, you should set up a consultation with a car accident attorney to discuss the case. Even if you were at fault, your lawyer may be able to help limit the degree of financial responsibility.
Seek legal help if insurance refuses to pay covered expenses or cuts off payments. Insurance companies obviously are in business to make a profit, but they are required to live up to the terms of the policies they’ve underwritten. If you feel that you did not receive the benefits to which you were entitled, ask a lawyer to review the situation.
Finally, talk to a lawyer if you’re uncertain about the legal process. You do have certain rights under the law, and if you think your rights have been abused, speaking with an attorney can clarify the situation. Initial consultations are usually free, and if you are entitled to benefits that have been withheld, your attorney is the best resource to resolve the problem.