The answer to the inquiry: "When to hire an attorney after a car accident?" —is immediately following. Insurance companies begin working immediately to shift or deny liability and minimize victim injuries and their financial obligations.
After retaining a car accident lawyer, the insurance companies can no longer contact you. This allows you to focus on recovery while your lawyer builds a concrete case. Schedule a free consultation with a local car accident lawyer to discuss the details of your claim.
Minor to Severe: When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident
Some car accidents result in very minor damages and no injuries. However, even accidents that seem minor may become complex, especially when delayed injuries occur, such as post-traumatic stress disorder reactions following car accidents. Car accident victims should hire an attorney after a car accident if:
- The accident resulted in injury to you or someone else
- When clear liability isn't established, or there are multiple liable parties
- An uninsured motorist caused the car accident
- An impaired, intoxicated, or distracted driver caused the accident
- The auto collision involved a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or any other motorist
- The car accident occurred in a construction or school zone
- If you disagree with the official police report
These factors complicate an insurance investigation quickly. Having an experienced car accident attorney handle the legal process ensures a greater chance of recovering significant compensation for your financial losses and hardships.
Why You Need to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident
Hiring an attorney after a car accident is beneficial in many ways. They will protect you from insurers, fully investigate your claim, evaluate your damages, negotiate larger settlements, and provide legal representation in court (if necessary).
Offer Protection Against Car Insurance Companies
Auto insurance companies are relentless in their calculated approach to handling claims, especially those involving unrepresented car accident victims. They will do their best to minimize their obligated compensation payouts. Some of their tactics involve:
- Acting like they're a concerned friend after the accident to get you to say something they may use to discredit injuries and delay or deny liability.
- They will press you to make a recorded statement that they can later dissect for statements they can use to twist your way out of liability.
- Asking you deliberate questions with the intention of getting you to say something they can use to dismiss your claim.
- Pressuring you to release your medical records for their care.
- Advising that you do not need a car accident attorney to help recover compensation.
- Suggesting that their in-house doctors evaluate your injuries.
- Misinterpreting insurance policies to their financial benefit.
- Offering settlements that are only large enough to cover your insurance copays.
Some auto insurers may hire a private investigator to follow and spy on you after the accident to destroy your credibility. This may include watching your social media accounts for posts and pictures that can incriminate you. It's heavily advised that you do not make posts after a car accident. Ask your attorney to clarify these conditions.
Conduct a Thorough Investigation Into Your Car Accident
Investigating your car accident is a complex process involving many steps. Depending on the nature and severity of your case, your lawyer may:
- Gather Evidence: Collecting evidence as soon as possible after a car accident is important. Several critical pieces of evidence, such as dash cam and other video footage, may be lost or erased in a matter of days. Your attorney will gather accident scene photos, injury photos, medical records, police reports, and any other evidence pertinent to proving negligence and injuries.
- Take Witness Statements: Identifying and locating witnesses is another part of investigating your car accident claim. Witness testimony helps prove liability and recover financial losses.
- Work With Accident Reconstruction Experts: Car accident reconstruction is a massive investigation component. Your lawyer will work with experts to pinpoint the exact moment of negligence and liability. Accident reconstruction specialists use computer simulations and 3D laser scanning to recreate the scene and demonstrate the at-fault party(s) negligence.
- Consult Expert Witnesses: Depending on your car accident circumstances, your lawyer will work with medical, engineering, automotive, vocational, and occupational experts. Additionally, they consult economic loss analysts to determine the financial impact of the car accident.
Things such as multiple liable parties and the severity of injuries can slow an investigation. The statute of limitations for car accidents varies by case and state. Your attorney will ensure you meet all legal deadlines for processing your claim.
Provide a Comprehensive Evaluation of Claim
Another invaluable service car accident lawyers provide is their comprehensive evaluation of losses incurred by the accident. These losses include economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and disability costs
- Income losses
- Vehicle and personal property damages
- Home and transportation mobility modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Worsening of existing injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
Families who suffered the loss of a loved one in a car accident may also have a right to file a wrongful death claim, recovering these damages and more. Wrongful death damages can include loss of guidance, loss of consortium, and loss of inheritance.
Propose Skilled Negotiations With Liable Insurers
A massive factor in recovering compensation is negotiating for a fair settlement. Your car accident attorney will send a demand letter to liable insurers outlining your damages and desired compensation amount.
Usually, the insurance company responds with a low offer that your attorney will counter. Negotiations may involve a few rounds of counteroffers before settling.
Provide Legal Representation in Court
If the liable parties cannot negotiate a satisfactory settlement, your car accident attorney will file a lawsuit to take the case to court. This is a rare occurrence, as is the case with car accident claims.
Most settlements are reached without litigation. However, if your case ends up being the exception, your car accident lawyer will represent your cause of action in court.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney
Don't wait to have a reputable personal injury law firm in Winder, GA evaluate your case. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer today to determine your legal plan of action to recover financial compensation for your car accident.