When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident and When Not To

Written by admin on February 3, 2020. Posted in Blog.

We spend so much time behind the wheel of our automobiles that we often forget about the great degree of risk we put ourselves in every day. Despite what we might like to believe, accidents are common and there’s a very good chance we will all be in one at least once in our lifetimes.

As such, it’s important to know when to get an attorney for a car accident. Not all incidents involving automobiles need the help of a lawyer, but many do. Being able to make this determination as quickly as possible following your accident can only help you out in the long run.

When do you need an attorney, and when is it not worth the cost? Read on and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

When You Don’t Need an Attorney

Not all car accidents are created equal. The severity from one accident to another can vary quite greatly. Simple car accidents, like fender benders, might result in very minimal personal or property damage.

In these situations, is it worth hiring an attorney to look over your case?

Most likely not. If the damage is minimal or non-existent, you can probably work through the particulars of the case without the need for an attorney. A good litmus test is to look at the cost of the damage done. Is it smaller than the cost of what an attorney would be?

If the answer is yes, it’s probably best to handle this case on your own. Even if things don’t pan out perfectly, there isn’t too much money on the line. The stakes are not too high to put you in any real compromising situation.

However, there are many situations in which a simple car accident might be more complicated than we initially assume. This is especially true when it comes to the subject of our own health.

It’s common for the body to go into shock following the surprise of an accident, even a simple one. In these situations, adrenaline floods the body and can mask the pain or aches of injuries. It’s best to see a doctor before making the call that you are truly uninjured.

If you are injured, it’s likely that you’ll need the help of an attorney to ensure you receive proper compensation for these damages.

Severe Accidents & Damages Done

When we do get into a car accident, we can all only hope that it’s as simple and uncomplicated as a simple fender bender. The unfortunate truth is that many car accidents are much more severe in nature, and the personal and property damage done can be quite extreme.

In this situation, the stakes can be much higher. You might be in great pain, your car might be damaged beyond repair, and the costs you might be facing can be quite high. If your accident was the result of another driver’s actions, it can be essential to ensure you have legal representation.

The stability of your financial future might require receiving the compensation that you have a right to in a court of law.

Fighting against insurance company lawyers and obtaining this rightful compensation can be quite complicated. It’s not recommended that you take on such a task on your own. There are many benefits that an experienced attorney can provide to you during this difficult time.

Properly Evaluate Your Case

One of the most difficult portions of a car accident case is finding the proper valuation of compensation one can ask for. Most drivers are not sure how much they can actually ask for when pursuing such a case.

There are certain costs that are easier to prove and quantify: medical bills, automobile repair costs, lost wages, and so forth. But how can you put a number to the pain and suffering you’ve experienced as a result of the accident?

An attorney will have a great deal of experience finding the monetary balance to these hard-to-qualify areas. They will ensure you will get the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.

They Have Knowledge and Experience

There’s a lot to know when putting a car accident case together. First, you’ll need to collect evidence and build a strong case against the other driver. This can be more complicated than it seems at first blush.

A case also needs to properly navigate the complicated legal system, which is filled with deadlines, paperwork, and specific requirements one must adhere to.

On top of all of that, insurance company attorneys will often fight to downgrade a compensation total. They want to limit the amount of money a victim can receive and are skilled at presenting a case in order to get this kind of outcome.

Having an experienced and knowledgable attorney on your side will help you to navigate these complicated tasks. If there is any amount of serious damage done to your vehicle or your body, it can be very important to have representation to ensure you are made whole and find justice.