Last Updated on September 26, 2023 by Tim R.
Road or car accidents night time consuming, dangerous, and, to some extent, expensive more so when significant injuries occur. It is essential that either immediately or after a few days after the accident to find a lawyer to help you out.
However, it is not easy for one to know whether they need an attorney or not. Therefore, it is crucial to know the circumstances when you should look for legal help and when not to. After any vehicle accident, it is necessary to get a qualified car accident lawyer to evaluate your cases. In most cases, car accident lawyers give free case evaluation services without obliging.
The following are circumstances when you should seek an attorney’s help after a car accident.
1. When you cannot work as a result of injuries and in need of ongoing medical care
If you get severe injuries from the accident in that you are unable to resume your work, opt for a lawyer. The attorney will ensure that you receive maximum compensation through legal means. Some accidents can impact one’s earning capacity for life.
So an experienced attorney will calculate the compensation amount you are entitled to as per the country’s law. The compensation will take into account medical bills and any missed work.
2. An uninsured motorist is involved in the accident
In case any of the involved parties in the car accident is not insured, you should look for a lawyer immediately. Most country laws require drivers to pay for the disaster they cause. Even if most of those drivers are responsible and always carry insurance, some do not have.
Although auto insurance policies can cover uninsured motorists, it might not be enough to cater to your damages and medical bills. In this case, an experienced attorney will assess your options and file a claim for losses against the uninsured counterpart.
3. If serious injuries or death emerged from the car accident
You should contact an experienced lawyer immediately if anyone dies or gets a severe injury from the accident. The accidents that cause serious bodily harm or even death can lead to a complicated lawsuit. Therefore to recoup the medical treatment costs for your injuries, you need to file a personal injury case the driver at fault.
You might also face wrongful death or personal injury counterclaim. The tribunal will have to consider multiple legal issues, which will raise the number of potential damages. Never should you present yourself in a case filed after a tragic car accident because these civil legal lawsuits involve complex matters that need expert advice and help.
A car accident lawyer will guide you through the right way and represent you in case of any counterclaims. They will also help in calculating the amount of compensation you deserve as the number of damages incurred.
There is no danger in planning a case survey with a car accident attorney since reputable attorneys will offer a free and legal consultation.
4. Multiple parties are involved in the crisis
An accident involving three or more cars can complicate the negotiation process plus the insurance claim settlement, resulting in multiple legal cases. Other disasters might include parties like property owners, commercial entities, or pedestrians.
For instance, a commercial delivery truck driver may enter an intersection illegally by ignoring the red light. In this circumstance, multiple lawsuits or complicated cases might arise. Therefore, if you get involved in a car accident that includes more than one party, it is prudent to get in touch with your lawyer.
A car accident attorney will fight on your behalf to ensure they keep your liabilities to other parties low and ensure you get the reimbursement you deserve. The lawyer will also communicate with the other parties’ lawyers and their insurance institutions.
5. When you need to obtain evidence from the accident
It is hard to analyze and collect evidence by yourself after an accident. If you get injuries in an accident, you may need a lawyer to analyze evidence to ascertain the fault party. For instance, modern vehicles have special equipment known as a black box that records vital information during an accident.
The recorded information will help determine the speed the car was moving before the accident. To access the other party’s data recorder, you need a court order, and your lawyer will request as part of a lawsuit.
6. Time has gone since the accident transpired
It is essential to file a case immediately after the accident has occurred or before the deadline has passed. The filing should not go beyond two years from when the accident happened. If the time has passed, you need to contact your car accident lawyer to ensure you don’t miss this statute of limitations.
Attorney will guide you in all the procedures and ensure that you comply with your case’s requirements without missing any. It would be best if you did not ignore this, assuming that the insurance company will be fair because some companies can wait for a deadline to pass so that that can deny your claim.
7. You have Upcoming Settlement Talks
Car accident cases settle before the involved for trial, which means that you might obtain a settlement suggestion from the at-fault driver or the insurance company. The settlement offer at the period is usually unfairly low, so you should only settle if the offered amount is reasonable based on damages made.
An experienced car accident lawyer will help you negotiate a higher settlement offer more than what you could have done. Ensure you hire a lawyer that has experience in a settlement offer negotiations for a favorable settlement agreement.
Conclusion
Car accidents bring a multitude of questions, which can be hard to answer. For instance:
- Who is at fault?
- How much compensation to get for the pain and damage?
Insurance claims can be chaotic and confusing for you. That being said, hiring a car accident attorney will be a prudent idea to negotiate for the insurance claims and settlement offers.
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