5 Signs You Need Legal Help After a Car Accident

Nobody wants to find themselves in the position where they’ve been in a car accident, but it’s a common occurrence on the road. Considering the fact that some states follow modified comparative fault rules, though, learning when you need to contact a lawyer after a crash is crucial.

Calling on legal assistance, even for borderline crashes, can help to ensure you have all your bases covered and an adequate defense in your court. To that end, below are the five key signs that indicate it may be a good idea to contact a lawyer after a crash:

1. There Are Serious Injuries or Medical Treatment

One of the main reasons you think about calling a lawyer after you’ve been through a car accident is if there were serious injuries or medical treatment required. These could look like broken bones, concussions, internal injuries, and more. The nuance of receiving these injuries due to a car accident is what necessitates a lawyer.

Lawyers can assist you by ensuring that medical bills are retained and labeled clearly, ensuring fair compensation for medical expenses, and assisting with documentation of the costs for ongoing treatment. The other reason they may be necessary in this instance is because serious injuries can complicate claims such that legal representation becomes necessary, with insurance providing you a lowball offer being a common example.

2. Disputed Fault or Liability

If there is a dispute over who caused the car accident or how it occurred, seeking out legal assistance may not be a bad choice. Part of a lawyer’s role is assisting you with gathering evidence, witness statements, and expert testimony, as needed, in order to prove liability.

There may be multiple factors involved in your accident, ranging from multiple other drivers, a company, defective auto parts, and more, which a lawyer can help you to navigate. Their expense will be crucial if the other party or insurance agency is denying any responsibility for the accident or for paying the claim.

3. Insurance Companies Are Offering a Low Settlement

As alluded to, insurance companies are unfortunately notorious for offering lowball settlements. They naturally want to settle as quickly as possible, which often ends up being for less than what is fair. Insurance companies may attempt to make the deal sound sweet and say the offer may not be around for long in an effort to push you to sign.

If you are feeling pressure from insurance or are certain the offer you’ve received is for less than you deserve, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer. They will help you secure a fair settlement by arguing the scope of damages for the case. Their legal expertise will help to uncover all aspects of your injury, including long-term medical costs and other unaccounted for items.

4. The Accident Involves Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

Should you find yourself involved in a wreck with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or is extremely underinsured, you may find yourself stuck with a bill inadvertently. If you don’t have coverage for this event, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Insurance policies often offer coverage that is designed for this situation, but it isn’t mandatory in many states. A lawyer can help ensure you don’t bear as much financial burden when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Sometimes, they can also negotiate with your own insurance company to receive compensation as well.

5. The Accident Involves Complex Legal or Medical Issues

In certain cases that have complex factors, such as multiple injuries, ongoing medical care needs, commercial vehicle accidents, collisions with government vehicles, and more, it’s best to reach out to a lawyer. Their expertise and familiarity with handling complicated cases will help you to ensure your rights are protected.

During cases such as the above, it’s possible that specialized knowledge may be required. This could come in the form of expert witnesses, inferring medical documents, or extensive documentation, and a lawyer can put you in touch with all the right people.

Improve your chance of success in a lawsuit

Any car accident where another driver causes the wreck out of negligence should be a reason to get on the phone with a lawyer. However, each of the above reasons also serves as a catalyst for getting on the phone with a lawyer. Doing so can help you to avoid complications and ensure a fair settlement or litigation process that gives you the best chance at recovering compensation.

If any of the above situations apply to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney for guidance on your case.