Understanding Personal Injury Law

Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

6 December 2019

Celina Nichols

When you're involved in a car accident, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. After you're safe and have sought medical treatment for any injuries you sustained, filing a car insurance claim is likely your next order of business. While most people can handle minor car accidents that didn't result in major damage or injuries themselves, it's best to seek legal representation if the accident was more complex.

Determining Fault

One of the main reasons many people hire an attorney after a car accident is to get legal help to prove fault. Some accidents involve an at-fault driver who was intoxicated or was violating traffic laws, but many others fall into more of a gray area. If the insurance company is trying to argue that you are at fault and you feel the accident was another driver's fault, an attorney can help you sort out the facts and evidence to present your case as well as possible.

Insurance Company Settlement Offers

If your vehicle sustained any kind of significant damage or you or your passengers were injured, the insurance company will likely offer you a settlement to compensate you for any medical care you received and lost wages if you missed time at work. If you feel the insurance company offered a fair amount and you don't expect to have lingering problems or need additional medical care for your injuries, you might not need a lawyer.

Consider any settlement offers carefully, however. Once you agree to a settlement, you most likely won't be able to seek additional damages in court. An attorney can help you with matters other than litigation, so if you're not sure whether the settlement offer is fair or you wonder whether you can get more, seek the opinion of an experienced lawyer.

Non-Economic Losses

If you sustained injuries in a car accident that led to non-economic losses, you might find it complicated to arrive on a dollar amount you feel those losses are worth. It's easy to put a price tag on the cost of medical treatment and wages you've lost for time you've already missed, but if the accident resulted in physical or mental pain and suffering, speak with an attorney to find out what your claim might be worth and whether you should move forward with a lawsuit. 

If someone died in the accident or as a result of injuries sustained in the accident, you could be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship as well. If you do decide to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will know the best ways to present these losses in court to help you get the compensation you're entitled to.

Even if you're still unsure whether you would benefit from hiring an attorney, make an appointment with services like The Lombardo Law Firm. Many attorneys who practice personal injury law offer a free consultation to people who were injured in auto accidents.

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