I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT!
DO I NEED A LAWYER?
This is a common question after any car accident. Assuming you were able to do so, you may have taken pictures of the scene; traded contact and insurance information with the other drivers; talked with police officers and filed a report; and, contacted your own insurance company. You may have also gone to the hospital or scheduled a doctor’s appointment to evaluate your injuries.
You’ve done everything right so far, but you’re not sure about whether to contact a lawyer. You may think, if the insurance company will handle it, why talk to a lawyer after my car accident?
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL A LAWYER?
If you are seriously injured or hospitalized after a car accident, you should definitely call a lawyer as soon as you are able to do so.
An experienced auto accident attorney can help you and your family alleviate stress while you are recovering from your injuries. A lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical bills, ambulance bills, surgery costs, lost wages, and more. Insurance companies are not focused on your specific needs or particular losses. With a lawyer at your side, you may receive more compensation than you would otherwise receive from a standard insurance settlement.
Even if you’re not seriously injured, there are good reasons to contact a lawyer. If the crash involved more than two vehicles, pedestrians, or passengers, you should speak with a lawyer. Overlapping insurance claims can be extremely confusing and an experienced auto accident attorney can assist you with navigating these competing insurance claims.
WHY SHOULD YOU TALK TO A LAWYER?
Dealing with an insurance company, especially one that is not representing you, can be intimidating and confusing, especially when you need to focus on recovering from an injury. Partnering with an experienced lawyer who will fight for your needs can give you peace of mind that your claims are being handled so you can concentrate on rest and recovery.
The laws which may be applicable to the accident can also be difficult to understand, especially if there is a dispute about who may have been at fault. If fault is a question, you should talk with a lawyer. An experienced lawyer will help you obtain and examine police and other reports, speak to witnesses, and gather other evidence, all of which will be helpful in negotiations with insurance adjusters and in any court case.
If you would like to talk with an experienced lawyer about your accident and injury, contact WVLawyer PLLC at (304) 982-8888.
WHEN CAN YOU GO WITHOUT A LAWYER?
Sometimes it’s not practical to hire a lawyer after a car accident. Scratched paint, a broken tail light, and other “fender bender” – type accidents may not be worth your time to go through the process of finding a lawyer that you are comfortable with, filling out paperwork, and possibly going to court.
Even if you decide that you don’t want a lawyer, be sure to follow these few guidelines after a car accident – check yourself for injuries; take photographs of the accident scene, vehicles, and surrounding area; get information from witnesses if possible; file a police report; and contact your insurance company.
If you are in doubt about whether to hire a lawyer, and you would like an experienced lawyer to evaluate your case, contact WVLawyer PLLC at (304) 982-8888.