Car accidents can lead to injuries, vehicle damage, financial struggles, and legal issues. The aftermath of a collision is stressful enough without having to navigate the claims process alone.
Determining if you need a lawyer after a crash depends on several factors. This article looks at four scenarios where hiring an attorney benefits car accident victims.
Understanding when legal help is advantageous can support your recovery and rights. With the guidance of a skilled car accident lawyer, you don’t have to handle this difficult situation on your own.
In this blog, I will tell you exactly when to hire a car accident lawyer. So, if that’s something that you have been thinking about, then you have come to the right place. Therefore, keep on reading this blog till the end…
When To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?
It is only natural for you to be confused after an accident. But you should know when to hire a car accident lawyer! Here’s when:
If You Suffered Serious Injuries in a Car Accident
Bill Winters, of Winters & Yonker, a trusted Tampa car accident law firm, explains that research shows that more than 6 out of 10 personal bankruptcies in America are connected to medical bills, many coming from car accident injuries.
If you suffered severe injuries in a crash requiring a lot of medical treatment, a lawyer can fight for maximum compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Medical bills.
- Lost income.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Serious injuries like brain trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, burns, and chronic pain require complicated documentation to prove the full impact.
An attorney has the legal knowledge and resources to gather all necessary evidence and calculate full compensation.
If There Are Multiple Vehicles or Parties Involved
Research shows that almost 50% of fatal car incidents involve more than one vehicle, thus making the issue of liability more difficult to solve.
The situation with multiple vehicles is like a legal puzzle with tricky shared fault and insurance liability issues.
An attorney can find out what exactly happened in the accident, talk to all the people involved, look at the police report, and then allocate the percentages of wrongdoing to each driver.
This makes the strongest possible case for getting compensation from all the insurers who are at fault. With a lawyer, you won’t run the risk of being tricked into accepting less money than you are entitled to.
If You Have Developed Anxiety, PTSD, or Phobias From The Car Accident
Some scientists found that about three out of ten people who were in car accidents suffer from PTSD or anxiety disorders.
The situation is like emotional trauma that can happen after a collision and may call for therapy and other treatments.
The damages of this kind are much more obscure to prove. However, an attorney with good experience can get a declaration from a professional in mental health.
Additionally, they can refer to the symptoms that are given as testified to, which they will use as their plea for compensation for the mental pain.
Never accept what an insurance company tells you, e.g. that your psychiatric problems are unrelated or insignificant.
If The Fault is Disputed
Experts can determine fault with high accuracy, making them crucial in disputed cases. A lawyer can hire specialists to recreate the accident and conclusively prove fault if:
- The other driver denies responsibility.
- The police report is inconclusive.
- Versions of events conflict.
Accident reconstructionists, bioengineers, and other experts can analyze crash data, conduct simulations, assess injuries, and demonstrate conclusively that the other party was liable. This evidence is pivotal in contested cases.
What Is The Cost Of Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer?
Now that you are aware of when to hire a car accident lawyer, it is important that you know about the budget or the cost.
Yes, you read that right!
Even though you might want to have the best lawyer for your case, you should be aware of the fee structure.
Well, considering the fact that these accidents fall under the law of personal injury, most of the time, these PI lawyers will not charge fees upfront. They work on a contingency fee basis.
And if you have read my previous blogs on personal injury lawsuits, you probably already know what this means! Well, for those who have literally zero clue, this means that the lawyer only gets to have a commission when they win the case for you.
However, everything comes with a price, right? Here’s what you need to know about the cost of hiring a car accident lawyer:
- Zero Upfront: In most cases, you don’t have to pay any money upfront to hire a car accident lawyer.
- Contingency Fee: The lawyer’s fee is based on a successful outcome. Hence, they only get paid if you receive a settlement or court award.
- Percentage Range: Generally, the percentage that the lawyer takes from the settlement as a fee is in the range of 25% to 40%.
Factors Influencing Fee
The actual percentage can be influenced by several conditions, such as:
- Difficulty of the case.
- Lawyer’s expertise.
- Point in time when it is resolved (e.g., before or after trial).
Potential Expenses
In addition to the contingency fee, there may be other expenses related to the case that need to be paid, such as:
- Fees for filing in court.
- Obtaining medical records.
- Getting police reports.
- Payment for an expert witness.
The costs are normally paid from your settlement or award, along with the lawyer’s fee, of course.
Your Legal Guide: Why Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?
While minor accidents may not require an attorney, those involving serious injury, multiple vehicles, disputed fault, or mental trauma call for skilled legal guidance.
An experienced car accident lawyer has the resources and dedication to build your strongest case and maximize compensation for the full impact of the collision.
Here are some of the reasons why you need to hire a car accident lawyer:
- Preserve Evidence: Physical evidence like witness statements and traffic camera footage can vanish quickly, so it is really essential to get a lawyer who can collect it immediately.
- Statute of Limitations: The filing of a personal injury lawsuit is limited by certain time limits (statutes of limitations). Therefore, taking action without delay will secure you a place in the compensation pool.
- Focus on Recovery: When you appoint a lawyer, you give yourself the chance to concentrate on your healing, both physically and emotionally, while the attorney is taking care of the legal part of your case.
- Maximize Settlement: Advocates are experienced in negotiating and can guarantee that you get a just settlement that includes all your losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t take chances with your recovery. It is best that you hire legal help and protect your rights.
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