When Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Car accidents are stressful for everyone involved, and there are more than six million car accidents each year. Even minor accidents that only cause property damage can leave you dealing with insurance companies, claims payments, and repair shops. Worse yet, if you are seriously injured in a car crash, or a loved one is one of the 38,000 people who lose their life, the issues can multiply, and you may face mounting medical bills, lost income, and chronic pain.

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In certain situations after a car accident, you may benefit from having an experienced car accident attorney by your side. An attorney can help advocate for your rights, represent you if a claim goes to court, and potentially help you recover significantly more money for damages compared to handling the claim yourself. Read on to learn about some key times when you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer.

If There Are Serious Injuries or Death

If you or a loved one are injured in a car crash, especially if the injuries are serious or ultimately fatal, which is the case in 33 percent of all accidents caused by speeding, hiring an attorney is usually strongly advisable.

Severe injuries often come with extensive medical expenses and challenges that are difficult to handle without legal representation.

An experienced accident lawyer will understand how to calculate and prove the full scope of financial losses and suffering stemming from the crash. For example, in the case of a brain injury injured in a car crash, the future medical, rehabilitation and care expenses over one’s expected lifetime could be millions of dollars. A lawyer can fight to recover or set up payment for these large future costs.

If You Are Unfairly Denied Insurance Payment

Sometimes car insurance companies deny or delay claims payments unfairly. If you have been paying for coverage that should reasonably apply to crash-related vehicle repair or medical expenses, but your provider refuses to pay out adequately or at all, this warrants connecting with an attorney. They have experience handling recalcitrant insurers and can analyze your policy language and documentation to build a compelling argument for the insurer to pay.

In some cases, a stern letter from an attorney succeeds in getting the claim paid properly. Other times, a lawsuit is required. Either way, legal help is prudent to fight denied insurance coverage. 

If Settlement Offers Seem Unfairly Low

In the aftermath of an accident, insurance companies may make you a quick settlement offer characterized as covering “total losses.” Yet not all early settlement offers are fair or account for the full extent of auto repair costs, medical bills (present and future), lost income, and pain and suffering damages. If the initial number seems unreasonably low given the scale of damage and injuries, getting advice from an attorney is key. An attorney can properly calculate estimated total losses and facilitate further negotiation with insurers to work toward a full and fair settlement amount. With good legal representation, settlement results often improve substantially without requiring drawn-out court proceedings, and you may receive upwards of $75k.

If You Were Hit by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

Sadly, around 1 in 8 drivers on U.S. roads lacks car insurance despite it being required by law. If an uninsured motorist hits your vehicle, you take on all the liability for damages, unless you carry uninsured motorist coverage (not required in all states). However, collecting payment from an uninsured driver can prove extremely difficult, heightening the value legal counsel brings to the situation. Attorneys have resources and methods to investigate driver and vehicle ownership records, identify assets, and pursue alternative forms of compensation through courts if needed – options much harder to leverage on your own.

Benefit From an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Experiencing a car crash brings stress, uncertainty, and often significant financial burdens related to vehicle repair, medical care, and lost income. Hiring a local car accident lawyer who has experience with the State laws can make a big difference. For example, if you get injured in a crash while driving in Fort Worth, Texas, your best option is to reach out to an experienced team of Fort Worth car accident lawyers.

A good lawyer will guide you through every step of the claims process, handle the insurance company, and negotiate a fair settlement while you recover. While hiring a car accident attorney has its own costs, in many accident situations, the benefits outweigh these costs tremendously.