While hiring a lawyer does not guarantee a certain outcome for your case, they may assist you in investigating the accident, gathering evidence to establish the other driver's conduct, and negotiating with insurance on your behalf. This might help you manage the legal procedure while spending time with your family and prioritizing your physical recovery.

Ultimately, whether you should contact an attorney after a vehicle accident is determined by your level of comfort with navigating the claims procedure on your own. However, you have the right to seek legal guidance at any time.

Car accidents may be costly, time-consuming, and dangerous. But it's difficult to decide whether you need the assistance of a car accident lawyer to handle your case, especially at the beginning. When should you get legal help?

When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?

Even with a “minor” injury, it’s still worth getting a free opinion from a lawyer before you make any decisions in your case. And if the same minor injury required physical therapy, a specialist, an epidural, or other special treatment, it could be worth thousands more, and a lawyer could make a big difference for you.

Situations Where Hiring Car Accident Lawyer Would Be Most Advantageous

There will be certain conditions in your case that dictate if you should call a car accident lawyer. Call a car accident lawyer if any of these circumstances apply to your experience.

1. Hospital Stay to Care for Critical Injuries

In most states, if you are in the hospital for over 24 hours, you have a right to have your medical care paid for by your own insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to pay for your care, then you need to hire a car accident lawyer.

2. You're Not Sure How Serious Your Injury Is

While you’re in the emergency room after a car accident, you’re probably under the influence of pain medications and unable to make sound decisions. By the time you’re coherent, the other insurance company has contacted you or your employer and given you “settlement” offers that are less than what the true value of your case is. If you want to receive a fair offer and make an informed decision, you need to call a car accident lawyer.

3. You're Worried You Can't Afford Payment

In many cases, it’s hard for patients to meet their financial obligations after an injury. For example, a patient may have to miss work to recover from their injuries, causing a loss of income. Some patients even have their wages garnished because of unpaid medical bills. In addition, some patients have to pay high deductibles from their health insurance and even high deductibles from their car insurance. Lawyers will help the patient negotiate with the insurance company to pay hospital bills and deductibles while reducing the amount of time and money the patient has to spend on their case.

4. Contradictory Insurance, Police, or Medical Reports

Have you reviewed the police report and thought that it was “incorrect,” “misleading,” or “incomplete”? If so, you need to call a car accident lawyer. The insurance company will be using the report for their own benefit, which means your injuries and the level of care you need might not be accurately portrayed. A lawyer can help you through the process of filing a complaint on your behalf.

5. Disagreement Over Who Is at Fault

You probably know who caused your car accident, but your insurance company doesn’t. They have to look into your claim and determine who is responsible. In most cases, they will ask the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay your claim. However, they can’t do this unless they know who caused the accident. You need to hire a car accident lawyer to help make sure they investigate the incident properly.

6. Emotional Suffering or Lost Companionship

If you are suffering emotionally after the accident and you’re not sure how to handle it, then you should call a car accident lawyer. The emotional stress that comes with a car accident can affect you and your loved ones. Your personal injury attorney will help you handle your claims while you recover from your emotional distress.

7. You Missed Work Time

The insurance company will want to know how long you had to miss work to recover from your injuries. This process can be long and frustrating, and it can take a full year before you can go back to work. You should call a car accident lawyer to help shorten the time you have to spend recovering from your injuries and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Was My Fault?

If you’re involved in a car accident, and you caused the collision, you have to be entirely honest with yourself. The other driver is probably hurt, and you should do what you can to help them. However, you also have a legal obligation to report the accident to your insurance company and to take care of the damages you caused. Do you remember thinking about your potential insurance rates after a car accident? If so, then call a car accident lawyer to resolve your claim.

Is It Possible to Settle a Car Accident Claim without a Lawyer?

You always have the option of handling your car accident claim without a lawyer. However, for serious injuries, it might be worth it to hire a lawyer for an evaluation. If you are uncertain about the value of your case, you also can hire an attorney to evaluate your claim.

Conclusion

Car accidents can be one of the most devastating experiences of your life. But, with the right legal representation, you can get the care and compensation you need to move on with your life.

Dealing with insurance companies can be disheartening. You have enough on your plate with recovering from your injuries, paying medical bills, and taking time off from work. Don’t have to worry about fighting with your insurance company – call a car accident lawyer for help.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, contact our experienced and caring bus accident attorney in Los Angeles for a consultation. We're a law firm that can walk you through the entire process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.