When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

It may be challenging to understand what to do next after a motor vehicle accident. You must navigate insurance issues, potentially deal with health concerns and medical treatment, etc.

The entire process is stressful, but you have options. Hiring an attorney can help you navigate the process and make it more manageable. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help when you are ready to work with legal counsel.

Types of Car Accidents

Different types of car accidents may require legal representation. You can face them alone, but seeking counsel from personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the process and get maximum compensation.

Personal Injury Accidents

If you faced any personal injuries after your car accident, a personal injury attorney can help you hold all parties responsible for your harm.

You can seek damages for the following due to a car accident.

• Medical costs: Doctor’s bills, physical therapy, treatment costs, mental health issues, and more can be recovered
• Emotional pain and suffering: You can get compensation if you have suffered hardships due to a car accident.
• Lost wages: If you were out of work, you can get damages for the lost wages that you would have received

Car accident victims need to remember personal injury does not have to be physical to count in a court of law. You can also get compensation for intangible damages, such as trauma, in a car accident case.

Property Damage Accidents

Property damage is one of the most significant costs you can recover from a car accident. This can include:

• Vehicle damage or loss: If the car you were driving was damaged, you can recover compensation for the cost of the repairs. If it was deemed a total loss, you can seek damages for the total cost of the car.
• Personal belongings: If any personal items, such as phones, tablets, computers, classes, clothing, and other personal items, were damaged during the car accident, you can be compensated for them.
• Incidental costs: If you had to get a rental car, you could ask to be reimbursed for that, among other incidental expenses.

Property damage due to a car accident can extend beyond the car itself, and legal representation can help you understand the full extent of the costs you incurred after the accident.

Fatal Accidents

Fatalities in car accidents, while unfortunate, are not uncommon. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports there were more than 42,500 deaths in 2022. [1] If you were in a car accident that resulted in a fatality, you must retain legal representation.

A fatal car accident lawyer can help protect your rights if you were at fault for the accident that caused another person’s death. They can help negotiate your legal consequences, which may be severe, especially if the driver’s negligence caused the death.

If your loved ones were killed as a result of a car accident, an auto accident lawyer can help recover maximum compensation for the death. Car accident attorneys understand how to navigate the legal process and act in your best interest, regardless of the circumstances of the case.

Signs You Need a Lawyer

Consider your circumstances if you are on the fence about engaging a car accident lawyer for your case. You may need to get a lawyer if you notice any of the following signs, even in a minor car crash. They will help get the best outcome for your car accident case and personal injury claim.

Serious Injuries

You may need a lawyer if you develop severe injuries as a result of the car accident. These include:

• Long-term Medical Treatment: For people who had to stay in a hospital or rehab center, a car accident lawyer can help you recover your treatment costs.
• Permanent Injury: If you have a permanent injury that will not go away after the accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get damages for your past, current, and future medical bills.
• Disability: People may develop long-term disabilities and mobility issues as a result of car accident injuries.

Any injury is worth pursuing damages in a court of law, but serious accidents can have life-long consequences. You should not have to carry the financial burden, and car accident lawyers can help you get compensated for the other driver’s negligence.

Multiple Parties Involved

Some car accidents are cut and dry. There is a clear at-fault driver and no argument about what happened. However, if that’s not the case, you may want to engage with a car accident attorney to help navigate the complexities of the personal injury claims process.

• Multiple Vehicles: When more than one car is involved, it can be more difficult to recover fair compensation.
• Multiple Parties: Multiple people being involved makes accidents more challenging, especially if there are numerous injuries.
• Multiple Stories: No one wants to take fault for an accident, so if it is unclear who it is or there are conflicting stories, you may need someone to help investigate the claims.

Experienced car accident lawyers help untangle the details of complex accidents, especially when multiple parties are involved. They gather evidence to help build strong personal injury cases.

Insurance Company Disputes

You pay for car insurance to help protect you in the case of car accidents, but it’s not always that easy. Many insurance companies will not want to pay out and will look for technicalities to get out of it.

If they can’t avoid it, they will try to pay the minimum costs required for an accident. This often does not cover the total cost of the accident, including vehicle damage, personal injury, medical bills, and more.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help represent you to negotiate fair compensation. They take over if you have difficulty dealing with your insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

Even though it is required in all states except New Hampshire and Virginia [2], not all drivers carry insurance. If you get into an accident involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, car accident lawyers can help you get compensation for your damages.

Lawyers can suggest the best means of seeking legal action against the uninsured driver to help you recover costs and get your car fixed or replaced. They will help ensure your medical expenses are covered and negotiate for compensation to pay for legal fees.

Recovering compensation from uninsured drivers can be challenging, and a car accident lawyer will know the best course of action.

Uninsured drivers have rights that a lawyer can help with. If you were at fault, they can help negotiate your legal fees, compensation, and other costs associated with the accident.

Lawyers can help those not at fault seek damages and reduce the legal consequences you may be facing.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Claim

There are many benefits to hiring a lawyer to help investigate your car insurance claim. Experienced attorneys can help you negotiate settlements. They take the reigns regarding the legal process, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Negotiating a Fair Settlement

Lawyers can help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Often, many insurance companies will provide a low offer to start with. A person may not know better and accept the offer, primarily if it covers the immediate cost of the car.

However, a car insurance claim lawyer profoundly understands the process, and they know the first offer is just the start. They can negotiate on your behalf to get a better settlement. The first offer is rarely the best, and they stay at the table until they secure it for you.

If they can’t agree, your lawyer will represent you in court against the insurance company and the other driver. They do not get paid unless they win your case, so negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf is in their best interest.

Handling the Legal Process

The legal system can be daunting, and an auto accident attorney can help you navigate its complexities. They take over the investigation and advocate on your behalf.

They’re gathering evidence, building a case, and speaking on your behalf. Attorneys understand what nuances of the law to take advantage of to ensure you receive top compensation.

Maximizing Compensation

Your financial recovery is a lawyer’s top priority. They will look at the details of your case, including the circumstances surrounding the accident, any medical attention you received, the pain and suffering you endured, and more.

Based on the information obtained, they will recommend a maximum settlement. Then, our attorneys fight until they get it.

Protecting Your Rights

Your legal team is committed to being your advocate. They protect your legal rights and ensure you are treated fairly, regardless of who is at fault. Lawyers ensure you are not being taken advantage of and staunchly defend you in court.

When to Hire a Car Accident Attorney

It is never too early or late to contact an attorney after a car accident. Many victims contact a lawyer immediately after the accident, which we encourage. However, you can contact lawyers a year or two later to seek compensation.

Immediately After the Accident

Immediately after the car accident, you need to make sure that you call 911, get a police report, and seek medical attention. Take pictures of the accident scene and gather evidence to support your claim.

Once you have all of the details, contact a lawyer. Do this before you file a claim with your insurance company. Once you retain legal counsel, they can work with the insurance company on your behalf, including turning over any relevant information to them.

Legal representation will make sure that you don’t say anything you shouldn’t that could be held against you during your car accident case. Lawyers want to ensure you get maximum compensation, so they advocate on your behalf to make it happen.

Before Speaking With a Claims Adjuster

Insurance companies will try to pay the minimum for a car accident settlement. They will engage insurance adjusters who work for their own interests, not the interests of the car accident victim.

If you hire a lawyer, they can conduct an independent investigation. They will compare their findings with those of the insurance company and advocate for additional compensation.

Ultimately, personal injury lawyers do their best to get you the highest settlement.

If You Are Unsure

Many car accident victims are unsure if they need legal representation. After a car crash, they work with their insurance, and as long as they get their car fixed, they don’t care about additional compensation.

This is a mistake because the personal injury damages can extend far beyond property damage. Even if you overlook immediate injuries, you may still face delayed injuries.

If you are still determining if you need legal representation, consult a lawyer to discuss your options. Consultations are free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by talking to auto accident attorneys.

Book a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Car insurance is intended to protect your vehicle, but sometimes, the harm extends beyond property damages. When you hire experienced Chicago car accident lawyers from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we can help you understand your options and receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Call our Chicago injury law firm at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, [2] Market Watch

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.