If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you may seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses through a car accident claim. Retaining a car accident lawyer can improve your chances of a positive outcome. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing a car accident lawyer is handling your claim so you can focus on your own recovery.
So, how do you know when to get an attorney for a car accident?
In this post, we’ll explore this question in two different ways:
- What are the circumstances in which you would benefit most from having a lawyer?
- How soon after your accident should you retain one?
When to Get a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Case
If another person’s negligence caused the accident that injured you, you may have grounds for a car accident claim. Here are some situations when having an attorney handle your claim proves beneficial:
Your Accident Involved Serious Injuries
If you or a family member suffered serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, hospitalization, and supportive services, having a lawyer handle your claim ensures you receive appropriate compensation to cover all your medical needs, not just now but in the future.
Serious injuries may result in long-term or permanent disability, rehabilitation, special equipment for mobility, or accommodations to your home or vehicle.
An at-fault party shouldn’t stick you with paying for the treatments and services your injuries require.
Your Injuries Prevent You from Returning to Your Job
Serious injuries can also prevent you or your loved one from working and earning a living during recovery. You may recover the income you would have earned during this time, including sick leave or medical leave benefits provided by your employer.
Some injuries may prevent someone from returning to their job in the same capacity and may lose some of their earning potential. In this case, the injured person may recover compensation for the loss of future earning capacity.
The Accident Resulted in Fatal Injuries
Losing a family member in a fatal car accident is heartbreaking. And while no amount of money will take away your loss, surviving family members may seek justice on their loved one’s behalf through a wrongful death claim. These claims cover funeral and burial costs, medical bills related to the decedent’s final injury, and any financial support they would have contributed to the family.
If Liability Is Disputed
The at-fault party and their insurance company may dispute liability after car accidents, especially when they must cover large medical bills and income lost due to the resulting injuries.
In some cases, when more than one party’s negligence contributed to the accident, shared liability can affect the amount of compensation the injured party receives. An insurance company may argue you hold some blame in an accident and reduce the compensation they owe you.
A car accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate the accident to establish liability and clear up any disputes about fault.
Multiple Parties are Involved
In some cases, you may not recognize some of the multiple parties. For example, if the other driver was working at the time of the collision, a skilled car accident attorney can identify the employer and hold them responsible. Or, you may hold the car manufacturer liable if a vehicle defect played a role in the accident.
A lawyer can assess all the potential causes of an accident and pursue compensation from all who may be liable, which can maximize the injured person’s compensation.
Unfamiliarity with the Legal Process
Lawyers undergo years of legal training and hone their skills under experienced mentors to understand the intricacies of personal injury law. They know how to gather the evidence to support a claim for compensation and have the negotiation skills needed to face off with insurance companies more focused on their bottom lines than on giving injured persons the compensation they deserve.
A lawyer’s understanding of the legal process saves you time and stress at a time in your life when you should be focusing on your recovery.
You Must Deal with Insurance Companies
Injured persons and their families deal with overwhelming stress and fear of the unknown after an accident. It’s impossible to know how much the injuries will affect the injured person and their family.
An insurance company may offer money to settle a claim quickly during this difficult time. Only accept a settlement after speaking to a lawyer who can help you evaluate your claim.
If you accept an offer from the insurance company, you may waive your right to seek more compensation if you find out that the initial offer doesn’t fully cover all your medical needs or income you lost due to time off from work.
A lawyer can assess your damages to determine a more accurate claim value, provide evidence to support your claim, and counter insurance company tactics to short-change you. If the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, your lawyer can take them to court and advocate on your behalf.
When Should You Hire a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Claim?
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a car crash that results in injuries. The sooner you retain a lawyer, the sooner they can build a strong case to support your claim.
Car accident cases that cannot resolve through negotiations can go to court, but states have strict deadlines by which plaintiffs must file these cases. For example, Nebraska’s statute of limitations for car accidents is typically four years from the injury. If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you have just two years from their death to file a wrongful death claim.
While some rare exceptions can shorten or lengthen this deadline, you can only pursue compensation through the court if you file your lawsuit within this timeframe.
Four years may seem like a long time to file a case in civil court, but strong cases take time to build. Over time, supporting evidence can grow more difficult to obtain, making it harder to prove your case.
What Impact Does a Car Accident Have on an Injured Person and Their Family?
The impact of a car accident goes beyond the physical injuries, though these most often come to mind. Recovery may require hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term medical care. In some cases, you may suffer permanent and debilitating injuries.
However, a severe car accident can also have significant emotional, financial, and practical effects on the injured person and their family members.
Car accidents often result in emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and a fear of driving or being in a vehicle again. Family members may also experience emotional distress from seeing their loved one injured or dealing with the aftermath.
Substantial medical expenses can include hospital bills, doctor’s fees, prescription medications, and rehabilitation costs. Lost income due to time off work during recovery can create financial strain. Injuries to a primary breadwinner may compromise the family’s financial stability.
The injured person may have limited mobility or require assistive devices, affecting their independence and daily routine. Family members may need to provide care and support, which can disrupt their routines and responsibilities.
Relationships within the family can become strained under the stress and emotional toll of the accident. Caregivers may experience caregiver burnout. The injured person may feel guilt or frustration for their injuries’ impacts on their loved ones.
Individuals and families affected by a car accident may need medical and emotional support. Rehabilitation, counseling, and support groups can help in the recovery process. Legal guidance from an experienced car accident attorney can ensure the family gets compensation and financial relief.
Berry Law’s Team Provides You With Multiple Attorney Perspectives
How Can a Lawyer Help With Your Car Accident Case?
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident due to another person’s carelessness or negligence, you may seek compensation for your medical bills and other damages through a car accident claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can save you time, reduce stress, and improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
The personal injury attorneys at Berry Law offer free consultations during which we will listen carefully to your legal concerns, ask questions about your accident to gather more details and assess your case. Based on the information you provide, we will offer legal advice, explain your rights, and discuss potential legal strategies.
Following your consultation, you should better understand your legal options. Take some time to consider the information we provide before deciding whether you want to proceed with our services. If you hire us, we promise to provide you with the same quality counsel and trial representation we’ve offered clients since 1965.
