Many people may balk at the idea of hiring a lawyer after a car accident. Some assume their injuries will go away quickly. Others realize they might be entitled to seek compensation, but are worried about the cost of an attorney. You should get a car accident lawyer following any serious vehicle collision.
Your attorney can help you protect your legal rights after a crash. This is important, as the cost of an accident is often steep. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the cost of motor vehicle accidents in 2010 was more than $242 billion. This number has only grown since. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that more than $55 billion was spent on medical bills in fatal traffic accidents in 2018.
An attorney can help you pursue compensation to recover the costs of a car accident. An attorney can also help you navigate any questions about who was liable for your accident. If you are unsure if you need an attorney following your crash, consider if any of the following factors apply to you.
Your Accident Involved Bodily Injuries or Death
If your car accident involved injuries—particularly fatal injuries—you should speak with an attorney right away. Bodily injury and wrongful death claims are more complicated to pursue than minor property damage cases, and they can have lasting repercussions. In some cases, you could even face liability for another person’s injuries.
An attorney could review your injury claim and advise you on your legal options. What’s more, they could evaluate the case to determine if you face potential liability for another person’s losses. The assistance of legal counsel during this aspect of an injury claim is vital.
For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777
Liability Is Disputed
It is one thing to try and resolve a car accident claim when the other driver admits fault. It is a different thing entirely to take on a case where the at-fault driver blames you for the crash. If liability is disputed in your accident, you should always speak with an attorney right away. Litigating your own claim is never easy, but facing the possibility of a claim for compensation against you could result in serious consequences. It is best not to take on a car accident case with disputed liability on your own.
The Other Driver Is Uninsured
One of the most frustrating outcomes following a car accident is learning that the at-fault driver does not have insurance. In some cases, insured drivers might also lack the amount of coverage needed to pay your bills. If you were struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you should speak with an attorney right away.
Thankfully, you could still have some options following a crash with an uninsured motorist. If your insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, you could file a claim for your compensation. The same is true if you opted in for uninsured motorist coverage. If you do not have either type of coverage, your attorney could pursue a lawsuit directly against the other driver.
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There Are Multiple Parties in the Accident
A collision between two motorists can be complex on its own. This is especially true in cases where injuries are involved. However, a multi-party accident is substantially more complicated. An accident with three or more parties could involve three or more insurance policies. With so many insurance companies involved, resolving a claim could be difficult.
Multi-car accidents can also present challenges with identifying the at-fault party. In many cases, more than one driver could be responsible for causing the crash. An attorney can help you determine the at-fault party and hold them accountable.
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You Have Received a Settlement Offer from the Other Side
If the other side has made a settlement offer, you should not consider accepting it without first talking to an attorney. A lawyer can help determine a value for your case and guide you in the process of accepting or negotiating offers. With an attorney by your side, you could avoid settling your case for less than it is worth.
Insurance companies understand that they are at an advantage when dealing directly with individuals. Their insurance adjusters are trained negotiators that could try to push you to accept an offer quickly or for a lower value than your claim is worth. In some cases, insurers could attempt to blame you for the accident. Your attorney can advocate on your behalf so that you do not have to speak directly with the insurers.
Recover Compensation Following a Car Accident
You may still be wondering when you should get a car accident lawyer. The good news is that you could ask an attorney yourself about what is the best option for your claim. The attorneys of Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. offer free consultations for vehicle accident claims. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and advise you on how we can help.
To learn more, call (317) 720-3229 to schedule a free consultation as soon as possible.
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