Are you wondering when to hire an attorney after a car accident? Have you been involved in an accident, and it doesn’t seem like you have been taken care of properly by the insurance company?
We’ve all seen the billboards and the commercials featuring attorneys who help people involved in car accidents. Many of the advertisements claim hundreds of thousands of dollars were awarded to clients. However, you may be skeptical of these. Yes, these attorneys and many others help people involved in car accidents, but it is crucial to understand the details involved.
Not every car accident is a case for an attorney, and most of the time the insurance company does appropriately take care of the people involved.
For the times when that isn’t the case, you may need to seek legal action.
To clarify this for you, let’s look at the complications involved with car accidents and how it affects you.
You should hire an attorney after a car accident when:
- A person died from the accident.
Any time death is involved in an accident; an investigation must take place. An attorney could help you get restitution.
- You experienced broken bones, a hospital stay, or your long-term health is affected.
If you are seriously injured, you’ll likely need medical attention, maybe even for an extended time. An attorney can help you work with the insurance company to pay for your care.
- The accident happened in a construction zone or other sensitive area.
Construction zones and other questionable areas are often under the coverage of special insurance in case of accidents.
- Your medical treatment costs are very high (more than $2,000).
One of the common reasons you may need to hire an attorney after a car accident is to get the insurance company to cover all the medical costs involved.
- The paperwork, like the police report or insurance communication, is not accurate.
Sometimes the police report or the insurance’s report on the accident requires further investigation. An attorney can make sure you are taken care of and not taken advantage of.
- The insurance company is not cooperating or is following bad practices.
Some insurance companies may have a reputation for avoiding payouts or fighting against providing the proper coverage. An attorney can take legal action in your favor to get what you deserve.
- You have to miss significant time off of work, school, or normal necessary activities.
Time off work due to an accident is a common reason to hire an attorney after a car accident. Many costs and expenses can accrue, and it may be challenging to work with insurance or other parties to cover all of those costs.
- You experienced losses not related to money like emotional trauma, pain and suffering, or loss of companionship.
An attorney can help you accurately calculate the economic loss associated with pain and suffering.
- There is a dispute over who is at fault for the accident.
Police reports don’t always tell an accurate story. An attorney may be needed if you are wrongfully accused of being at fault in an accident.
- The accident harmed more than one person.
Anytime there are multiple people involved in a car accident, things get complicated. Hire an attorney to make sure you are protected from wrongful action.
Do Your Research
If you think you need to hire an attorney after a car accident, then do your research on attorneys near you. Choosing a reputable attorney who has your best interest at heart is crucial. Some qualities to look for include experience, expertise, reputation, integrity, and compassion.
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