If you found yourself involved in a fender bender recently, you are probably wondering if it’s worth hiring a lawyer. You may think the accident was no big deal and not worth the headaches of dealing with the situation. But there’s also the possibility that the accident could lead to a legal battle. When this happens, you definitely need a lawyer on your side.
In this article, we will talk about some of the instances where you should hire a lawyer. We will also mention some of the scenarios where you can get by without the assistance of a lawyer. Either way, we will cover the various situations that most often occur so that you know what to do if you find yourself in one of these predicaments.
There are some situations when it’s blatantly obvious that you need to hire a lawyer. And yes, in some cases, it could even be a minor car accident where you will need some legal assistance. Believe it or not, minor car accidents can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage that you don’t want to be on the hook for if it wasn’t your fault (even if your insurance covers it).
Times You Need A Lawyer For Minor Car Accidents
Not every car accident requires a lawyer. There are some fender benders that are truly simple and civil in nature. It may be as easy as exchanging information and allowing the insurance companies to handle things.
There is no cookie-cutter answer to let you know if you should or should not hire a lawyer for your car accident. As we mentioned above, there are many different components that make up a car accident. So even though it may be a minor car accident, it’s possible that something occurred (like a major injury or a question about fault) that will require the knowledge and expertise of a lawyer.
If you were the victim of a car accident here in the state of Oregon, contact us today for a free case evaluation . You can also reach us directly at: 1-800-285-8678. Our team of highly skilled personal injury attorneys has over 100 years of combined experience. We will work hard to ensure that you come away with the compensation that you deserve!Home | Personal Injury | Car Accidents Injury Lawyer | Do I Need To Hire A Lawyer For A Minor Car Accident
Do You Need A Lawyer For A Minor Car Accident In Louisiana?
The short answer to if you should hire an attorney after a minor car accident is yes. In fact, the question “do I need to hire a lawyer for a minor car accident, ” doesn’t have as much to do with the accident as it does with your injuries. If you suffered an injury, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney as soon as you can.
After a minor car accident that results in minor damages, it may be tempting to ignore the situation and just head home. However, if you don’t file a police report or exchange information with the at-fault driver, it may come back to hurt you down the road.
Along with not having information recorded about the incident, in Florida, failure to report an accident is considered a non-moving traffic infraction. While it is not a criminal act, it may still result in a fine.
Do You Need A Lawyer For A Minor Car Crash?
Also, after you have left the scene of an accident, it’s much more challenging to get all the facts straight and recall the information accurately. Even the details of minor accidents can get somewhat murky. Because of this, it’s best to contact the authorities before you leave the accident scene.
Besides the legalities of the situation, not reporting the accident may result in you ruining a possible claim you have against the at-fault driver. Even if there’s no damage to your vehicle, this is the case.
Studies have proven that there are many injuries an individual may experience in a minor car accident that won’t appear for several days after the incident. For example, if you are rear-ended and barely jolted, you may feel fine right after the accident. There are no obvious injuries and no signs of pain.
Car Accident Lawyer & Auto Injury Attorneys
Unfortunately, many people view “injuries” as obvious issues, such as head trauma, lacerations, or broken bones. They think of more severe and life-altering conditions. You don’t think about the impact of contusions, stretched ligaments, or strained tendons.
If you were hit from behind, there’s a possibility that your body moved forward, your neck snapped back, or you moved forward suddenly. If this happens, there’s a chance that you will wake up in the next few days after the accident with serious neck and back pain. An accident results in those involved being full of adrenaline. This is part of the reason you don’t notice the pain or injuries you have sustained right away. Most Florida car accident attorneys will encourage you to go to the doctor as soon as you can after an accident to make sure you aren’t dealing with hidden or delayed injuries.
If you decide to leave the scene and don’t file a report with the authorities or your insurance provider (or, in some cases, both), you are going to find it challenging to take the case to court. This is the case even in situations where you have a doctor or another medical professional testifying about your injuries.
Choosing The Best Car Accident Lawyer
A soft tissue injury will cause damage to your ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Even accidents that occur at a low speed can generate a large amount of force. A driver may hit their brakes, which can cause the vehicle to stop suddenly and jerk the neck forcefully back and forth. If this occurs, it may result in whiplash. Most whiplash injuries don’t produce symptoms for a few days. When they do appear, you may experience:
If another driver hits you, it’s possible that you will bump your head on the steering wheel and not even notice it happened. However, if this situation occurs during your accident, you may suffer a head injury, such as a concussion. Some concussions can be serious; however, the symptoms may take a day or so to appear. Some of the most common symptoms that occur if you experience a concussion include:
It’s important to note that both concussions and soft tissue injuries commonly occur in minor car accidents. Both injuries may require you to stay in the hospital, imaging testing, multiple doctor visits, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and more.
Should I Hire A Lawyer After A Minor Car Accident In Philadelphia, Pa?
It’s clear that the cost of treatment for even a minor car accident can add up quickly. Because of this, it’s a good idea to get medical attention right away after you are involved in an accident, even if you don’t believe you suffered an injury. If you settle the claim too quickly and accept the first settlement offer made, then you are eliminating your ability to recover additional compensation for injuries that are discovered down the road.
It is best to go to the doctor and have your injuries documented right after the accident. This is going to allow you to have the documentation and proof needed to hold the other driver responsible for the accident and your injuries.
In some minor accidents, you may decide to exchange information with the other party involved in the accident, shake one another’s hands, and go about your day. You never report the incident to the authorities.
Attorney Fees And Costs (car Accidents And Personal Injury Cases)
However, a few weeks later, you receive a summon to come to court because the other driver filed a claim stating the accident was your fault. While you may know for a fact that the accident was the other person’s fault and that the injuries and damages they are claiming aren’t accurate, if you didn’t report the accident to the police, you don’t have a record of what occurred. In this situation, it turns into a situation of who has the more convincing story.
While suits like this usually don’t get very far, especially if both parties leave the scene, you will still have to deal with it. This includes going to court and presenting your argument. You can avoid this by contacting the police and an accident attorney right away.
Another tip to keep in mind is that you should never admit fault for the accident (in any way) or let the other party know about your policy limits.
Should I Contact A Lawyer After A Minor Car Accident?
If you stayed at the scene of a minor car accident with the other party involved and filed a police report, you are off to a good start. At this point, you may file a claim with your insurance company, receive a settlement, and move on with your life.
However, sometimes, your PIP insurance won’t be enough to fix your vehicle and handle medical bills (especially if you are dealing with a delayed injury).
Remember, insurance companies are businesses. This means they are trying to protect their bottom line rather than your best interests. If you accept the insurance settlement, then you will also be signing documentation that states you are giving up the right to future legal action. While some people believe that an insurance company is going to provide them with a fair settlement, this is usually not the case. That’s because they want
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