If you’re wondering as to whether or not to hire a lawyer for a minor accident, then we’ve prepared all the information you need here. When it comes to car accidents, even seemingly minor ones, it’s always a good idea to consult with a lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options after an accident, and can represent you in negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company. If you’ve been in a car accident, there are a few reasons why hiring a lawyer may be especially important even if the accident is small. According to the Bureau of Labor about 13 car accidents occur every minute. Without a doubt, knowing what your options are is critical, whether the accident is minor or not.
Minor accidents can still lead to serious injuries.
Even if your accident was relatively minor, you may still be dealing with pain and other injuries. A lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for any medical expenses or other losses suffered as a result of your accident. For example, spinal injuries are sometimes not immediately apparent after an accident, but can cause serious long-term problems. Long term problems that are not always identified early can be:
- Spinal injuries
- Disc hernias
- Nerve damage
- Ligament or tendon tears
- Joint damage
And much more.
Insurance companies may try to take advantage of you.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. They will often try to offer you a minimal settlement or deny your claim altogether. A lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and protect your rights. A lawyer can definitely help with a minor car accident as sometimes minor damage to you may been seen as an easy or fast solution when in fact your long term health is at play (see above).
The legal process can be complicated.
Navigating the legal process after a car accident can be difficult, especially if you’re not familiar with it. A lawyer can guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. This is because there are a lot of potential variables involved, such as insurance claims, property damage, and injuries. A lawyer can guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
You may have a limited time to file a claim.
There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims in most states. If you miss the deadline, you could be barred from ever getting compensation. A lawyer can make sure your claim is filed on time and help you explore other options if it’s not.
That being said, we helped a past client who had been told he was at fault A YEAR BEFORE CONTACTING US. We managed to help him and get compensation. Regardless, the sooner you reach out to us, even if it’s a minor car accident, the better we can help you.
You may need to go to court.
If the other driver denies responsibility or the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, you may need to take your case to court. A lawyer can represent you in court and help you get the best possible outcome. The court process can be complicated even in minor car accidents. When a car accident case goes to court, various things happen. The first is that lawyers for each side will investigate the accident and gather evidence. This may include talking to witnesses, reviewing medical records, and more. The next step is filing motions. These are legal documents that ask the court to make a ruling on some issue related to the case. For example, one motion might ask the court to exclude certain evidence from the trial. The next step is discovery. This is when each side can request information and documents from the other side. After discovery, there is usually a pretrial conference. This is a meeting between the judge and the lawyers to discuss the case and see if it can be settled before trial. If the case cannot be settled, it will go to trial. At trial, each side will present its evidence and argument to the jury. The jury will then decide who should win the case.
You may be entitled to more compensation than you think.
There are many types of damages that can be awarded in a car accident case, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
And more.
So should I hire a lawyer for a minor accident?
In a minor car accident, a lawyer may be able to help if there is pain, suffering or emotional distress. If you’ve been in a car accident, even a minor one, hiring a lawyer should be one of your first steps if you feel that there are damages that your insurer is not taking into account. A lawyer can help you protect your rights, understand your options, and get the compensation you deserve. The recommendation by most car accident attorneys is to err on the side of caution and to talk to a lawyer if you feel you’d like insight into your case.