Realistically speaking, a car accident can bring a lot of questions. This is especially true if you have no idea what steps to take right after the collision. But, when it comes to asking who’s at fault or who will be financially responsible for all the expenses, you may consider having a lawyer who can help you deal with the situation. Although there are instances wherein you don’t need legal help, contacting a lawyer should be your top priority if you experience the following situations:
When The Car Accident Injuries Caused A Long-Term Or Permanent Disability
Being seriously injured in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, especially if it causes a long-term or permanent disability. Aside from not being able to work and enjoy the things you used to do, you may have to pay for expensive treatments and therapies.
When this happens, you should hire a good car accident lawyer to help you get compensated for the harm done against you. You can seek their help in filing an injury lawsuit in court against the at-fault party to recover the costs of the medical treatment and care for your injury and disability. Using their knowledge and expertise, they can improve your chances of getting the financial recovery you deserve right after the accident.
When You Need Some Help With The Legwork
Typically, there are several things going on with negotiating with the insurance company and filing a lawsuit in court. After the accident, you may be advised to get started with the legwork; as such, you should have a lawyer to do everything for you.
For example, when you’ve decided to negotiate with the insurance adjuster, the lawyer can assist you in drafting a settlement demand letter. But, when you fail to settle the matter, they can take care of the filing of the necessary paperwork to start a lawsuit. These can include getting the necessary evidence and gathering the police reports, medical records, witness statements, and other relevant information.
When You Deal With Settlement Talks
Again, most car accident cases are resolved before going to trial, which means dealing with some settlement talks with the insurance company to reach a fair and equitable offer. However, there are instances wherein the insurance company will deliberately diminish or deny your claim for money reasons.
When this happens, you shouldn’t hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer to represent you in the negotiation. By having a lawyer on your side, the insurance company will less likely do things that are violative of your rights as an injured victim. Plus, they can help you get a reasonable amount of settlement offer for your injuries.
When You Need To Determine The True Extent Of Your Claim
When you’re seeking compensation, it’s important to calculate the true extent of your claim to make sure you know what to expect throughout the process. However, unless you’re a legal professional, you need the assistance of a lawyer to do the determination for you. They have a reliable network of professionals who can help you.
For example, they may have known some medical practitioners who can provide some insights as to the extent of your claim. They may examine your injuries and determine how seriously injured you are by the car accident. By doing this, it’ll be much easier for you to figure out the amount of compensation you rightfully deserve.
When You Need To Comply With The Procedural Requirements Of The Case, Including Deadlines
Apart from the paperwork, starting a personal injury lawsuit claim arising from a car accident comes with some important procedural requirements, including the strict deadlines. But, since you’re not a lawyer yourself, you may not know the implications of these critical deadlines for your case.
Because of such, you need someone in the legal profession who can advise you about the deadlines involved in most personal injury cases. They can help you make sure you’ll not miss this deadline, which is known as the statute of limitations; else, you’ll waive your right to run after the at-fault party forever. Thus, if you want to do this whole thing right, hiring a personal injury lawyer can be an excellent idea.
Bottom Line
As mentioned, sustaining injuries in a car accident can be very frustrating. Being injured can affect your whole life physically, mentally, and, more importantly, financially. But, if you’re looking to minimize the implications of the accident, the situations listed above will require you to secure a lawyer on your side from the very beginning. Lastly, having an experienced and trustworthy legal counsel working on your behalf is crucial in getting a fair and reasonable resolution for your case