Even if you are not hurt in a minor car accident, you should still hire an attorney. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes and ensure that you receive fair compensation for the accident-related expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be wondering why hiring an attorney is a good idea. Read on to find out why it is beneficial. Moreover, you’ll learn more about the benefits of hiring an attorney after a minor car accident.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney After an Accident
Even if you are not injured in a minor car accident, it is wise to hire an attorney to help you get the best settlement possible. An attorney understands insurance companies’ tricks to avoid paying out a full settlement. Hiring an attorney will help you avoid these mistakes and get fair compensation for your accident-related expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The following are some reasons why you should hire an attorney after a minor car accident.
Even if the accident involved only minor damage to your car, it is essential to get yourself checked out because you may not even know that you are injured. The accident could turn into a legal dispute, and you may need the assistance of an attorney. You should also exchange driver’s information, take pictures of both vehicles, and get yourself checked for injuries. Then, call a car accident attorney to discuss your options.
Damage and Injuries May Not Be Completely Apparent
Some minor injuries may not be visible immediately. If an accident leaves you in shock, seek immediate medical attention. Injuries may take a few days or weeks to appear even if it looks like no harm was done. Accident-related health issues may last for many months or even years: contact 911 or your insurance company to seek assistance if you think you’ve suffered an injury. Your attorney can advise you on any legal time limits.
Take pictures of the scene. After filing a police report, it’s worth taking pictures and noting what happened. Also, try to get the phone numbers of any witnesses to help you with your claim. If the accident was a minor one, call law enforcement for assistance. Law enforcement can dispatch a medical team to assess your car and any injured parties. A doctor can confirm the extent of your injuries.
Help Determine All Potential Damages
Photographs of the accident scene are a great way to preserve evidence of damages. If possible, take pictures with your cell phone or a simple camera. While it may seem excessive, it is a good idea to take more pictures than you need. You never know what may turn up later. The more photos you have, the easier it will be to prove which driver is at fault in a car accident.
After a minor car accident, exchanging information with the other driver is vital and gathering evidence of the collision. Make sure to take pictures of the damaged car and take notes about the speed, road conditions, and direction of each vehicle. Some insurance companies even have free smartphone apps you can download to record details of the accident.
Insurance Negotiation and Representation in Court
If you’ve been injured in a minor car accident, you may wonder how to obtain an adequate monetary settlement from the insurance company. The truth is, the insurance company has one goal: making money for its shareholders. And because they’re not going to have to pay out much, they tend to settle out of court. The key to obtaining a monetary settlement from an insurance company is to negotiate with them.
An insurance adjuster will likely want to speak to you and ask for personal information. Be sure to speak to an attorney, as the adjuster may try to use your own words against you. Even if you think you’ve suffered no injuries, you should still be cautious before speaking to the insurance company. An aggressive insurance adjuster will try to get you to record a settlement over the phone, which will not stand up in court.
An unrepresented claimant won’t have the financial resources to hire a legal expert. They won’t have the resources to hire the best experts who can accurately calculate the damages you suffered. An experienced insurance lawyer will also have the financial resources to go toe-to-toe with the largest insurance companies. Even if the insurance company’s initial offer doesn’t cover everything, it’s best to work with a lawyer to maximize the claim.
Possible Injuries You May Have Suffered
Even minor injuries can become worse over time. Minor injuries can develop hours, days, or even weeks after an accident. Seeking medical attention will help you document your injuries and your medical costs. Your insurance company may also require documentation of medical bills if you cannot pay them.
You may have difficulty recovering compensation when you are injured in an automobile accident. You may be under the impression that minor car accidents don’t result in major injuries. But the truth is that even minor car accidents can cause significant injuries. Some of these injuries, such as whiplash, are compensable under your state’s personal injury laws. Your insurance company may even have to cover these injuries.
Another common injury resulting from a minor car accident is a concussion. These injuries occur when you hit the windshield or other parts of a vehicle. The impact can rip off layers of skin. Lacerations may be minor or serious, but severe lacerations may affect the brain or the circulatory system. In severe cases, the victim could be permanently disabled. Even if you are careful and never speed, there is always a risk of an accident.
See a Doctor After the Car Accident
Even if the accident causes only minimal damage and injuries, you should see a doctor after it. Some injuries, such as a broken bone or open wound, are immediately apparent. Others, however, will take longer to show up. If you’ve been in a minor car accident, you should see a doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. These injuries may include soft tissue damage or a brain injury.
If you’re unsure whether or not you need to see a doctor after a minor car accident, your primary care physician can evaluate you and run tests to determine the nature of your injuries. They can then determine the appropriate treatment for your condition. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is important because minor injuries can progress into more serious ones over time. Also, it’s important to follow up with follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best treatment possible.
If you don’t need immediate medical attention, you can wait a day or two to get an appointment. However, many primary care providers won’t see you after a minor car accident unless you’ve been seriously injured. Moreover, many people don’t have the time to make an appointment with their primary care provider immediately after an accident. To avoid this, mention your symptoms as soon as possible. A doctor can check your injuries and may give you pain medication to help you manage the discomfort.
Damages Recovered From the Help of an Attorney
You can still claim compensation if you’ve been involved in a minor car accident and were not injured. Even if you were not injured, the at-fault driver’s negligence caused the accident, and they were at fault. A car accident attorney can secure evidence to support your claim and can negotiate a fair settlement for you.
If the accident caused the death of a family member, you could file a wrongful death claim. These claims can include compensation for funeral expenses and loss of consortium. If you have lost a loved one due to the accident, your attorney can write a demand letter to the at-fault motorist’s insurance company, laying out the facts and demanding compensation. If the insurance company disputes your demand, they will likely respond with a counteroffer to reduce your financial burden.
The insurance provider may refuse to pay for your medical bills and repairs. If this happens, you should retain the help of an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim, including eyewitness testimony, a photo or video of the accident site, and your medical records. Without the help of an attorney, you could be facing a long battle with your insurance provider.
Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help
If you’ve been in a car accident and have suffered minor injuries, you should still hire a personal injury attorney. Further, soft tissue injuries may not show up right away. Our car accident attorneys are here to help and will gather all the necessary information you need to make a successful car accident claim.
