Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
After a car accident, you may wonder what your next steps should be. Obviously, you need to pull over and exchange information with the other driver involved, but do you need to get a lawyer involved?
Sometimes it’s a good idea, but it is not always needed. Not every situation requires legal assistance. For example, a minor fender-bender with no injuries can be easily resolved by your insurance company.
Also, you want to keep in mind that a lawyer does not work for free. They will want 30 to 40% of any settlement you receive, so is it worth it? Here are some situations in which you would not need a lawyer for a car accident.
There Were No Injuries
There are situations in which nobody is injured in a car crash. This is typical in parking lot accidents and other crashes at low speeds, such as in heavy traffic. If this is the case, and the vehicle damage is minor, then it probably doesn’t make sense to get a lawyer involved. Just make sure you seek medical attention after an accident because injuries have been known to show up weeks or even months later.
The Insurance Company is Offering a Fair Settlement
It is a common cliche that the insurance company always offers a lowball settlement, but that is not always the case. There are certainly cases where the insurance company plays fair, but if the insurance company does want to settle quickly, you should definitely take some time to think about the offer and what it will cover. If the insurance company is refusing to acknowledge the full extent of your claim, you should discuss your case with an attorney. However, keep in mind that a lawyer will need to improve your results by more than 50% to justify hiring them.
The Math Does Not Make Sense
You want to receive as much money as possible from a car accident settlement, so you need to determine how much your case is worth and if hiring a lawyer is worth it. If you have an older beater car and minor injuries, then there is not a lot at stake.
When Should I Hire a Lawyer?
Here are some situations in which hiring a lawyer would be a good idea after a car accident:
- Serious injuries such as broken bones
- Multiple people were injured
- Effects on your long-term health
- A fatality
- Medical treatment costs more than several thousand dollars
- Non-economic losses like pain and suffering
- There is a dispute over fault
- Discrepancies in communications, such as police reports
- Insurance company is engaging in bad faith
Contact Us Today
A minor car accident can usually be resolved without legal help. However, if someone suffered severe injuries or there was significant damage involved, it may be a good idea to get a lawyer involved.
A Charleston car accident attorney from Wyndham Law Firm, LLC, can answer your questions and give you the advice you need after a crash. We are ready to support you throughout this challenging time. Schedule a consultation with our office today. Contact us via (843) 279-5312 or online here.