When do you Need an Attorney After a Car Accident?
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact point at which you need an attorney after being in a car accident. In general, you will want to consult with an attorney if you or another person has been injured during the accident, if substantial property damage has occurred, or if the crash involves an underinsured or uninsured driver. Minor fender benders may not warrant the expense of working closely with an attorney, but many people would benefit from consulting with an attorney following a car accident. At Utah Accident Solutions, we can help you to get your life back on track following your auto accident, including deciding if you should consult with an attorney or not. Here are a few things to keep in mind about determining if you need an attorney after your car accident.
Determine Compensation
An attorney can help you to determine what compensation you may be eligible for following the accident. If you were injured in an accident caused by the other driver, you may be eligible for many types of compensation, such as lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and many other factors. Working with an attorney will help you to get a more accurate idea regarding the kind of compensation that you may be eligible for, as well as guide you through the process of obtaining that compensation. In addition, this compensation may be important if you have property that was damaged due to the accident.
Gather Evidence for You
Most people don’t have the resources necessary to gather evidence, especially if fault is not immediately apparent from the accident. An attorney will have resources to ensure that evidence can be gathered, such as access to camera footage or other potential records. They will also have the necessary manpower to ensure that the case can be looked at thoroughly. This can go a long way toward helping your case, as well as identifying the existence of evidence that may work against you. Working with an attorney can help you to ensure that you can achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.
Handle Insurance Claims
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. As companies, they want to save as much money as possible, which often means giving you less money than you deserve. Hiring an attorney may be beneficial if you want assistance with handling the claim with the insurance company. This will help to ensure that you will get the insurance money that you are entitled to following your automotive accident. It may also help to expedite the process and get your life back on track more quickly.
If You’ve Been Injured
One of the most important times to work with an attorney after an automotive accident is if you have been injured in the accident. Keep in mind that not all crash related injuries will be immediately apparent. It is common for injuries to develop over the days and even weeks following the accident. It is highly recommended that you visit a healthcare provider following a car accident, even if you don’t think that you have been injured.
By working with a personal injury attorney, you will be able to ensure that you will be protected throughout the process after the accident. For example, your attorney will be able to ensure that the party responsible for paying your medical expenses does so. Another important benefit of working with an attorney if you’ve been injured is that it will allow you to take more time to focus on your recovery. Your attorney can handle a great many of the unpleasant tasks, such as negotiating with the insurance company and filing necessary paperwork with the appropriate parties.
Help with Potential Settlements
It is common for lawsuits surrounding auto accidents to be settled outside of court. However, it is important to note that the party being sued will want to save themselves as much money as possible. Working with an attorney for help with potential settlements will prevent you from being taken advantage of and ensure that you get a fair settlement. They can also provide you with guidance regarding whether it would be better to proceed with the lawsuit or accept the offered settlement outside of court.
Any Time you Disagree with the Police Report
Much of what the insurance companies will look at will revolve around what is listed in the police report. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine precisely what happened, especially if the police officer filing the report didn’t personally witness the accident. If you disagree with the police report, it will be extremely important to ensure that you consult with an attorney. It will be equally important to ensure that you never admit fault.
If the Crash Involves an Underinsured or Uninsured Driver
Automotive insurance is a legal requirement in most states and financial responsibility is a requirement in every state. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always mean that every other driver on the road has the appropriate insurance. If the accident involves a driver that is underinsured or uninsured, it may be time to contact an attorney. In these situations, even if the other driver is at fault, you may still have to go through your own insurance company for compensation. When this happens, you are often responsible for paying the applicable deductible, despite being at no fault for the accident. By working with an attorney, you will receive guidance through the process to help protect yourself and get your life back to normal quickly.
Auto accidents never happen at a convenient time, and it is essential to be able to get your life back on track as quickly as possible. Working with an attorney can often make your recovery process much simpler, though it is not always necessary. If you are unsure of the best way to approach the aftermath of your auto accident, our experienced professionals at Utah Accident Solutions are ready and willing to help! Contact us at Utah Accident Solutions to learn more about how to tell if you need an attorney following your auto accident.5
