Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?
Minor car accidents and fender benders happen very frequently. In fact, nearly 6 million accidents were reported to the police across the country in 2022. Some of these accidents resulted in only property damage, and others involved only minor injuries.
You might be wondering, “Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?” The answer often depends on a few different factors. The extent of the property damage and the specifics of your injuries will play a big role in your decision.
It is possible to file an insurance claim and recover damages on your own without the help of an attorney. However, hiring a car accident lawyer can offer many benefits–even after a minor car accident. Dive into all the details below to learn whether you should hire an attorney after your accident.
Important Facts About Minor Car Accidents
A minor accident might seem trivial, especially if you are on your way home after a long day at work. It might be tempting to just be on your way and not even notify the police. However, there are a few things you should know about car accidents–even minor ones.
Kentucky law requires that you notify the police of any accidents involving injuries or death. If the vehicle is inoperable, you must also notify the police. Additionally, you must file a report with the state police if there is more than $500 in property damage or any injuries.
In some situations, you might not even feel your injury until the next day. After an accident, your adrenaline is pumping, and that can mask the pain associated with an injury. Back and neck injuries are notorious for being much more painful in the days following an accident.
For these reasons, you should always notify the police when you are involved in an accident. Additionally, you should seek medical treatment for any injuries resulting from the accident as soon as you are aware that you are hurt. Do not try to “tough it out” and recover without medical treatment. You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but failing to seek immediate treatment could leave you stuck paying all your own medical bills.
Signs You Should Hire a Car Accident Attorney
Although you might not need a car accident attorney in every situation, there are some obvious signs that you need the help of an attorney. Consider seeking help if any of the following apply:
- Severe injuries: If you have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries, you should consult an attorney. These types of injuries can require a lifetime of treatment, and you need an attorney to help accurately value your claim.
- Questions about liability: If it is unclear who is responsible for the accident, you likely need an attorney. The insurance company may try to place blame on you to avoid paying the claim, and an attorney can help investigate the accident to determine who was at fault.
- Multiple parties: Accident cases can get complex when multiple parties are involved. Each party may have some responsibility, and they might have to share the cost of your damages.
- Big truck involvement: If a big truck is involved in an accident, you need an attorney’s help. These cases can be extremely complex, and trucking companies often have teams of adjusters and attorneys fighting against you.
- You are unsure of legal procedure: Not everyone knows how to handle insurance claims, but that should not stop you from getting the compensation you are entitled to. Hire an attorney if you do not know how to pursue a claim.
- Uncooperative insurance company: The at-fault party’s insurance company sometimes will just not cooperate. They may try to minimize the extent of your injuries or refuse to pay the claim altogether. In that situation, get an attorney who will fight to protect your rights.
The situations described above are typical situations encountered in minor accidents almost every day. If any of these apply to you, make sure that you hire an attorney to help you get a full recovery.
How an Attorney Can Help You After a Minor Car Accident
Some people wonder, “Should I hire a lawyer for a minor car accident?” They often mistakenly believe that an attorney can only help in a large and complex accident case. That is simply not true. There are many ways that an accident attorney can help you even after a minor car accident. Some of those include:
- Handling all discussions and paperwork with insurance adjusters
- Fully investigating the accident to determine liability
- Connecting you with quality healthcare providers who will treat your injuries
- Assessing your injuries and medical records to value your claim accurately
- Determining the details of any insurance coverage related to the accident
- Ensuring your claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement for your damages
- Navigating the legal processes and fighting for you in court when necessary
One of the biggest things your attorney can do is provide you with legal advice on how to proceed with your claim. An experienced attorney can help you accurately assess the value of your claim, and they can use their experience to determine when the insurance company is trying to lowball you. An attorney’s help can prove invaluable to recovering full compensation for your injuries.
Choosing The Right Attorney For Your Case
If you think you would benefit from an attorney’s help, it is important to choose the right one for your case. There are several things you should look for when choosing an attorney. These include:
- Location: Although you are not likely to visit your attorney’s office every day, there will be times when you need to drop by. Location can play a big role in your decision to hire an attorney.
- Experience: You want an attorney with the experience necessary to win your case. Make sure that the attorney you hire has experience handling cases like yours. For instance, big truck wrecks and motorcycle wrecks are very different from traditional car accident cases. Similarly, minor injury lawyers may not have the experience necessary to handle a case involving severe injuries.
- Track record: You want to hire a winner, so select an attorney with a track record of success. Most attorneys offer free consultations, and you can use this time to ask the attorney about their success rate in other cases.
- Reviews: Choose an attorney that other clients enjoy working with. If you find an attorney with nothing but bad reviews, you should likely steer clear of them.
While you might not always need to hire an attorney after a minor car accident, it is at least worth having a conversation with one. Most car accident attorneys offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by at least having the conversation. You might be surprised to learn how much they can help even after a minor accident.
Contact the Louisville Personal Injury Law Firm of HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Louisville today. We have two convenient locations in Louisville and Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
We proudly serve Jefferson County, Kenton County, and its surrounding areas:
HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers – Louisville, KY Office
600 W Main St Ste 200
Louisville, KY, 40202
(502) 540-5700
HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Mitchell, KY Office
2380 Grandview Dr
Fort Mitchell, KY, 41017
(859) 578-4444