Millions of vehicles drive U.S. roads daily. With this substantial number of vehicles on the roadways, it is reasonable to believe countless preoccupied, fatigued, inexperienced, and negligent drivers are behind the wheel.
Accidents occur regularly. In Alabama alone, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 138,827 car accidents in 2020. Some were minor collisions that caused insignificant damage. Others were major collisions that caused severe injuries and death.
Based on these facts, it is possible you may have or will be involved in an accident at some point. This was the case for a Timberlake and League client, Christy, when she reached out to us with one of our most frequently asked questions.
"Do I actually need a lawyer after my car accident?"
Christy was involved in a car accident where she was hit from behind, and the impact of that initial crash led to a chain reaction. In the end, four cars were wrecked. Christy’s vehicle was totaled, and she suffered severe burns and bruising from the airbag deployment. Following the accident, she dealt with a lot of pain and soreness, and she took trips to the emergency room and her family doctor.
While she felt she would be fine, her family urged her to consult a lawyer before speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, she wasn’t sure that she really needed a lawyer, and she had concerns about how much it might cost to consult a lawyer in the first place.
Knowing that her questions and concerns were ones we have heard time and time again, we decided to create this blog post to help others who had the same questions as Christy did.
The Dos and Don'ts After An Auto Accident
The question of if you need a lawyer should only come after you’ve taken care of yourself. Here are a few dos and don’ts to consider following a car wreck:
Do: Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call for emergency medical assistance if anyone is injured. ADOT reported 25% of crashes in Alabama during 2020 involved injuries.
Do: Move to a safe location if it is safe to do so. Move your vehicle away from traffic and turn on hazard lights.
Do: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
Do: Take photos and document damage to all vehicles, locations, and any injury sustained.
Do: Contact your insurance company. Report the accident and start the claims process as soon as possible.
Don’t: Delay seeking medical attention. Seemingly minor injuries could worsen, and postponing treatment could affect your legal case.
Don’t: Leave the scene. Remain until the police arrive; leaving the scene of an accident can result in serious legal consequences.
Don’t: Discuss the accident with anyone other than the police, your insurance company, or your lawyer. Even then, keep to the facts and don’t admit fault or apologize.
Don’t: Accept a settlement without consulting a lawyer. Insurance companies will often offer lowball settlements to save money.
Don’t: Ignore legal deadlines for filing claims.
When to Hire a Lawyer after a Car Accident
Whether you need a lawyer or not generally depends on the severity of the crash and the nature of the injuries caused by the crash. However, it can be difficult to fairly self-assess the severity of your own situation and some injuries don’t become evident until too late.
This is why it’s often best to consult with a lawyer immediately after an accident, especially if you or a passenger sustained an injury or property damage. This allows you to make the most informed decision possible.
Should you hire a lawyer, they will navigate the legal maze and ensure you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Talking to Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident
If you don’t reach out to a lawyer immediately, you can still benefit from contacting one prior to speaking with an insurance adjuster. You don’t have to speak with anyone from the insurance company if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Understand that the insurance adjuster that is attempting to contact you is well-versed in the law that controls your claim. They may use this knowledge to minimize or invalidate your claim.
By contacting a lawyer first, they can explain the applicable law and know the pitfalls that your claim may face.
If you do hire an attorney, he or she will handle those insurance company calls on your behalf and you will not have to talk with the adjuster.
When Do You NOT Need an Accident Lawyer?
Typically, you would not need a lawyer after a car accident if the accident and injuries were minor.
If you are involved in a minor accident with no injuries and the damage to the vehicle or property is minimal, you may be able to handle the insurance claim process on your own. Nevertheless, this can be tricky, and it is always best to err on the side of caution.
In other words, please consult with a lawyer.
Remember that a lawyer helps you determine liability, negotiates with insurance companies, will file the lawsuit, and will represent you in court.
Note: If the collision is more than a low-speed, bumper-to-bumper matter, it is a good idea to get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries are not readily apparent and can worsen without treatment.
How much does it cost to consult with a lawyer?
With many personal injury attorneys, there is no cost for an initial consultation.
For the lawyers at Timberlake and League, we offer free consultations because we want to make sure that you have all of the information you need to make a decision that’s most beneficial for you and your family.
Our consultations may be conducted by phone or here in our office. If you are unable to come to us, we may be able to make arrangements to come to see you.
If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact the car accident attorneys at Timberlake and League. We can help.
