Not every car accident will result in a personal injury lawsuit. There are some situations where you can deal with the car insurance company on your own, but others might require the assistance of a personal injury attorney to ensure that you aren’t taken advantage of.
Minor Accidents
If you were in a minor accident with no injuries or only very minor injuries then it probably isn’t necessary to consult with a personal injury attorney. Other examples of very simple cases include:
- There is nothing, such as fault or preexisting medical conditions, that the insurance company is investigating
- The other driver is obviously at fault or has admitted fault
When You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Insurance companies benefit from offering you the lowest possible compensation after an accident. Because of this, there are some instances when you should hire an attorney, such as when:
- There are serious injuries or fatalities
- There are insurance issues, or you aren’t sure the insurance company is being fair
- You and the other driver were both partially at fault
- There is an investigation into the accident
- There is an investigation into any preexisting medical conditions
- You are unsure about the statue of limitations and it has been almost a year since your accident
When Dealing With An Insurance Adjuster
Many people choose to try to initially settle a claim with the insurance company on their own, then later decide to enlist the help of a personal injury attorney. You should always try to handle all negotiations with the insurance company in writing. Many insurance adjusters will call you on the telephone to talk about your claim. Try to avoid coming to any agreements regarding a settlement over the phone and be careful of what you say to the adjuster.
If you do speak to the adjuster over the phone, have all the pertinent documentation about your accident in front of you for reference. The paperwork you should have includes:
- The police report from the accident
- Any pictures of damage to cars or property
- Pictures of all injuries
- All medical bills and other expenses incurred because of the accident
Having the information right there can help to make certain you have all the facts in front of you and that you don’t misstate anything. The information you need when talking to a claims adjuster is exactly the same as the information you should bring with you if you do decide to meet with a personal injury attorney.
Whether you decide to hire a personal injury attorney to help you with your car accident case or not, there are a number of things you should be aware of to protect yourself. While most car accidents are very minor fender-benders, if there are any complicating factors, you should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact an attorney in your local area for more information about car accidents.
Related Legal Site: Additional information on how to find the right attorney after you have been injured visit WurtzelLaw.com