A not-at-fault car accident is undeniably, a traumatic event. From the medical issues, to the financial, the repercussions are endless. And, the resulting effects of an accident, can drastically change your life. You may be stuck with mounting medical bills, the inability to work, and left dealing with emotional trauma.
If you’ve been in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to evaluate the situation, and know when to hire a lawyer. Below is a list of reasons outlining when you should consider hiring a professional car accident lawyer to represent you.
1. You Were Seriously Injured
In the immediate days following a crash, agreeing to a settlement may be a big mistake. You may have long lasting injuries that are not initially known to doctors. So, agreeing to the first settlement offer that comes your way, can have long-term consequences. You will want to wait to see if injuries persist. In more serious cases, you may not be able to return to work. This is why a lawyer is needed to review the accident, determine the costs associated with it, and be able to create a case based on a fair settlement for your suffering.
2. You Lost Wages
You may not be aware, but you are able to retrieve lost wages from work that was missed. If the accident caused an injury to your body that prevented you from earning, you are entitled to receiving that money back. For example: if a carpenter broke his wrist in an accident, and is off work until it heals- he should be compensated.
3. Inadequate Coverage
Your insurance company may make an attempt to protect, and compensate you for the damage. However, it is important to know that their goal is to keep costs down, and to offer settlements that avoid going to court. This is why, waiting to see the long-term effects of your injuries is imperative. A lawyer will be able to assess the associated costs and present it to the courts on your behalf. This involves everything from medical bills, lost wages, emotion distress, and even pain and suffering.
4. Defective Car
If you were unable to retrieve the amount of money needed to repair the damage to your car, you may be eligible to sue. Regardless if it is the entire car, or if it is a part that was damaged, you should not be expected to pay for someone else’s mistake.
5. Drunk Driver
If the person who caused the accident was convicted of driving under the influence, it is important to know that you may benefit from hiring an attorney. Proving liability can be a difficult task. Since proving this can be complex, it is best to hire a professional that can walk you through it. A lawyer will take on the burden of proving liability, and will be able to retrieve more for you than you may have originally thought.
6. No Insurance
If the individual that caused the crash is uninsured, you should begin to look for a lawyer to represent you. If the accident is serious enough to cause you to seek medical help, or for you to need repairs on your car, do not try to negotiate with an individual out of court. Regardless if the person seems trustworthy, as you may never be able to retrieve the full amount on your own.
