When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

No one likes to think about the possibility of being in an automobile accident. Unfortunately, car accidents are a reality for many people, and oftentimes can have life-altering consequences due to no fault of their own, leaving many to ask themselves the question, “When should I hire a car accident lawyer?”

If you find yourself in this situation and you need legal representation, Morgan & Morgan is here to help. We’ve been handling car accident claims for decades and have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of our clients. As the largest personal injury firm in America with offices throughout the country, we can help no matter where you’re located.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free case evaluation.

The Basics of Car Accident Lawsuits

Car accidents are governed by state law, so each state has different laws and regulations governing how claims must be handled. Generally speaking, there are three main things you will need to consider after a car accident: liability, damages, and insurance coverage. Liability is determined by figuring out who was at fault for the accident.

Damages refer to the monetary compensation that should be awarded due to any injuries or property damage sustained as a result of the accident. Insurance coverage is important because it helps cover costs associated with medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and other expenses related to the accident.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it can be difficult to determine which party is liable. To help with this process, we’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of car accidents so that you can better understand what happened and make an informed decision on how to proceed with your case.

Speeding

One of the most common causes of car accidents is speeding. This doesn’t just refer to exceeding posted speed limits but also driving too fast for conditions—such as rain or snow—which can make roads slippery and decrease visibility.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become an increasingly common cause of car accidents over the past decade due to advances in technology such as smartphones and other handheld devices. Distracted driving involves any activity that takes your attention away from the road while driving—texting or talking on a phone, eating or drinking, changing radio stations, etc. All these activities can create dangerous distractions that lead to serious accidents.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving is another major cause of car accidents and can include alcohol and drugs (either prescription or illegal). Alcohol impairs judgment and increases reaction time which makes it more difficult for drivers to respond properly in emergency situations. Drugs also impair judgment and reaction times but may also affect motor coordination as well as vision and hearing acuity which can further worsen an accident situation.

Factors That Determine if You Should Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

After suffering a car accident, you may be wondering if you need to hire a lawyer. Knowing when and why you should get an attorney can make the difference between obtaining the compensation you need to get your life back on track and receiving no compensation at all. After you’ve been in a car accident, you should always consider speaking with a lawyer. However, the following are some of the factors that should be considered when determining how urgent it is to speak with one:

Who's at Fault? 

The first factor to consider when deciding whether to hire an attorney is who was at fault for the accident. If it was your fault, then the other driver may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against you. In this case, having an attorney on your side can help protect your interests in court and possibly lower the amount of damages they are asking for.

If you aren’t at fault but the other driver seems to be disputing this, you should hire a lawyer immediately to recover the compensation you deserve.

Property Damage Incurred

Another factor to consider when determining if you should hire a lawyer is the type and extent of damage incurred as a result of the accident. If there were significant amounts of property damage, then having an attorney can ensure that these costs are properly compensated for.

Insurance Company Not Cooperating

The insurance company may try to deny or delay payment of your claim due to various reasons, such as policy loopholes or incorrect information being submitted by either party involved in the incident. If this happens, it’s important to contact a qualified auto accident lawyer who is familiar with insurance policies and procedures so they can help resolve any disputes quickly and easily.

An experienced lawyer will also have knowledge of state laws related to car accidents so they can effectively fight on your behalf against any unfair practices by insurers.   

Hit and Run Accidents

A hit and run accident can be especially tricky since identifying the driver responsible is much more difficult than in a standard auto accident case. A lawyer can help you understand your rights after a hit and run accident; common scenarios include obtaining uninsured motorist coverage from your own insurance provider or pursuing legal damages for medical bills, pain & suffering, or loss of wages incurred due to the collision once you locate the driver.

Extent of Injuries

Finally, one more important thing to keep in mind when determining if hiring an attorney is necessary after being in a car crash is how severe any injuries were from the incident. If serious injuries were sustained from the crash such as broken bones or head trauma, then having representation from an experienced lawyer will be essential in ensuring proper compensation for all medical costs incurred plus any other related expenses due to lost wages while recovering from said injuries.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, you may be wondering what kind of damages you can expect to recover. Depending on the severity of your accident, you could be entitled to compensation for various types of damages, including the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that are quantifiable and can be easily calculated. Examples include medical bills, lost wages due to the inability to work, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. These types of damages are fairly straightforward because they have a dollar value attached to them that can be verified by documents such as medical bills or receipts for car repairs.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and difficult to quantify as they relate to physical and mental suffering rather than actual costs. Examples include pain and suffering from injuries sustained in the accident, emotional distress caused by the trauma of being involved in an accident, loss of enjoyment of life due to physical limitations resulting from injuries, and loss of consortium (the companionship between spouses).

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded when a defendant is found guilty of intentional conduct or gross negligence that resulted in harm or injury to another person. Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant has particularly deep pockets (such as a large corporation) in order to serve as retribution or “punishment” for their actions. These types of damages require legal counsel experienced with personal injury cases to build a strong case against the defendant.

What’s the Deadline to File a Lawsuit for a Car Accident?

The first thing to understand is that the deadlines, or statutes of limitations, vary by state. The deadlines generally range from one year up to three years from the date of an incident or injury.

It’s also important to note that many states have different statutes of limitation depending on whether it’s an individual defendant or a government entity being sued. For instance, some states may require individuals who are suing the government for negligence in car accidents to file their claim within six months instead of a number of years. Therefore, it’s important to contact an attorney in your state who can provide details about your specific situation.

In addition, some states may have special provisions if minors were involved in an incident if a victim was not immediately aware that they had been harmed due to the accident.

Morgan & Morgan Is Here to Help

If you are in need of assistance after an accident or injury, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, Morgan & Morgan is here to help. We are here to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after an accident. We have extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and getting them to pay out what they owe our clients.

We understand that this is an emotionally difficult time for you, so we strive to make the legal process as smooth as possible by providing personalized service and attention to each client. Our attorneys will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure that all your needs are met and that justice is served.

You may still be asking yourself, “When should I hire a car accident lawyer?” To find out more without costing you anything, contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.