Know Your Rights: When to Hire An Attorney After a Car Accident

After a car accident, understanding your rights is crucial to navigating the aftermath. Seeking legal advice can be beneficial, and consulting with the best Phoenix car accident attorney or one near you may provide valuable insights. These professionals are well-versed in the complexities of personal injury law and can guide you through the process of dealing with insurance companies, medical expenses, and potential legal actions. It’s essential to know that you have the right to seek compensation for damages and injuries sustained in the accident. A skilled attorney can help you assess the extent of your losses and work towards a fair resolution. Ultimately, being informed about your rights empowers you to make informed decisions and pursue the appropriate course of action in the aftermath of a car accident. Here’s when to hire an attorney after a car accident.

There are 6 million car accidents each year in the United States. And of those involved in the accidents, 3 million people will experience some kind of injury as a result of the accident.

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, particularly if you’ve been injured or wrongful death occurred, you may wonder when to hire an attorney like the https://www.keatingfirmlaw.com/ after a car accident.

In this article, we’ll go over when you should pick up the phone to call an attorney to help get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t deal with the repercussions of the accident without getting your due course.

Read on to find out more.

An Attorney Isn’t Always Your First Line of Defense: What to Do First

Short of someone being permanently disabled or killed due to the car accident, you shouldn’t be attempting to retain an attorney immediately. Some states, such as Florida, for example, offer no-fault settlements that pay for a portion of the medical bills for every person involved, up to a certain sum. This is to avoid having to deal with insurance companies and waiting for the claims.

The first thing you should do is contact the other driver’s insurance company if it’s obvious they are at fault. From there, you can decide what to do.

If You’re at Fault

If you’re at fault for the accident, it isn’t very likely that you will be reimbursed beyond what insurance companies will do for no-fault clauses. As such, if you caused the accident, you most likely won’t get much from the insurance company.

Situations, where you’re at fault, may include slamming into the person in front of you because you weren’t paying attention, disobeying state or city traffic laws, driving with a mind-altering substance in your system, or crossing the street where pedestrians are not allowed.

Even if the accident is completely life-altering, if you’re at fault, there isn’t much you can do, law-wise.

If the Car Is Faulty

Say you slammed into the car in front of you at a high speed. This caused the person in the backseat to break both of their legs, which required extensive hospital bills and a few surgeries. During this ordeal, you also suffered from PTSD and a broken rib.

If the car is in perfect working order, this will be your fault, and the other party will make the claims through your insurance. If you live in a no-fault state, like Florida, you’ll get a certain percentage of your medical fees paid for.

But, if your car’s brakes don’t work, which causes you to slam into the car in front of you, then you may have a case to bring to an attorney. In this case, it’s a manufacturer error that caused the crash, which means that they could potentially owe both you and the other victim money because of the accident.

However, you will have to prove the brakes are faulty in order to win a case like this. But, if you can, it’s worth speaking to a lawyer about it.

If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim

The biggest reason to call an attorney after a car accident is if the insurance company flat-out denies your claim. In this instance, you’ll want to call an attorney so that he or she can help you negotiate with the company. In this instance, you’ll need legal counsel and professionals to help you get the money you deserve in compensation. Want to know more? You can find more information here about rightful compensation.

If You’re Not at Fault and Someone in Your Car Died or Experienced Life-Altering Injuries

If you weren’t at fault and someone in your car died or is now permanently disabled as part of the car accident, this is also grounds to call an attorney. A no-fault state will likely pay for fees up to a certain amount, but this doesn’t go very far when factoring in funeral costs and arrangements.

It’s also a drop in the bucket compared to what you may need to cover the time you or the person in your party took off work to recover, the fact that they may never work in their field again due to their disability, or the fact that they may need extra help to get around.

An experienced lawyer can help you get the correct settlement.

Choosing a Lawyer

You’ve likely stayed home from school or work at least once and gotten your fill of daytime TV. In between courtroom “reality shows” and soap operas are usually commercials for lawyers telling you to call them immediately if you’ve been in an accident.

While some of these lawyers may actually be top-notch, you don’t want to just get someone’s number off the television and then have them represent you. Instead, you’ll want a reliable attorney with a reliable site.

Do some research before settling on an attorney to guide you through the difficult and often time-consuming process. Speak to past clients, research their reputation online, and ensure that they’re in good standing with their state’s Bar Association.

When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

Deciding when to hire an attorney after a car accident largely depends on the accident itself, the outcome, and the bills you may have to pay as a result.

If you’re in a car accident, make sure to take pictures with your phone and call the police immediately to give statements. What the police find and your proof at the scene may be the difference between winning and losing a settlement.

For those that have a little one, click here to read about how to choose a car seat without breaking the bank that won’t skimp on safety. You may be one of the 6 million people in a car accident this year, and you’ll want to make sure your precious cargo is kept safe.

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