WHEN SHOULD I CALL A LAWYER AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
When To Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident
Have you been involved in a car accident and you need a personal injury lawyer in Huntsville? You may be asking yourself, how long after the accident am I supposed to wait before contacting a personal injury lawyer? No one plans to be in a car accident, let alone having to deal with the mess and chaos that follows. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side can help you through the process.
When should you call a lawyer after a car accident? You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if the car accident resulted in injuries that required medical attention. Another reason to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is so the attorney can advise you on handling an insurance claim.
During this time, it may feel like the only person on your side is your attorney. Some insurance companies can be hard to deal with when it comes to receiving the compensation you deserve. Having a lawyer who can effectively communicate with the insurance companies can not only get you compensation but also save you from filing a lawsuit. Keep reading to learn more about when to contact a personal injury lawyer after a car accident.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer:
Since no one plans on being in a car accident, it can be difficult to decide when to call a Huntsville personal injury lawyer. Here are some things to remember when it comes to contacting a lawyer after a car accident:
Contact a Lawyer If You Have Injuries That Require Medical Attention
If you or a loved one requires medical attention after a car accident, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Medical attention can result in some major bills that you now owe, even if the accident was at no fault of your own. Everything from the ambulance ride to the hospital to even follow-up appointments are bills that will be adding up.
The insurance company or the person at fault must be responsible for these medical bills getting paid. A personal injury lawyer will help represent you in these situations and ensure that you are not responsible for the expenses that have added up.
If you received medical attention as a result of an accident, make sure you keep a record of all the visits and diagnoses. Even if you seek an alternative therapy like chiropractic work for your injuries, keep a record of it. If the doctors can attest to you being affected by the accident, then you have the right to get medical bills covered. A personal injury lawyer will help guide you through this situation.
Contact a Lawyer to Help You With the Insurance Claim
Being in a car accident is traumatic. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems like the insurance companies involved don’t care what you went through. If you file a claim, the insurance company wants to pay as little as possible on their end.
It can be difficult dealing with an insurance claim. You’ll be asked to recount your side of the story many times, as the adjuster is looking for any fault in the story that proves you don’t deserve compensation. Other people have experienced times when insurance companies wouldn’t get back to them or would refuse to pay them.
If you don’t want to deal with the trouble of communicating with an insurance company over a claim, a personal injury lawyer can do it for you. From the beginning, the attorney will represent you for the insurance company. It will give you peace of mind knowing that you have an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows the tricks some insurance companies like to play. It can also save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.
Be aware that in most states of America, you have to file a claim within so many days of an accident. Luckily, personal injury claims tend to offer a longer timeframe to enter your claim since health problems can appear months after the accident.
You may be wondering if you can settle a personal injury claim without an attorney. The answer is yes you can, but the outcome may be completely different compared to if you had an attorney on your side. To know more, read our article Can You Settle a Personal Injury Claim Without an Attorney?
Contact a Lawyer if You’re Having a Hard Time Dealing With the Insurance Company
Maybe you’ve already filed a claim and communicated with the insurance company yourself about your car accident. If you’re experiencing trouble or the insurance company is refusing to pay the compensation you’re demanding, it’s not too late to hire a personal injury lawyer.
The lawyers at Hornsby, Watson, & Hornsby can help you navigate through a claim and promise you time with your attorney. Not only will they help fight for you, but they’ll take the time to listen to your story and understand the effects the accident has had on you.
To decide whether or not you should hire a personal injury lawyer, visit our article Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?
Personal Injury Claim vs. Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you’ve been involved in an accident that resulted in injuries due to no fault of your own, you may be wondering whether you should file a claim or a lawsuit. There is a legal process to consider before filing a lawsuit; our Huntsville personal injury lawyers can help walk you through this, and hopefully, keep you out of a lawsuit altogether.
There is a difference between a personal injury claim and a personal injury lawsuit. In terms of the process to take when you are involved in an accident, you will first file a personal injury claim with the insurance company of the person at fault. You or your lawyer will work and communicate with the insurance company to determine compensation options for you.
If the insurance company decides an amount that you don’t think is fair, then it’s time to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault. While a lawsuit can last for years, it can result in much better compensation.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
By hiring a personal injury lawyer from the beginning, you may be able to avoid having to file a lawsuit. If you hire a reputable attorney who can deal with the insurance company, you may be able to get your compensation much faster all while avoiding the stress of a lawsuit.
If you’ve never been involved in an insurance claim before, having to go through one can be difficult. You don’t know what to say and not to say and you feel like you’re belittled by the insurance company. The insurance company can take one thing you say and determine that you don’t deserve to receive money from them.
With a good Huntsville personal injury lawyer on your side, they will handle all communication with the claims adjuster for you. They’ll know what to say and how to be aggressive so your side of the story is heard and respected. Settling a claim can save you a lot of money in the long run rather than a lawsuit that can go on for years.
Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
When it comes to getting the results you want out of a personal injury settlement or lawsuit, you must hire the right lawyer. Here are some things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your case:
Does The Lawyer Have Experience With Your Type of Case?
It’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer that has experience with cases like yours. Whether you were injured in a car accident or you were bitten by your neighbor’s dog, you want a lawyer who can represent you effectively and understands your case.
How Many Claims Has the Lawyer Successfully Settled?
Ideally, you probably want to settle an insurance claim rather than having to file a lawsuit. Lawsuits can go on for years and wrack up many expenses. Make sure you pick a lawyer who has successfully settled insurance claims and was able to get their clients good compensation.
What Fees Will You Have to Pay?
A big question to ask a lawyer before hiring them is what fees do they charge their clients. Some personal injury lawyers agree with their clients that they won’t charge a fee unless they win you your claim. This is an important thing to know ahead of time, as these fees can add up quickly.
There are many other questions to ask and things to take into account when hiring a personal injury lawyer. To learn more, visit our article, Questions to Ask When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer.