Why To Call A Car Accident Lawyer Even When It Is Not Your Fault

One of the common misconceptions that most people have when they get into a car accident when it isn’t their fault is that they don’t need a lawyer. We are here to tell you that despite the fact that your car got damaged and you didn’t cause the accident, you will still need a lawyer.

The lawyer is there to represent you and your best interest. Your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurance company have no such duties.

What is A Typical Car Accident Scenario That Needs A Lawyer?

In a typical scenario, when you are in a car accident, and you are one hundred percent sure that it hasn’t been your fault, you might think that the only thing you need to do is call the insurance company and count on their help.

While you should call the insurance company too to file a claim, it is always in your best interest to call a car accident lawyer and get a free consultation.

For instance, if you live in West Virginia and you have gotten into an accident, you might want to get in touch with the West Virginia Car Accident Lawsuits and get their expert opinion on how to proceed as in the case of a small accident case, the professional attorney might recommend handling your case on your own.

You can expect this to happen if you have sustained smaller injuries that only require a few visits to the physician.

Never Rule Out The Risk for Injuries to Get Complicated

However, you cannot rule out the risks for things to get more complicated. If you have a more serious injury or an injury that might go undiagnosed – it is in your best interest to call a lawyer. Have a good, honest lawyer tell you what to do next. The lawyer will let you know whether and how they can help you reach a fair settlement for your injuries.

Subsequently, listen to the advice of the professional attorney and then make a fair evaluation of whether or not you want to hire a lawyer for the small injury claim.

Understand that The Lawyer Will Handle Things So Much Better

Now, you might be in the perfect position to handle your small personal injury case on your own; however, if you hire a lawyer, they will do it so much better than you as they have done this for their many other clients before. So, the lawyer is in the perfect position to help you save your time and effort.

The final settlement value will be so much better than you attempting to maneuver the settlement and negotiate with the insurance adjusters on your own. Hiring an attorney will also save you the hassle of running after the insurance company, talking to insurance adjusters, and wondering whether or not you are getting a good deal.

Always Ask About the Lawyer’s Consultation Fees

If you are wondering about the potential fees of the consultation, you should know that most personal injury or car accident lawyers offer a free consultation that you can avail of in person or over the call. However, it wouldn’t hurt to ask whether there is a consultation fee at the time of contacting a lawyer so that you are absolutely sure about what you are dealing with.

Most law firms work on a contingency fee, which means that they only get paid if they collect money on your behalf. However, most good law firms offer free consultations, and they will give you the best advice so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Calling the Insurance Company vs. Calling the Lawyer

If you get injured and you believe that your injuries are minor when, in reality, they are bigger injuries, your settlement can be affected. For instance, if you call the insurance company first – they are essentially going to minimize the injuries or the impact of the accident.

On the other hand, if you are going to call the lawyer first, they will ask you about medical treatment and worry about the injured body first. The lawyer will worry about the claim after they have ensured that you have received medical treatment or seen a doctor for your injuries.

The reason why the lawyer will ask you to see a doctor is because if you have injuries that don’t show up right away and take a few days to manifest – you need to have proper medical documentation. After getting proper medical evaluation and medical documentation, you are in the best state to get a settlement or a verdict.

What is The Mistake of Calling the Insurance Company First?

The mistake will unfold in the following way: if you call the insurance company first, the insurance company will be very quick to make you an offer with the minimum amount possible. For instance, they might immediately offer you five hundred dollars along with paying for your one-time doctor visit – and that will be it.

They will make you sign a piece of paper – most likely, they are going to make you sign away your claim. What this will do to you is that if, after a few days, you notice the injuries to come back – you will have nothing that you can possibly do about it as you already accepted the insurance adjuster’s offer and signed away your right to claim.

The Benefits of Calling a Lawyer First

Now, if you call your lawyer first, they will ask in detail about your injuries and ask you to see a physician or a medical specialist and document the entire treatment as well as the injuries.

On that note, make sure that you are documenting everything because even the smallest pain that you have, such as in your knee or your back – two months down the line, you might have a serious life-changing injury that you didn’t know about initially.

By documenting the details of your pain – even the smallest pain – you will be collecting proof that you can later show in court when the defense will state that they don’t believe that you sustained these injuries in the crash.

The defense might claim that the injuries result from something that occurred before or after the crash – and that is something that you don’t want to allow to happen. So, keep a journal and keep visiting the doctor so you can effectively document the extent of your injuries and reach a fair settlement.