When Should You Contact A Lawyer After An Accident?
Brian O Sutter
Accident Lawyers
When you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, whether that is an accident on the road or on the job, or even while having fun on vacation, you should always fight for what’s right. If the negligence of someone else has caused you or a family member to be injured, that negligence should be answered for, and this usually happens in court, with a lawsuit.But when should this process begin? Undertaking a lawsuit means getting contact with a lawyer that has the appropriate experience with what’s happened to you. When should that begin? When is it time to get in touch with a lawyer?
There’s A Time Not To
There are situations where you’ll save time if you don’t talk to a lawyer because a lawyer is likely to advise you that a case is too small, or is there no case at all. If you get into a car accident, there is no injury and no major property damage, for example, this is likely to be a situation where insurance companies can handle everything.
If there is damage, but it is small enough to only be of relevance to small claims court, a lawyer is unlikely to be required. Similarly, if the injuries are comparatively minor, such as scratches that only require some antiseptic and a band-aid, with not even any time off required from work or school, this is unlikely to be a case a lawyer would take on.
Injuries Take Precedence
If you or a family member is any situation where the injury requires immediate and serious medical treatment, now is when talking to a personal injury attorney should be on the table. The reality of the situation is you can contact an attorney at any time during the process for advice, but there are certain situations where you should immediately seek advice.
However, the first order of business is getting the treatment required. In an accident, always call for emergency services first, not a lawyer.
Determining Fault
You should immediately contact a lawyer if you’re in a situation where you know you are not at fault for the accident, but there’s disagreement. If the other driver in a car accident is insisting that you’re at fault, you already know you’ll need a lawyer. The same is true if an accident occurs on someone’s property, such as children being injured by firearms due to the owner leaving a gun out on the coffee table, but insisting it’s the fault of the children.
When Insurance Disagrees
Sometimes you’ll be in a situation where the other party admits fault right away, and you may think that means no lawyer is required. You may be right, but if you talk to your insurance company and the insurers disagree, this may also be time to talk to a lawyer. What seems like a straightforward settlement to you may not always appear so to your insurance company.
Always talk to a personal injury lawyer when you are able if serious injuries are involved, and there is no clear path to determining who is responsible, and what compensation should be.