It’s an important question to ask yourself: Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident? The answer will depend on numerous factors.
There are certainly situations in which legal representation is not a necessity. However, based on our experience handling car accident claims in Kentucky, we at the Law Office of Todd W. Burris know how sticky things can get when insurance companies are involved. Issues you may never anticipate can arise at every turn of the process, making for a frustrating uphill battle for compensation.
In the end, the decision to get a lawyer is 100% yours to make. Whether you ultimately decide to hire an attorney or not, it’s always a good idea to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer you trust. This will allow you to ask questions and gain a fuller understanding of any unique challenges your case might present.
When You Might Not Need To Hire an Attorney After a Minor Car Accident
Accident victims who are unsure if a lawyer’s legal services are necessary have usually sustained fairly minimal losses. If you had suffered major property damage or severe injuries, you would likely know that your first step should be to contact a car accident attorney.
Here are a few scenarios that may indicate you don’t need to get a lawyer. If all of these factors (not just one or two) apply to your situation, your car accident case may be minor and straightforward enough that legal representation is not needed.
- You did not suffer injuries (or your injuries are extremely minor).
- You have undergone a complete physical exam to rule out any possibility of hidden injuries.
- Your property damage is not substantial.
- You have plenty of evidence to support your claim for compensation.
- You have a comprehensive understanding of your insurance policy.
- Communications with insurance adjusters are smooth, without any bullying or manipulation.
- You thoroughly understand the Kentucky traffic and auto insurance laws that apply to your case.
- There is no dispute over liability.
- You are certain the settlement award being offered by the insurance company is full and fair.
What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do To Help Me After a Crash?
Sadly, many insurance adjusters take advantage of the fact that the average policyholder doesn’t have the legal acumen to know when they’re being treated unfairly.
That’s why partnering with an experienced car accident attorney can be so beneficial. Lawyers have years of education and experience in car accident law—something most car accident victims don’t have. When the insurance company learns you have legal representation, they think twice about engaging in any unscrupulous tactics that cheat you out of a fair settlement.
A car accident attorney can help you by:
Making Sure Your Total Damages Are Calculated
It’s vital that you take the time to fully calculate how much compensation you need to recover your losses, both now and in the future. Too many car accident victims make the mistake of settling for what seems like a fair compensation award, only the find out later that it only makes a small dent in the total losses they sustained. Similarly, if you learn of an injury after you’ve agreed to a settlement amount, you won’t be able to include your medical bills in your insurance claim.
If you don’t work with an experienced attorney, you may be stuck covering those costs yourself.
Lawyers look beyond the immediate costs to see the full way your life was impacted by the crash. Depending on the severity and outcome of your crash, your attorney may be able to help you claim compensation for things like:
- Ambulance and hospitalization costs
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Physical therapy, prescription medications, and other treatment-related expenses
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Property damage to valuables inside your vehicle
- Lost wages and benefits during time off work
- Loss of future earnings if you can’t return to your previous position
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological injuries
Understanding Fine Details of the Law
Car accident cases are governed by federal, state, and local auto insurance and traffic regulations. A lawyer with experience can take care of the legal matters of your case for you, from filing forms to following statutes of limitations.
A lawyer will have an exhaustive understanding of Kentucky law, and will be able to do the legwork to help you document evidence that proves your right to compensation under the law. Your attorney will also be able to review the details of your insurance policy and that of the other driver if needed, advising you of the best legal avenue to full financial recovery.
Communicating With Insurance Adjusters
Let’s face it—answering phone calls and fielding tricky questions about the accident is the last thing you want to do after a traumatic experience like a car crash. No matter how friendly the insurance adjuster seems, you never know if something you say can be used to undervalue your case or discredit your testimony.
As your legal advocate, your car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Todd W. Burris will take care of communications with the insurance company for you. This will not only show the insurance company you mean business, but it will also free you to focus on more important matters.
The Law Office of Todd W. Burris Is Ready To Advocate for You
If you decide that it’s in your best interest to get a lawyer for your minor car accident, we are here for you. Come into our Lexington law office for a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll recommend the best legal path to recovery and explain how we can help you through the process.
If we think your case is minor enough not to need our services, we’ll let you know.
Contact us by phone or on our website to set up your no-cost case evaluation.
