While paying close attention to the potential for legal action is smart for those hurt in a car wreck, that may not be necessary. Not every minor fender bender requires the services of an attorney, but at the same time there are situations where you do need an attorney but fail to seek help. It all comes down to the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case, so read on for some quick ways to determine whether you can go it alone or need professional legal help.
Think seriously about seeking the advice of a personal injury attorney in these cases:
1. Your injuries are not that serious, but they are serious enough that you are unable to get through the insurance claim process without help. It's easy to be taken advantage of when you are not at your best level of physical and mental functioning.
2. While it seems pretty clear that the other driver was at fault, your own actions may have played a part in the process. If this is a case of shared liability, you might need more help to sort out your claim and to avoid being wrongly blamed for more than your fair share of the accident.
3. The other side is requesting copies of your past and present medical records. This could be an indication that they are trying to connect an old injury or condition to the current injury. Doing so might end up costing you the money you deserve.
4. You are having problems with the insurance company, such as denying claims, not communicating with you, and giving you the runaround. Sometimes, a letter of representation from a personal injury attorney can go a long way in getting minor issues straightened out and getting your claim back on track.
Don't even consider not speaking to a personal injury attorney in these cases:
1. You are suffering from very severe injuries from the accident and you may even have injuries that will affect you for the rest of your life. Long hospital stays, surgeries, and the anticipation of future surgeries mean that your injury has risen to a level of higher consideration. Catastrophic injuries call for a special category of money damages, known as pain and suffering, and you will need help in seeking the compensation you need.
2. The wreck involves more than two different vehicles. Chain reaction wrecks can get complicated, because drivers can sue and counter-sue each other, creating a legal mess. You will need help to prove that you had no choice but to hit another vehicle after you were pushed by another driver.
3. You have been offered a settlement, but the amount offered is not even close to what you deserve. You might need the professional negotiating expertise of a personal injury attorney to help you get what you deserve.
For more information, contact a law firm like Terrel DoRemus & Associates.
Share24 October 2018