Unfortunately, car accidents are common. What makes car accidents even worse is they can be fatal, time-consuming, and expensive. Nobody expects to be involved in one, and when it happens, things get very confusing. It is hard to know when to involve a Henderson car accident attorney, especially if you have never been in an auto accident or have never done research on the subject. So, when should you bring in an attorney, and when should you not?
The best route to take is consulting a lawyer that provides a free initial consultation. This means you will get professional legal help without risk. However, such situations are usually give and take. Auto accident attorneys don’t just take any case. Providing a free, no-obligation consultation is their way of testing the waters to see if you have a claim worth pursuing. However, this is a great opportunity to get an expert opinion of how much your auto accident claim is worth if you decide to proceed with the case.
This is an effective tactic for most car accidents. However, a lawyer could be more helpful in some forms of auto accident cases than others. Let us delve deeper into these situations.
The Types Of Auto Accidents That Don’t Require An Attorney
There are cases where involving an attorney is not worth it. It may not be worth hiring an attorney when the damages you stand to recover are minimal. Some examples of this include:
- Injuries sustained are minor, like minor pain and discomfort
- Injuries sustained don’t need costly tests or specialist medical professionals
- You’ve recovered from the injuries with minimal medical bills
The primary reason to avoid hiring a lawyer for the above situations is that you will probably only get compensation for medical bills. An experienced attorney might be able to negotiate for a higher amount, but the difference may not be enough to be worth your time.
Even so, when you’ve sustained minor injuries, it is still a good idea to contact an attorney and get a professional opinion before proceeding. If the minor injuries still need a specialist, physical therapy, treatment, and special tests could set you back thousands of dollars. In such a situation, an auto accident attorney could prove useful.
Signs A Henderson Car Accident Attorney Could Be Beneficial
On the other hand, there are situations where hiring a lawyer is vital. There are situations where an auto accident attorney can help negotiate for a more significant settlement. An attorney can also be useful when the insurance company is trying to give you a low settlement offer or when they try to deny your claim altogether.
A few examples of scenarios in which an attorney could be beneficial include:
You Have Sustained Severe Injuries
The more serious the injury, the more money is at stake. Also, such cases often result in insurance companies trying to undervalue a claim. Keep in mind that a severe injury doesn’t necessarily have to be fatal or call for surgery. A dislocated disc, broken femur, or an injury that calls for long-term treatment and causes pain and discomfort can be considered severe.
You Are Not Certain About the Severity of Your Injuries
More often than not, accident victims aren’t certain about the true extent of their injuries. A good example is having pain that just won’t go away. Or cases where initial treatment does not yield positive results, leaving you wondering if your life will ever be the same. If any of these describes your situation, then you should look into hiring an auto accident lawyer. A professional attorney will help get you in touch with the right doctors and go after the insurance provider for fair compensation.
You Are Not in a Position to Cover the Cost of Your Treatment
Auto accidents are usually unexpected and come with heavy financial burdens. If you are concerned that you are not in a position to cover the cost of treatment, it’s an indication that the insurance company is falling short in regards to your settlement. An auto accident lawyer can ensure you get treatment right away without breaking the bank until the insurance provider comes through. Ideally, your attorney will fight for a larger settlement amount.
The Party at Fault and Insurance Provider Attempt to Shift the Blame on You
This is not uncommon. It can be very confusing, nerve-wracking, and frustrating when it happens, especially when you’re in pain. Usually, the party at fault, their lawyers, and insurance providers try to shift the blame on you. They will try to say things like the injuries were not due to the accident, or you did not report the incident within the required period. This is often an attempt to low-ball the compensation offer or deny your claim altogether.
You Had to Take Time off Work
Insurance companies always try to undervalue or overlook this, even though it’s obvious when you have lost income due to an accident. A good car accident attorney can help ensure you get compensated for missed work time.
The Insurer Is Not Taking Your Injuries Seriously
Regardless of what they might attempt to make you believe, insurance providers are ultimately businesses and do not have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to pay people the least amount of money possible so that they can make a profit. Once they allocate the amount for your diagnosis, their responsibility is done, and they do not care whether the treatment was successful or not. As such, it is important to have a legal representative who cares about you and will make insurance providers take your injuries seriously.
Do You Need A Henderson Car Accident Attorney?
When it comes to hiring a lawyer for your auto accident claim, not just any attorney will suffice. You will want a knowledgeable, experienced, and approachable individual. That being said, here are some considerations to make when looking to hire a lawyer for a personal injury or auto accident case:
- They offer free, no-obligation consultations
- Familiar with the type of injury you’ve sustained
- They take your case seriously
- They specialize in injury cases, particularly auto accidents
- They care, listen, and keep your interests at heart
If you have sustained injuries as a result of a car accident, we offer a free, no-obligation, and no-risk consultation. Our Nevada personal injury law firm has reputable, experienced, knowledgeable, and respected lawyers. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate. Call Christian Morris Trial Attorneys today!
