You do not need a lawyer.
Sounds like you need to contact an attorney.
Based on what you’ve described, this sounds like a considerable accident. If you aren’t already working with an attorney, we encourage you to speak with one immediately. Most attorneys offer a free consultation, so it won’t cost you anything just to be sure that your rights are being protected. In California, the law limits the time you have to make a claim, so please do not hesitate to call a lawyer if this is something you’d like to pursue. We hope everything works out for you and your family.
You need to contact an attorney.
First and foremost, please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. We can’t begin to understand what you are going through, but we can reassure you we’ve helped others in your situation. Considering that the loss of a life was a result of this accident, it is paramount that you seek a free consultation from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can make sure you are making the right choices for your family’s future. In California, the law limits the time you have to make a claim, so please do not hesitate to call a lawyer.
Sounds like you may be able to handle this on your own.
Based on what you’ve described, no injuries occurred as a result of this accident. Unless a special circumstance exists (like the at-fault driver was DUI), you should be able to handle the property damage claim on your own. Remember, injuries are handled separately from the property damage portion of your claim. Even if you don’t believe you were injured in the wreck, you should be sure to seek some medical treatment and get cleared, just to make sure you aren’t missing an injury that could be claimed as part of this accident.
Consider These Factors:
Medical
Soreness/Stiffness
When you feel sore or stiff after a car accident, damage has been done. Many people expect to feel sore or stiff following their car accident and do not go to the doctor immediately, only for the pain to increase and more problems arise. Please make sure that you go to a doctor following your car accident to document your injuries and to call a lawyer. If you speak to the insurance company and end up settling your case before contacting a lawyer, you may not know the full extent of your medical needs and end up having to pay medical bills that your settlement offer will not cover.
Back/Neck Injuries
A spine, neck, or back injury can be a serious injury. Even if it seems to be minor, it can turn into a much larger issue if untreated. Once your case is settled with the insurance company, you are responsible for paying all medical bills related to your injury. If what seemed to be a minor injury later turns into a bigger injury, like a slipped disc, you will not be able to get the insurance company to pay for your needed medical treatments. When you have a back, neck, or spine injury, it is always a safe bet to contact a personal injury attorney to know what your options are and to make the best long term decision.
Concussion/Brain Injury
A concussion or a brain injury can be a life threatening or life altering injury that needs to be taken seriously on all accounts. Many times a brain injury is hard to determine the long term effects because it is a complex and vital organ that takes a lot of time to heal. With these types of injuries it is common for future injuries to follow, which makes the insurance company want to pressure you to settle. Whether you or a loved one has a concussion or a severe brain injury, please meet with a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to make sure you can get the compensation you need to treat this injury for as long as it takes to fully heal.
Scarring/Disfigurement?
Scarring or disfigurement is a permanent injury - it will affect you for the rest of your life. With this in mind, insurance companies will try to downplay these injuries and try to get victims to settle quickly. Please meet with a personal injury attorney for a free consultation to go over your options and make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your injury.
Broken bones
When you break a bone in a car accident, you need to make sure that you get the medical treatment you need to ensure it heals properly. However, not all bones heal how they should and there could be long term effects of the broken bone. This means that you should make sure you have your bone treated and it has completely healed before negotiating a settlement with an insurance company. Unforeseen complications and issues healing can cost a lot of money in the future and you want to make sure that your medical bills are covered. Contact a personal injury attorney to help walk you through the process and make sure you get the compensation for your injury.
A loved one was catastrophically injured in the car accident
Due to the injuries you have mentioned in this form, we strongly recommend that you call a personal injury attorney immediately. Having experienced attorneys investigating all possible legal angles is top priority when knowing the long term medical care that may be required for these extensive injuries.
A loved one was lost in a car accident
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your loved one. We can’t even imagine what you are going through right now. Let us reassure you that we have helped others in a similar situation. Given the magnitude of the loss, it is important that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These consultations are free and can help you make the best decisions surrounding this tragedy. California limits the amount of time you have to make a claim, so please call a lawyer at your earliest convenience.
Unsure
If the accident you haven’t already sough medical treatment for the accident you described, it is a good idea that you do. Remember some injuries do not present themselves right away or need diagnostic tests to be determined. The more seriously you take your injury, the more serious the insurance company will be with you. They will be; however, suspicious about delays in seeking treatment or exaggerated injuries.
Lost Time for Work
You had to miss time from work after your car accident
When you miss time from work, it is considered part of the “economic” damages. This means that you can request compensation for the time you were not able to work because of this accident. In many cases, the insurance company will downplay a lost wage claim. However, an experience car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your missed time at work.
You are injured and expect to lose time from work
When you miss time from work, it is considered part of the “economic” damages.This means that you can request compensation for the time you were not able to work because of this accident. In many cases, the insurance company will downplay a lost wage claim. However, an experience car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your missed time at work.
Special Circumstances
You or a loved one was in an accident with an 18 wheeler or a truck
Many people do not know that truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators have specific rules that need to be followed when they are driving these types of vehicles. Due to this, speaking to a car or truck accident attorney can help you understand the accident you were in and the responsibility of the other driver that hit you. Getting a free consultation and gaining new insights into your accident can only help you make the right decision for you in regards to your injury claim.
You or a loved one was in an accident with a drunk or drugged driver
A car accident with a drunk or drugged driver can be very frustrating, as it is an avoidable situation. Depending on the accident, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Because the driver made the decision to drive drunk or under the influence, leading to the accident, these punitive damages are paid to the victim because the accident could have been avoided. The process involving punitive damages can be complex so we recommend that you speak to an experienced car accident lawyer so that you get all the information you need to move forward with a claim after your car accident.
You or a loved one is a veteran and was in a car accident
It is no surprise that our military members have sometimes chaotic lifestyles. Whether you are going on a deployment of have a rigid schedule, getting the time to pursue a personal injury case after a car accident can be difficult. With this in mind, contacting a personal injury lawyer that can handle everything that needs to be done to move forward with a claim can make the situation less stressful so that you can take the time to heal after the accident.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Many crash victims wonder whether they really need an attorney after an auto accident. After all, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may have already contacted you with a settlement amount offer.
The fact is: If you have been seriously hurt in a crash, you can’t trust a profit-minded insurance company. You need your own attorney to conduct an independent investigation and calculate an honest assessment of your current and future damages.
How to Choose a Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer to help you with your personal injury claim following an accident can be a difficult decision. The key is to finding a lawyer that you “click” with that you can trust and tell the intricate details of your car accident. With this in mind, finding a lawyer that you can communicate with and that takes the time to communicate with you and keep you in the loop is essential. Another point to consider is the lawyers’ experience working these types of cases and the results he or she has received for cases similar to yours.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for more tips on choosing a lawyer.
