Car accidents are disorienting and dealing with the aftermath can be very confusing, especially if you do not know what to do next. With that in mind, we believe it’s never too soon to call an attorney after a car accident. And the sooner you contact a lawyer the better. After the authorities have been contacted, and any medical assistance has been requested, be sure to contact your own legal representation.
Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney should be your highest priority, especially if you are injured in a car accident.
The details, nuances, and paperwork involved in a car accident can be intimidating and downright difficult to understand. A car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach has the experience to help you navigate the legal landscape of an accident.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer Right Away
- If the incident caused significant personal injury, you could be entitled to compensation.
- If you are not sure who is at fault, you may need to discuss the incident with a lawyer.
- If the accident involved a number of pedestrians, motorists, or cyclists, there may be a lot of red tape to navigate.
- If the accident happened in a construction site, protected area, or school zone, specific laws may affect the outcome of your case and a lawyer will likely be necessary.
- If the police or accident report did not describe the incident accurately, the report could affect your trial later.
- If there are concerns related to your lack of insurance, insurance status, or liability limits, this too may affect your trial.
- If the insurance company has brought up some issues you are not aware of, it may affect your level of compensation.
Benefits Of Hiring An Attorney
There is no substitute for experience. Plain and simple. And each law firm has a varying level of experience in auto accident and personal injury law. It all depends on the office you contract out to. Although each individual law firm can guide you, there are some benefits to hiring an attorney that you can consider somewhat common across the board.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
It may not always be in your best interest to deal directly with an insurance company.
Insurance adjusters have a job to do after all, and that includes offering the lowest settlement amount possible. The insurance company may also try to get you to sign a waiver releasing any legal liability for them. This is not for your benefit, but for theirs.
As a side note, never let an insurance company attempt to convince you not to hire an attorney because “it will only complicate things”. You have a right to proper legal representation and the benefits of a lawyer.
Increased Confidence and Reduced Uncertainty
Hiring an expert to take care of difficult problems is usually the right answer. Law is complicated and an attorney is an educated professional that spends his or her life working directly in those confines. A good attorney understands the law and works on your behalf. A good attorney is your biggest ally and loudest advocate.
A good attorney will also understand the insurance process and the legal process more than the average person involved in an accident. It’s their job to work that system every day.
They will know when to file, when to get checkups, and how to estimate costs and damages. The average settlement amount for most car accidents in Florida ranges between $10,000 and $15,000.
If you were hurt from the incident, avoid selling your case short. You deserve to have a personal injury attorney to fight for your rights.
Get Your Time & Freedom Back
The system is frustrating, and the process is long. That’s why most people involved in a car accident prefer to hire an attorney.
You can focus on recovery and leave the difficult and frustrating aspects of the case to your attorney.
When You Don’t Need To Hire an Attorney
Not all accidents are equal in circumstance and there indeed may be incidents that don’t necessarily require the aid of an attorney. However, we recommend that you speak with one anyway, to be on the safe side.
Most attorneys offer a free consultation which means you can call or visit and discuss your accident to determine if an attorney is necessary.
These are the most common reasons that you may not need an attorney or an attorney may not take a car accident case.
When No Injuries Occurred
If the damage caused by the car accident was done to property and there was no bodily injury, you may not need a lawyer. Of course there are cases of property damage without injury where a lawyer might be necessary, but on average, drivers may elect not to hire a lawyer in these scenarios.
However, before you consider yourself free of injuries and avoid hiring an attorney, make sure a doctor has cleared yourself of any possible complications.
Small Claims
The case involved has a potential recovery claim that is so small that you just can’t justify hiring an attorney. However, there are also attorneys that will take on smaller claims in exchange for higher percentage recoveries.
You have to discuss that with your legal representative and ensure that you discuss it fully.
When The Insurance Company Is Offering A Fair Amount
If you feel that the insurance company would want to settle at an amount you think is fair or at least reasonably, then there’s no need to hire an attorney.
We recommend you err on the side of caution and hire an attorney after an accident. The fact is, these situations can be quite difficult to manage and to navigate successfully. If at all possible, speak to a car accident attorney after any collision to determine, directly from them, if you have a case.
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About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.