When Do I Need to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer?

Car accidents can bee traumatic, stressful, and frightening. In the direct aftermath of an accident, the first thing you should be thinking about is ensuring your physical safety and accessing any emergency medical care that you might need.

Once that’s taken care of, you should consider whether or not you will need an attorney. Many car accident cases will ultimately require you to hire an attorney. If your car accident is one of those cases, it is best to pursue legal help right away. The sooner an attorney gets involved with a case, the more the attorney can help.

Is it necessary to hire an attorney for every car accident case?

No. Strictly speaking, it is not legally required to hire an attorney at all: it is simply recommended if you want the best outcome in a given case.

Even in those terms, there are some types of car accident cases that you may be able to handle on your own. These are usually very minor cases, such as small fender benders, in which there was no real injury and no serious property damage. They are usually very straightforward, uncomplicated, and undisputed cases in which there is no disagreement about what happened, who was at fault, and how much money ought to change hands. Moreover, they are usually cases in which both parties are sufficiently insured, and both insurance companies are cooperating with paying out the relevant claims.

It is possible to handle those sorts of very simple cases on your own, without hiring an attorney. However, those cases represent a small minority of car cases in general. Most cases are more complicated than that, and the more complicated they get, the more vulnerable you are without an attorney.

What are the signs that I will need an attorney to handle my car crash case?

There are a number of indications that a case is going to become complicated or otherwise require legal expertise and representation. A few of the major indications include:

Serious cases: If a car crash is severe (that is, if it involves severe injuries and/or property damage), you should consult an attorney about the case. It is far more likely to turn into a lawsuit, which you would need an attorney to defend.
Cases with disputes: Even seemingly minor car accident cases can spiral out into huge lawsuits if there are disputes at hand. If there are disputes about who is at fault, for instance, you will likely need the help of an attorney to effectively make your case.
Cases with insurance issues: Insurance companies do whatever they can not to pay out. This often means that they will deny, delay, or otherwise oppose claims. The bigger the claim, the more likely the insurance company is to try and undercut it, or get out of paying it altogether. In these cases, you will need an attorney to argue for the settlement that you rightfully deserve.
Cases where the driver at fault is underinsured or uninsured: It is often far more difficult to successfully seek reimbursement or compensation from an uninsured or underinsured driver. An experienced, astute attorney can help you strategize to get your settlement through other avenues.
Cases where you are being brought to court, or cases where you are bringing someone else to court, for any reason: Many car crash cases become lawsuits, especially if they were particularly serious and/or had major disputes between the two drivers, the two respective insurance companies, or both. It is never recommended to represent yourself in this sort of court case. Representing yourself in court rarely turns out in your favor, and car accident cases are no exception. If court (or even mediation) comes into play, you should seriously consider hiring an attorney.

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I have been in a car accident and believe I will need legal representation. How soon after the accident should I contact an attorney?

Once you are physically safe and have received emergency medical care, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can even contact an attorney from the scene of the accident. If that is not possible, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as you can.

If a case evolves and you only realize later on that you will need an attorney, you should contact them as soon as you think you might need them.

As a rule, the sooner you contact an attorney, the more they can help. If an attorney is involved from the beginning, they can prevent you from making common mistakes and ensure that you work in your own best interest from the outset of the case.

Are you or a loved one handling the aftermath of a car accident in Ventura, CA? Attorney John Rosenberg at Law Offices of John Rosenberg A Professional Law Corporation is here to help. Attorney John is an experienced, knowledgeable car accident attorney serving the Ventura community. He can help you pursue the best possible outcome as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as possible. Don’t wait: call (818) 530-1770 for a free, personalized consultation today.