When Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

When you have been involved in a car accident, with minimal damage and no injuries or minor injuries, you can handle an insurance claim on your own if you so desire. The insurance company will likely be very easy to work with because they know they can close this case quickly.

However, if you were involved in a car accident that includes any of the following scenarios, it will be in your best interest to seek assistance from a car accident attorney.

Multiple or Serious Injuries

If you have suffered severe or multiple injuries, it will always be in your best interest to have an injury attorney manage your car accident claim. Your attorney will ensure that the insurance company covers all of the medical treatments during your recovery period. Your lawyer will also ensure that you are not forced to go back to work too soon or denied treatments necessary for recovery.

Additionally, if you are going to miss a lot of work as a result of your injuries, require long-term treatments or care, or suffer a disability as a result of the accident, your car accident lawyer in New Jersey will protect your rights as an injury victim.

Policy Limits Will Be Exceeded

If you will require extensive medical care or suffer large losses, there is potential that the cost of these losses will exceed the limits of the insurance policy covering the accident. To protect yourself from being denied coverage or having to accept these financial losses, you can have an attorney manage your claim. Your attorney has the ability to make sure that all avenues of insurance coverage are used to cover your expenses and losses. If necessary, your attorney may even seek a personal lawsuit against the responsible party to recover your damages.

Fault is in Dispute

Establishing who is at fault for an accident can significantly impact the compensation package you receive, even in a no-fault state. If there is any question about the responsibility of the accident, it will be beneficial to hire a car accident attorney.

Your attorney will have access to accident reconstruction specialists that can help establish actual fault for the accident based on the physical evidence and not just the assumptions contained within the police report.

Accident Involves a Commercial Vehicle

If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle or a semi-truck, it is crucial that you get legal representation for your case. Commercial vehicles, especially big rigs, are covered by additional laws, and several insurance companies usually cover the event. These accident claims can quickly become complicated, and without proper legal help, the injury victim could lose out on compensation that they are entitled to under the law.

Accident Involves Multiple Parties

If you are in a multiple-vehicle accident, it will be necessary t have legal representation. The insurance companies quickly pass off responsibility to the other drivers, which can create a mess for the injured party. When you have a car accident lawyer managing your case, they can ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable for their part of your compensation package.

You Feel Uncomfortable with Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Paying your claims and creating a compensation package involves knowledge of the law and the insurance policies covering the event. If you need more information on these issues, the insurer will take advantage of that lack of knowledge and push for a lower settlement.

Contact a car accident attorney if you do not feel comfortable with your knowledge of these situations or are just uncomfortable negotiating with the insurance company. Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement for you and make sure that it is for the full amount you are entitled to receive.

Having an attorney represent your case will always be beneficial. Car accident lawyers are familiar with the laws and terms of insurance policies and can use that knowledge to their advantage. It is not unusual for a person with legal representation to receive a higher compensation package than those without representation because the insurers know that they must comply with the law and treat the injured party fairly.

Related: The Statute of Limitations in Car Accident Cases