What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident
It’s difficult to determine your course of action after you’ve been in a car accident, but if you’ve just been in a motor vehicle accident, your priority is your health and safety.
As soon as possible, get yourself to a safe spot away from the accident scene.
From here, notify emergency medical services.
First responders can check you out and take you to the nearest hospital if you or any of your passengers have sustained car accident injuries.
From here, you’ll want to notify your insurance company of the accident.
Your insurance company must be aware of your accident to provide you with post-accident coverage.
Last and most importantly, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you’re able to.
A car accident lawyer can assess your case and determine if you’re eligible to take legal action.
If you are, your motor vehicle accident lawyer can immediately initiate the legal claims process.
Should I Hire a Lawyer Right After the Accident?
After an accident, you should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as you are able to.
A car accident lawyer will be critical to your claim’s success.
With an attorney by your side, you can navigate the claims process with confidence and maximize your chances of a fair settlement.
Other reasons to hire an attorney after a car accident include:
- Preserving Evidence: A lawyer can ensure critical evidence, like photographs, eyewitness statements, and police reports, are properly documented.
- Handling Communication: From the moment the accident occurs, insurance companies begin gathering information. Without legal help, you might say something that could unintentionally harm your claim. A lawyer can handle all communication with insurers on your behalf.
- Meeting Deadlines: Each state has specific deadlines or statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits related to car accidents. In Illinois, for example, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Missing this deadline could mean losing your chance to seek compensation.
These are just some of the benefits of hiring a lawyer after your motor vehicle accident.
If you’ve just been injured in an accident, don’t delay.
Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
Some Common Scenarios That Warrant Legal Representation
Not every car accident requires the services of a car accident lawyer, but in certain situations, having a lawyer by your side can make all the difference.
Some scenarios where you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer include:
- You’ve sustained severe injuries
- The accident wasn’t your fault
- The other driver’s insurance company doesn’t settle
- The other driver’s insurance company comes to you with a lowball settlement offer
You’ve Sustained Severe Injuries
If you’ve sustained severe injuries due to your car accident, hiring a lawyer is almost always a smart move.
Personal injury claims are complex, and the amount of compensation you can recover often depends on the expertise of your lawyer.
Personal injury lawyers who specialize in car accidents help you determine the full extent of your damages, which goes beyond just your medical bills.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Future medical costs for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
- Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering caused by the trauma of the accident
The Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
If the accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold the negligent driver accountable.
Proving fault can be tricky, especially when insurance companies try to shift the blame.
A car accident lawyer will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Collect evidence to show the other party was at fault
- Negotiate with their insurance company for fair compensation
Your lawyer can strengthen your case and help maximize your settlement amount.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Doesn’t Settle
What makes car accident claims tricky is the response of most insurance companies.
Most companies will try to save money by discrediting your claim altogether.
Companies will have their legal teams try to poke holes into various aspects of your personal injury claim.
By doing so, you’ll be unable to recover compensation.
Your car accident lawyer can prevent this from happening.
Your attorney will provide legal representation and negotiate with companies, fighting aggressively to ensure that you’re compensated for your losses and injuries.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Comes to You With a Lowball Settlement Offer
To avoid a lengthy legal battle, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may come to you with an offer.
Under no circumstances should you accept it.
Because insurance companies are in the business of settling claims while saving money, the offer will likely be a lowball offer that barely compensates you for your injuries.
To recover compensation fully, you must have a car accident attorney to negotiate settlements on your behalf.
As your advocate, your attorney can present the full extent of damages, the other driver’s negligence, and the ideal settlement amount to the insurance company.
Your lawyer places the insurance company on the hook to offer fair compensation and not a cent less.
Dealing With Insurance Companies: Why Legal Help Matters
One of the most frustrating aspects of handling a car accident claim is dealing with insurance companies.
While insurers may seem like they’re on your side, their primary goal is often to minimize payouts.
A car accident lawyer can help protect your interests by:
- Reviewing any settlement offers to ensure they’re fair
- Filing necessary paperwork and documentation with the insurer
- Avoiding tactics that might delay or reduce your payout
The Timeline To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
When considering whether to hire a car accident lawyer, timing is everything.
Here’s a general timeline of when it’s best to take action.
Immediately After the Accident
Contact a car accident attorney immediately after the car accident.
This is also the time for gathering evidence.
After you’ve contacted your lawyer, gather photos of the scene, contact information of witnesses, and a copy of the police report.
While these can be done by your car accident lawyer, available evidence can help your attorney initiate the case evaluation process immediately.
Within Days to Weeks After the Car Accident
Of course, you may be physically unable to contact an attorney, especially if you’re recovering from injuries.
You can still hire an attorney days or weeks after your accident.
The days following the accident may also be a good time to contact your insurance company.
Doing this enables you to receive insurance coverage.
By filing an insurance claim, you’ll be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses (like medical bills and car repairs).
Within a Few Months of the Accident
Getting legal representation months after your accident is still possible.
For the first few months, there’s a chance that the other driver’s insurance company will contact you to offer a settlement.
An attorney can evaluate the offer for you and determine whether or not it’s fair.
Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
Every state has a statute of limitations or a deadline for filing a lawsuit.
In Missouri, for example, you must file a claim within five years of the accident date.
Failing to do so means forfeiting your right to compensation.
This may seem like a long time.
Take note that car accident claims can take a long time, so contacting your attorney as soon as possible is still your best bet.
Your attorney can file your car accident lawsuit within your state’s deadlines.
By doing so, your attorney ensures that your claim isn’t disqualified and that you retain your right to recover compensation.
The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Early
While hiring a lawyer might seem like an extra expense, the long-term benefits far outweigh the cost.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved, the better prepared you will be to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
Benefits of hiring a car accident attorney early include:
- Preserving evidence
- Preventing mistakes in communication
- Meeting important deadlines
- Maximizing your compensation
- Reducing stress and giving you peace of mind
Preserving Evidence
The sooner your lawyer can start gathering and preserving evidence, the stronger your case will be.
Important evidence like photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and even the police report can become harder to access as time passes.
Keep in mind that road conditions might change, witnesses’ memories can fade, and crucial details may be overlooked.
A lawyer can make sure everything is properly documented right from the start, preventing valuable evidence from being lost.
Preventing Mistakes in Communication
Insurance companies often reach out to accident victims right away, sometimes within hours of the crash.
Their goal is to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out.
Without legal help, you might accidentally say something that weakens your claim or agree to a low settlement offer.
When you have a lawyer handling these communications, they can protect you from saying anything that could hurt your case.
Your attorney will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected.
Meeting Important Deadlines
Every state has laws that set a deadline for filing a lawsuit after a car accident.
This is known as the statute of limitations.
In most states like Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident claim.
Some cases, like those involving government entities, have much shorter deadlines.
Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to seek compensation forever.
By hiring a lawyer early, you can be sure that all the necessary paperwork and legal filings are submitted on time.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Many people assume that their compensation will only cover their medical bills and car repairs, but the reality is that you may be eligible for much more.
A lawyer can help you uncover additional areas of compensation or car accident damages, such as:
- Future medical expenses: Injuries may require ongoing treatment, and your lawyer can ensure that future medical costs are factored into your settlement.
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, your lawyer can help you recover lost income.
- Pain and suffering: Car accidents often cause emotional distress and trauma, which can be considered when calculating your total compensation.
Hiring a lawyer early on ensures that these aspects of your case are thoroughly evaluated, helping you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Reducing Stress and Giving You Peace of Mind
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful.
There are medical bills, car repairs, insurance companies, and legal paperwork to manage — all while you’re trying to recover from your injuries.
Having a lawyer take over the legal side of things allows you to focus on healing.
Your lawyer will handle the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure all deadlines are met.
This peace of mind is invaluable, especially when you’re dealing with the physical and emotional toll of an accident.
Long-Term Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
While hiring a lawyer might seem like an extra expense, the long-term benefits far outweigh the cost.
A skilled car accident lawyer will:
- Maximize your compensation by uncovering all available damages.
- Handle stressful negotiations with insurance companies so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
- Advocate for your rights throughout the entire process, from filing your claim to taking your case to court if necessary.
Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident With an Experienced Attorney by Your Side
If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t hesitate to take legal action.
After seeking medical attention, contacting a car accident lawyer can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve while avoiding costly mistakes.
At TorHoerman Law, we represent car accident victims and have recovered billions in personal injury settlements.
Trust an experienced legal team to advocate for your rights as you recover from your injuries.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a car accident claim instantly.
