Experiencing a car accident can be an alarming and anxiety-inducing event. Even minor fender benders cause injuries and property damage that leads to insurance claims, medical bills, and time off work. When accidents are more serious, victims face long hospital stays, expensive treatments, permanent disabilities, and lost wages that put their finances and livelihoods at risk.
Consider the severity of your injuries
Minor aches and pains that go away after a few days generally do not require an attorney’s assistance.
- Broken bones
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Back or neck injuries that cause chronic pain
- Severe cuts that cause scarring or require surgery
It’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer. Severe injuries often come with extensive medical bills and prevent you from working for an extended period. An attorney determines if the at-fault driver’s insurance company is offering a fair settlement. Sometimes accident injuries seem minor at first but worsen over time. Back and neck pain, headaches, anxiety, PTSD, and other issues develop months after a crash. If your health continues to deteriorate, you need a larger settlement to cover future medical expenses and lost income. An Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer fights for your future needs during the initial settlement negotiations.
Consider the insurance company’s initial offer
Insurance adjusters represent the interests of their company, not yours. They try to downplay your injuries and make a lowball offer in hopes you accept less than full compensation. Never settle with an insurer without speaking to an attorney first. An experienced lawyer gives you a reasonable estimate of what your claim is worth. If the insurer’s offer falls well below that, a lawyer negotiates more effectively on your behalf.
Determine if you’re partially at fault
In states with comparative negligence laws, you still recover damages if you were partially to blame for the accident. recovered after in car accident. Your compensation is reduced proportionally based on your degree of fault. Insurance companies often claim the injured person was more at fault than they were to limit payouts. A lawyer battles these allegations for you and makes sure your compensation only gets reduced by your actual percentage of fault. If there is any question of who caused the accident, an attorney should handle your claim. Lawyers conduct accident reconstructions, bring in accident scene experts, take witness statements, download electronic data from vehicles, and take other steps to build a liability case. Having a convincing liability argument is key to getting the best settlement possible.
Weigh the value of your vehicle damage
Minor “fender benders” with minimal vehicle damage likely do not warrant an attorney. But if your vehicle was totaled or you were driving a luxury, antique, or other high-value car, speak to a lawyer before settling. The at-fault driver’s insurance company tries to pay you less than what the vehicle was worth. An attorney combats lowball offers and produces documentation to prove the car’s full replacement cost. It tempting to accept the first offer from an insurance company, but it’s rarely in your best interest. Speak to an accident attorney before agreeing to any settlement. There are no upfront costs to meet with a lawyer, and most work on a contingent fee basis meaning they only get paid if they recover damages for you. Let an attorney review your case for free to determine your best legal options.
