The moments following a car accident can be highly stressful, chaotic, and overwhelming, particularly if you or a loved one suffered a serious injury. If the accident causes substantial property damage and severe injuries, the costs associated with these damages can accumulate quickly.
While your priority should always be to seek immediate medical attention, it is also essential that you take the necessary steps to ensure that your legal rights are protected. That means contacting an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you hire a car accident lawyer, the sooner they can build your personal injury case.
Do I Always Need to Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Hiring a lawyer may not be necessary if you were involved in a minor fender-bender and there were no injuries. However, you may need to hire an experienced car accident lawyer in the following situations:
- You suffered an injury. Car accidents can cause minor cuts, lacerations, or devastating spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Any type of injury that requires hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication, and ongoing medical care will likely require costly medical care. The resulting medical bills can start to accumulate quickly. In addition, if you cannot return to work due to your injury, you may lose your income. Having a dedicated car accident lawyer on your side will ensure your rights are protected.
- You are unsure about your legal options. Getting into a car accident is a stressful experience, and you may be confused about what to do, mainly if you have never been in an accident before. A dedicated car accident lawyer can address your questions and concerns and provide legal guidance and advice tailored to your circumstances. In addition, they will recommend the best legal course of action.
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured. If the other motorist involved in the accident is uninsured or underinsured, the situation can be particularly frustrating. However, even though most states require drivers to carry liability insurance, not all motorists meet this requirement. Unfortunately, this can make it more challenging to recover compensation for the injuries and property damage you sustained in the accident. A skilled car accident lawyer can explain your options, protect your legal rights, and assist you with pursuing a claim or filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if possible.
- You received a low settlement offer. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, so they may resort to a range of tactics to avoid paying a large settlement. Insurance companies often present an initial offer that may seem like significant money. However, it is unlikely that this lowball offer will come close to compensating you for all the losses associated with your injuries. A car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and fight for you to receive a settlement covering your losses.
- The other driver claims that you were at fault. Even if it is clear that the other driver caused the accident, they may try to avoid accepting responsibility or suggest that you were at fault. If this is the case, hiring a car accident lawyer to support your claim is likely in your best interest.
- There were multiple vehicles involved in the accident. The more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complex the situation will likely be since each driver may have a different perspective about what happened and who was at fault. It also means that multiple insurance companies will be involved in the claims process, each of whom has different policies and procedures. A dedicated car accident lawyer can guide you through every step of the claims process, negotiate with the insurance companies, and help you reach the best possible outcome.
- The other driver fled the scene. Hit-and-run accidents are particularly challenging since tracking down the at-fault driver can be difficult or nearly impossible. An experienced car accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation, review surveillance footage, speak to witnesses who saw the accident, and take other proactive steps to identify the driver responsible for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle.
What Are the Main Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
Unless your car accident was a minor fender-bender that did not cause any injuries or property damage, it is likely in your best interest to hire an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. The following are some of the key benefits of having a car accident lawyer on your side:
- Determine the value of your personal injury claim.
- Help establish liability.
- Negotiate the maximum financial compensation possible.
- Communicate with the defendant’s insurance company.
- Represent you in court if the case goes to trial.
- Recommend the best settlement option.
Contact Our Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Today for Legal Guidance
If you were injured in a car accident and need legal help, contact our Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki. We understand how overwhelming and stressful car accidents can be, particularly if catastrophic injuries are involved. Our skilled team can thoroughly review the details of your case, guide you through every step of the legal process, and pursue maximum financial compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call 718-522-1020 or contact us online. Located in Brooklyn, New York, we serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
