Do you really need an attorney after a car accident?

Do you need an attorney after a car accident? Car accidents are sudden and, in the immediate aftermath, it’s easy to forget all the steps you’ve likely learned about checking for major and minor injuries, taking pictures, or collecting insurance information. Once you’ve left the scene, you may want to put the whole experience behind you.

However, it’s important to deal with any injuries, repairs, and insurance issues, which is why hiring an attorney can be helpful. Working with a lawyer might seem intimidating, but it’s simpler than you may think and well worth the effort.

A personal injury attorney is experienced at dealing with insurance companies, which often make it difficult to get the compensation you deserve, especially when they know you’re on your own. “Insurance companies know that unless you’ve hired an attorney, the longer the matter drags on, the more likely you are to compromise or simply go away,” according to Insure.com.

When to call an attorney

There is never a bad time to consult with a personal injury attorney if you or a loved one has been injured by somebody else, but it is most advantageous to make contact soon after the injury.

You can arrange for a free consultation to share information about what happened during the accident. Because each case is unique, a good attorney will be able to determine if your case is worth pursuing, based on several factors, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.

Then, your attorney can take care of the details while you heal from the trauma of your accident. At Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC, we want you to prioritize your health and focus on healing from your injuries while we worry about everything else to help you get the maximum amount of compensation we can for your individual case.

Even if you’ve waited to call an attorney, it may not be too late. The more information you have about what happened and the better you’ve recorded details, the more helpful it will be, but you can call an attorney at any point to find out if you have a good case.

Filing a lawsuit

If you are seeking money from the other driver’s insurance company, and the offer is too low, you may need to file a lawsuit to recoup costs for damages to your vehicle, medical bills, or even wrongful death. Your attorney can help you initiate a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the people responsible for your injuries. After that, the lawsuit enters a mandatory discovery phase, when everyone involved exchanges relevant documents and any witnesses answer attorney questions in depositions. The case may then go to trial.

Your case may be settled before a trial, meaning all the parties have agreed to a monetary settlement. At KMW, most of our clients’ cases end with a settlement, but we prepare for a trial and find that this can maximize the value of your case.

No matter what happens with your case, your attorney will prepare you for the process and help you through every step.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an attorney, use our contact form.