Anytime you’ve been involved in an auto accident, it is definitely in your best interests to contact an experienced Carrollton car accident lawyer to represent you. Keep in mind that the other parties involved may have contacted their attorneys as well, and in that case, it is entirely possible that those attorneys will attempt to shift the blame for the car accident onto you, regardless of whether you were actually at fault or not.
Working with a Carrollton car accident lawyer as soon as possible following an accident will help you get answers to legal questions quickly, and give you professional guidance about how to proceed.
This being the case, the safe answer about when to contact a lawyer would simply be ‘always,’ but on the other hand, not all accidents require legal representation.
Below you’ll find information about those scenarios where it would be most advisable to seek legal counsel.
When Significant Injuries or Damages are Involved
Whenever you’re involved in a minor accident that caused no serious injuries and did not include any significant damage to vehicles among the parties, it’s entirely possible that you won’t need an attorney.
However, in practically all other circumstances, it would be the wisest course of action to seek legal representation and to at least speak with an experienced injury attorney.
This will be your best way to protect your legal rights and recover any compensation if it is warranted. When anyone in your vehicle has suffered a serious injury, or if the car itself has been seriously damaged, it’s better to be safe than sorry; you should speak with a Carrollton car accident attorney soon afterward.
When the Other Party is at Fault
If the circumstances of the accident are such that it’s very apparent that the other party caused the accident, that is also a good time for you to contact an attorney. If another driver caused you to lose control of your car, or if they triggered a series of events that caused either your car or multiple cars to become involved in an accident, these are situations where legal counsel can significantly benefit you.
Conversely, if you are sure that you personally caused the accident, the other party will probably seek to exploit the fact that you are at fault. If they obtain legal representation, they could try to extract the maximum amount of compensation from you. When you are at fault for an accident, your insurance company will most likely provide legal representation to represent you as their policyholder.
When There is a Subpar Settlement Offer
Insurance companies will always try to settle accident claims for the least amount of money possible. If you have been offered an amount that seems unusually low given the circumstances, you should immediately contact a lawyer for representation.
Before agreeing to any kind of settlement or even making any kind of statement to the other party, it’s best that you consult with a Carrollton car accident lawyer, so you can be sure you’re getting what you deserve.
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s often very difficult to determine the true extent of injury and damages. It’s likely that any amount offered by the other party’s insurance company will be a lowball offer.
An experienced attorney will have been involved with many such car accident cases and will always have a better idea of the compensation value which should be awarded. By accepting a lowball offer from the other party’s insurance company, you may be short-changing yourself, and you may find that you are unable to completely manage your future medical bills or car repairs as a result.
Once you’ve accepted an offer from the other party, you don’t usually have an opportunity to request an increase, so it’s something you have to get right the first time. By seeking legal representation early, you can be much more confident that the compensation you receive will cover all bills, as well as any pain and suffering you’ve had to endure.
When Someone Died from Injuries
There are, unfortunately, some accidents that involve fatalities. If you have a loved one who died as a result of another driver’s recklessness or negligence, there is a good possibility that you may be entitled to a wrongful death suit.
A car accident attorney or wrongful death attorney with years of experience will know whether or not your situation could qualify for such a lawsuit.
The party at-fault will certainly not make you aware of the possibility of a wrongful death claim. They will also try to minimize any monetary liability in such cases, so it will be up to your experienced attorney to prove their liability and to extract an appropriate sum as compensation.
When Injuries are Severe or Permanent
Anyone who has sustained a permanent injury, or one that is extremely severe in nature, will probably also be subject to a lifetime of medical bills and related expenses, including:
- hospitalizations due to complications
- future surgeries and treatments
- modifications that are necessary to your dwelling
- a reduction or a total loss of your potential earnings
All of these things must be taken into account when injuries are severe or long-lasting. When another driver is at fault for your injury, you should not be expected to pay for these on your own. An attorney will understand the future impact of severe injuries and can guide you toward pursuing appropriate compensation for those injuries.
When There is Government Agency or Corporate Negligence
Employees of any governmental agency or corporation have some level of built-in protection from that organization. However, it takes an especially diligent and experienced lawyer to pursue rightful compensation. Taking legal action against the employees of a governmental agency or corporation can be a little more complicated than taking action against private citizens.
When you find out that you’ve been injured or involved in an accident caused by an on-the-clock employee of a government agency or corporation, you should contact legal representation immediately.
What a Carrollton Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
An attorney can be incredibly valuable to you if you’ve just experienced a debilitating car accident. They will plan your legal strategy so that you can focus on recovering, while they work to obtain the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
With so many laws and regulations governing this type of situation, it takes an experienced lawyer to wade through them all.
If you were in a recent car accident and need to seek legal advice, don’t hesitate to contact our Carrollton or Dallas law offices.
