Going through a car accident is a harrowing experience. There is a very high chance that your car is damaged pretty bad and that you or someone else involved in the accident has been hurt. It may feel like things are spinning out of control, especially if someone else hit you.
In the best of circumstances, everyone will be able to walk away from a collision. But the best circumstances don’t always happen. When the situation gets more complicated, it is a good idea to retain a lawyer. So how do you know if you need a lawyer’s help to deal with your accident?
Insurance Complications
People who drive are required by law to have insurance (though some people do drive illegally without it). Ideally, this means that if you are not at fault, you won’t have to pay for repairs or any medical bills. But this doesn’t always work out. If you are a victim of a hit and run accident, you don’t have the information you need to get compensated. In this case, your insurance should step up and pay, without you having to give them anything or raising your rates. Sometimes, this means that you have to file an uninsured driver claim so the insurance company has all the right information.
Statutes of Limitations
States do have statutes of limitations regarding auto accidents, and it’s imperative that paperwork is filed in a timely manner before key deadlines are missed. This is especially important if you are filing a lawsuit against the other driver or against your insurance. In order to avoid missing deadlines, you should at least consult with a lawyer to make sure you understand what needs to be done.
Wrongful Death Claims
Car accidents are serious and may involve fatalities. If someone in your car was killed when you were hit, you can file a wrongful death claim. It won’t replace your loved one, but you can get a settlement to help deal with the financial costs of their death. This will be an emotional process, so even if you are familiar with court proceedings and the law, it can be helpful to have someone who is emotionally uninvolved on your side.
Obtaining a Settlement
When everything proceeds normally, you can probably deal with the other driver, the authorities, and the insurance companies by yourself. But it isn’t always simple, and sometimes you need a little extra help. If the other driver is suing you despite being at fault, you need help. Working with a lawyer will allow you to reach a settlement that will benefit you while causing you the smallest amount of grief.
Not every accident will require the services of a lawyer, but when you feel like things are getting a little out of hand, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You’ve been through a traumatic experience and you don’t need to let it keep getting worse.