Every year, nearly four million drivers get into traffic crashes in the US. They can be expensive, emotionally taxing, and leave victims with injuries. But it may not always be obvious whether you need to hire a car accident lawyer after your accident. Read on to learn more about when you should get legal help for your car accident case.
Suppose you sustained any injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, you may want to seek legal counsel.
Do I Need to Hire a Denver Car Accident Lawyer for Minor Car Accident Injuries?
Even with seemingly minor injuries, getting an attorney’s expert opinion can be advantageous before making any decisions. Sometimes even minor injuries can require physical therapy, specialized medical treatment, an epidural, or other treatment. Having a skilled car accident attorney representing you can make a huge difference if that’s the case. For example, you could win thousands more in compensation for your losses than if you hadn’t hired a lawyer.
Examples of When You Need a Denver Car Accident Lawyer
Aside from minor injuries, there are other circumstances when having a lawyer is undoubtedly beneficial. For most cases, an experienced attorney can negotiate a much higher settlement for you than if you try to handle your case independently. Lawyers also know the tactics that insurance companies use to pay you as little as possible and understand how to counter them.
Let’s look at some circumstances where you would likely want to hire a car accident lawyer.
If Your Injuries Are Serious
With more severe injuries, there is always more money at stake. Insurance companies will try to lowball you and pay you less than you deserve. An injury could be severe even if you didn’t require surgery or hospitalization. Some examples of what might be considered “serious injuries” include but are not limited to:
- A broken bone
- Joint injuries
- Injuries that require specialized treatment
- Injuries that require long-term treatment
- Any injury that causes severe pain
- Injuries that require you to undergo physical rehabilitation
If You Are Unsure How Serious Your Injuries Are
Let’s say you find yourself somewhat stuck in the same condition with your pain or injury after the accident. In addition, your initial treatment or medical intervention may not be helping you make much progress. If you feel in “limbo,” you might question whether you will ever improve and how long your injury will affect your life. When you’re unsure about the actual seriousness of your injury, contacting a lawyer is your best option.
With the help of a skilled attorney, you can ensure you find the right specialists for your injury. Also, they will assist you in holding the liable party accountable. Finally, an attorney can help you recover the total long-term cost of any future medical bills you may incur.
If You Are Worried You Can’t Afford to Pay For Your Injury Treatment
Car accident injuries don’t just cause physical pain but can also bring financial stress. Suppose you are at all worried that you won’t be able to pay for your medical treatment. In that case, the insurance company is more than likely offering you a settlement that is too low.
An attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies and negotiate a better settlement on your behalf. That way, you will have some peace of mind, and your compensation will be enough to pay for all of your necessary treatments.
If You Were Unable to Work After the Accident
If your injuries prevented you from returning to work, a lawyer could help you seek fair compensation covering lost wages. Oftentimes insurance companies undervalue missed workdays and will not calculate lost wages into a settlement offer.
If the Insurance Company Tries to Blame You
There are many tactics that insurance companies use to pay as little as they can. One such tactic is by trying to blame the victim. For example, they could claim that you did not report your injury soon enough. Or, if they get a hold of your medical records, they could try to falsely assert that your injuries were due to a pre-existing condition. They could even say that it’s your fault and that your injuries worsened due to your failure to seek appropriate medical treatment. Whatever tactic they use, insurance companies are usually trying to get out of paying for all of your medical bills.
With proper legal representation, you can avoid pitfalls or insurance company tactics that will try to minimize your claim.
If the Insurance Company Tries to Downplay the Severity of Your Injuries
You may have picked up that insurance companies don’t have your best interests as their top priority. They are businesses that want to pay as little as possible and profit as much as possible. Unfortunately, they may only care about putting a numerical value on your diagnosis so they can do away with you. They aren’t concerned with your treatment outcome or if you’ll be able to afford long-term treatment with their settlement offer. Therefore, it will always be to your advantage to have legal representation on your side who keeps your best interests at the forefront of your claim.
Types of Damages You Can Include in Your Claim
Your attorney will be able to explain to you exactly what damages you can include in your claim. While the specific details of each case will vary, most car accident injury victims can seek compensation for the following damages:
- Present and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost or reduced wages
- Property damage
- Wrongful death if you lost a loved one in the accident
You Have Nothing to Lose By Consulting With A Car Accident Attorney
No matter what the unique circumstances of your case may have, you should always review your case with a lawyer. Therefore, if you have an opportunity to get a free consultation and obtain a professional legal opinion with no risks, why not take it?
Consultations are just as valuable for lawyers as they are to you. Car accident lawyers will not take on every single case they find. As such, a consultation is their chance to understand the essential circumstances of your claim. Additionally, they will use the consultation to assess whether or not you have a feasible case and decide if they want to commit to taking on your case.
Therefore, you can use your initial meeting with an attorney at no cost to your advantage and find out if your claim is worth pursuing.
Contact an Experienced Denver Personal Injury Lawyer
Having a competent and seasoned lawyer can ultimately spell the difference between the success or failure of your case. However, remember that not all attorneys are of an equal caliber, so be sure to research and find a good one with experience in car accident cases.
The stress of an injury with financial hardships and life-altering consequences can take a toll on anyone. Lacking proper legal representation can further add to your frustration. Therefore, make sure you find the right attorney who is prepared to represent you wholeheartedly.
Call us today for a free initial consultation. We will happily discuss your legal rights and fight to win you the total compensation you deserve.
