Survived a car accident and thinking you might need a lawyer?
Car accidents happen every second of every day, and with 39,345 traffic fatalities in 2024 alone, more people are affected by crashes than most realize.
Yet the truth is…
Not all accidents are the same. Some demand immediate legal attention, and others can be managed on your own. But if you don’t understand the difference, you could end up on the losing end.
This article breaks down the complex legal landscape into an easy-to-understand format using data from legal journals and accident statistics. Let’s begin.
Here’s what we cover:
- When You Should Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident
- Warning Signs That Demand Legal Help ASAP
- How to Know if the Lawyer Is Right for You
- What Legal Fees Actually Cost You
When You Should Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident
Let me let you in on a little secret that most people don’t realize…
Insurance companies are your enemy. They have one goal: to pay out as little money as possible while taking as much of your hard-earned cash as they can. It’s just the way it is.
This is exactly why you need a car accident attorney in your corner. If you have suffered severe injury and damages, and the other driver is arguing fault, you need an expert to protect your interests. Full stop.
What most people don’t realize is that they wait far too long before getting an attorney on their case.
Warning Signs That Demand Legal Help ASAP
So when do you actually need a car accident lawyer in your life? Here are the moments where you going solo is 100% guaranteed to be a disaster:
- Serious injuries. If you are facing ongoing medical issues as a result of the crash, you are also looking at very expensive medical bills. People with a personal injury lawyer end up with payouts nearly three times higher than those without legal counsel.
- Fault being disputed. The other driver is telling their insurance company that it was your fault, and maybe you are even at fault (partial or otherwise). Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to handle this without an attorney. The insurance company will take every opportunity to use your words and actions against you.
- Multiple cars involved. Multi-car pile-ups are always going to be complicated. There are multiple insurance companies and multiple layers to every claim, which makes it more difficult for things to go wrong.
- Uninsured drivers. Roughly 13% of all drivers are uninsured or underinsured. If one of these hits you, it is much harder to recover any kind of payment without legal assistance.
The rule of thumb is simple: the more complicated your claim is, the more you need professional help.
How to Know if the Lawyer Is Right for You
Choosing the right lawyer is more important than most people realize. Some are amazing, and others will cost you tens of thousands if you aren’t careful.
So how do you tell the difference? What are some important signs to watch for?
First, experience. You want someone who has worked on car accident claims for years, not someone who just dabbles between divorces.
Specificity is important. Seek out a lawyer who focuses on car accidents rather than an attorney who does general practices. The former will know the intricacies of insurance law much better than the latter.
Communication is also huge. If they can’t return your call within 24 hours to set up a consultation, how badly will they treat you as a client?
You can also look at their previous work. How much did they secure for clients with similar situations to yours? Be sure to ask them for case examples.
What Legal Fees Actually Cost (And Why It Matters)
Here’s where most people get sticker shock…
Most people worry that hiring an attorney is going to cost them an arm and a leg up front. The good news is that this isn’t the case. Car accident lawyers always work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless they win your case.
Most lawyers charge a contingency rate between 33% and 40% of your settlement.
Doesn’t sound like much? Consider this…
You handle the case yourself, and get a payout of $30,000. You keep all of it. A lawyer is able to secure you $100,000, and their fee is $35,000. You still come out of the deal with $65,000. That’s more than double.
Simple math.
The Consultation Process: What to Expect
Free consultations are common, so don’t be shy about reaching out to lawyers to see if your case is worthy of their time.
When you have meetings with them, bring all of your paperwork. The police report, medical documents, insurance notes, photographs, and witness contact information.
The lawyer will review the material you bring and give you an honest assessment of your case.
A red flag for an attorney to stay away from is if they guarantee any specific results for your case. If they do, keep going.
Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case
Want to know how to potentially screw up your own car accident case? Here are the most common mistakes people make:
- Admitting fault at the scene. Don’t say a word. Let the police and lawyers sort it out.
- Posting on social media. No skiing pics after your “major back injury”. The insurance company will find it and laugh all the way to the bank.
- Accepting the first settlement offer. Insurance companies ALWAYS lowball at first. People who hold out for a better deal receive settlements $30,700 higher on average.
- Waiting to seek medical care. If you take days to see a doctor or a chiropractor, the insurance company will argue your injuries aren’t that bad.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Lawyer
Before you choose a lawyer, you need to ask a few key questions:
- How many car accident cases have you done lately?
- How much have those cases averaged?
- How long do you expect my case to take?
- Will you be handling my case?
The wrong lawyer will cost you thousands. The right one can change your life.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Why You Need a Lawyer
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals that have one job: to pay out as little as possible. You are likely in your first accident, which means you are way out of your league.
It’s an uneven battle.
They will try things like recorded statements, early settlements, medical billing disputes, pre-existing injuries, and more.
Your lawyer knows this and will know how to counter these techniques. They speak the same language as the insurance company and are not intimidated by them.
The Timeline: What Actually Happens
Car accident claims take time. Motor vehicle accident cases last an average of 20 months.
The process can be long, so you have to be patient. Here is the process laid out in its true form.
- Immediate (0-30 days): Medical care, reporting to the police, insurance reporting
- Early (1-3 months): Gathering evidence, medical records
- Middle (3-12 months): Insurance carrier negotiations, possible future treatments
- Final (12+ months): Negotiations or prep for trial
Be patient. It’s all going to work out in the end.
Wrapping Up
Being in a car accident is stressful as is, and the last thing you want is to be concerned about your legal options.
The fact is simple, if you have been injured and the other driver is arguing fault or if the accident caused substantial damage, you need to get an attorney on your case.
Don’t let the insurance company walk all over you. A car accident lawyer will level the playing field and improve your odds of a fair outcome significantly.
The consultation is free. The peace of mind is priceless.
