Knowing whether or not it’s worth hiring a personal injury attorney in Atlanta after a car accident can be difficult.
If you have sustained severe injuries and substantial property damage, it makes the decision a little easier. But, if you’re involved in a minor car accident, you might not be sure if it’s worth it.
Sometimes, in minor accidents, you might not need a lawyer. However, there are many instances where even the most minor collision will require legal expertise. It all depends on the accident’s circumstances like your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and who was negligent.
These details will help you decide whether you should hire a car accident lawyer after your accident.
In the article below, we discuss whether or not you should hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident.
What Happens After a Car Accident?
One of the first things you should do after a car accident is to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
This will allow you to receive compensation for damages like:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Vehicle repairs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
If your damages are minor, there’s a chance you could receive full compensation and move on.
Unfortunately, that’s still not very likely.
It’s uncommon for the insurance company to accept your full claim unless it’s genuinely minimal. The insurance company will often offer you a much lower settlement than what you deserve, even after a minor accident.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
There are numerous instances where you may need a car accident lawyer.
These instances include but are not limited to:
- Severe injuries needing long-term treatment
- Disagreeing about which driver is negligent
- Failure to agree on fair compensation
- Doubting your claim
- Being under too much stress
- You have to go to court
Disagreements over who is negligent and the compensation you deserve often happen in car accident claims.
Insurance companies don’t want to pay out much on claims, even if the accident was relatively minor. They often have teams of adjusters and attorneys they can use to reduce what they pay you.
Without help from your personal injury lawyer, you may have difficulty receiving the compensation you need to cover your expenses.
Even if your damages are minor, you shouldn’t bear the burden of expenses you didn’t cause.
Have more questions about car accident lawyers? Read our blog “Ten Important Questions You Should Ask your Auto Accident Lawyer.”
Your Injuries Aren’t as Minor as You Think
You should also consider the severity of your injuries, even if you feel fine after the accident. Many car accident injuries, like whiplash, can become more severe and painful with time.
After a car accident, your body is in “fight or flight” mode, suppressing pain for hours or even days afterward. You need to see a doctor immediately after a car accident, even if you don’t feel injured.
Even a minor rear-end collision can cause head, neck, or spinal damage that will require a lot of treatment and recovery time.
If there is even a small chance you were injured in your car accident, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer who can help you with the insurance claim process.
Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you were hurt at all in a car accident, it’s in your best interest to work with your lawyer.
Many personal injury attorneys will offer a free consultation to learn about your case and ask essential questions.
After learning about your accident, your attorney can give you their opinion on your chances of winning your claim.
Having a car accident lawyer on your side from the beginning takes a lot of pressure off you.
It also keeps your legal rights protected, and keeps you from getting taken advantage of with an unfair settlement.
Statute of Limitations in Georgia
Another reason to hire a car accident lawyer is that they can help you meet all deadlines.
In Georgia, you have two years from your car accident date to file a personal injury claim. If you try to file after two years, you won’t be able to seek compensation. Two years seems like plenty of time, but it goes quickly in a legal setting, especially if you are nursing injuries.
You need to take action immediately and ensure you’re gathering the right evidence right away.
It’s easy to procrastinate on filing a claim after your car accident. You’re already overwhelmed with your treatments, medical bills, getting your car repaired, and missing work.
It’s hard to begin the process. Your car accident lawyer will help get you started and make sure you meet all deadlines. They will do whatever they can to help reduce your stress about your claim.
Contact The Angell Law Firm Today
At The Angell Law Firm, our number one goal is to gain full compensation for the costs of your injuries and other damages.
We offer a free consultation to everyone recently involved in a car accident.
Our lawyers won’t take your money unless we win you money, so you can begin working with us right away.
We will take the stress out of the process, allowing you to focus on recovering physically and emotionally from the collision.
Bryce is considered a highly esteemed trial lawyer and a passionate client advocate amongst his peers in the Atlanta legal community. Never afraid to go the extra mile for his clients, Bryce Angell works tirelessly to ensure that each client’s personal injury case gets the attention that it deserves.
