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Why You May Need a Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Accident
In minor car accidents, insurance companies may be hesitant to offer payment for damages. Even if it turns out that a 'minor accident' resulted in minimum property damage and no one has suffered any major injuries, insurance companies can still take a hard stance on who should pay. It's important to understand your rights in 'minor accident' cases so that you don't end up stuck with an expensive bill for minor damage. Knowing your rights can help you negotiate a fair settlement and protect you from unfair practices. Seek advice from an attorney if you feel that your minor accident case is being treated unfairly by the insurance company.
The Damages May Be More Than You Think
Even though you may be tempted to forget about a car accident if the other party or driver seems nice, that isn't always wise. What initially appears minor could eventually turn into an extended legal battle, for which you might not be prepared - especially if medical attention wasn't sought out right away.
Should I Contact the Police for a Minor Car Accident?
In the event that someone is hurt, or damage to one or more vehicles exceeds $1000, it's essential to report the crash directly to the police. The officer in charge must then fill out a Peace Officerâs Crash Report (CR-3 form).
There will be no need for you to complete your own crash report if an officer has already done so. Even though the collision may seem minor, it is always best practice to alert authorities and allow them to document who was at fault as well as assess any damages; this information can prove invaluable when dealing with insurance companies.
Failure to report a serious accident involving injury or property damage exceeding $1,000 is punishable with time in jail or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Common minor car accident injuries
After a minor car accident, the most common injury is soft tissue damage around the neck. Even at low speed, an abrupt stop may cause heads to spin back and forth, resulting in the misalignment of bones. Swelling can also occur, which causes inflammation that leads to serious discomfort throughout your nervous system.
Lawyer Up for these 5 Minor Car Accident Instances
Even in the event of a low-impact collision, it is always advisable to seek medical attention if you feel any kind of pain. If a relatively minor car accident has happened, and you are uncertain whether legal assistance is needed, do not let your perception of how significant the crash was - interfere with the reality of the damage - consider getting professional help regardless.
With or without insurance, you should seek medical attention. And if you do, even with insurance, medical bills in this day and age are expensive. Whether a single bill to the emergency room or multiple visits to a specialist. This is where a car accident lawyer can help with costs.
When you experience a minor car accident, it may be possible to reach a fair settlement without any legal expert advice. But for those instances when the situation is more complex, enlisting an experienced attorney's assistance can help ensure that your claim will result in a just outcome.
If you have been involved in a 'minor' car accident, here are five reasons why it may be beneficial to hire an experienced car accident lawyer:
Severe or long-term injuries
An accident that may appear minor can cause major physical and emotional distress, including painful aftereffects, lingering medical conditions, and laborious rehabilitation.
To protect yourself from the full brunt of such damages, it is essential to enlist a skilled car accident lawyer â one who will fight for your legal rights throughout, so you can have peace of mind once again. After a minor car accident, you may need a lawyer to prove fault and negligence.
Dispute over fault
In Texas, a fault is addressed through a 51% modified comparative negligence rule. According to this law, an individual who has suffered harm serious injuries, or losses can request compensation from the liable party if they are not more than 51% responsible for their injuries and damages. (This is called Texas' comparative negligence law).
Contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with anyone else. What you say could impact this percentage. A personal injury lawyer is in the best position to make the percentage determination of fault.
Filing a claim for an automobile accident can be tedious and lengthy without the help of an experienced car accident attorney. With legal counsel, you have access to extensive resources that will quickly investigate the incident, defend your rights by pinpointing who is responsible, gather evidence, and protect your injury claim from being dismissed.
Refusal to pay fair compensation
Insurance companies usually have a tougher fight to resolve a car accident claim. They can offer a lowball settlement deal or deny the crash has caused any damage. In such cases, it can be difficult to beat an insurance firm lawyer. You require an experienced trial lawyer willing to defend your interests.
Stressful claims process
Most of the time, the insurance company responsible for paying your injury claim wonât cut you a check for the full claim amount you submit. Theyâll look for any and every way to deny or reduce or deny it, even after a minor accident.
Going to court
If your negotiations with the insurance company reach an impasse, then you may have to take a more serious recourse and bring your injury claim from the minor car accident before a judge and jury-yet this should only be done if it is absolutely necessary in order to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
See a Doctor After Your Car Accident
In certain instances, a car accident can result in chronic pain in sprained muscles and tendons that may eventually lead to a concussion. Medical attention is often needed for diagnosis, imaging tests, and rehabilitation medicationsâall of which come at a cost.
Therefore, it's essential to visit an emergency room right after your crash, so you won't be inhibited from obtaining the compensation you deserve when settling or accepting the insurance claim payment promptly.
Your Injuries Might Not Be as Minor as You Think
Even in the most minor of car accidents, you must take into consideration any injuries that may have been sustained. Traumatic wounds such as whiplash often worsen after an impact, and your body's natural reaction is to conceal pain for several days afterward.
To further illustrate why medical attention should be sought immediately following a collision - even if it seems insignificant- intense head trauma can occur which requires extensive treatment time and could result in death without proper care.
Therefore, always hire a professional lawyer to help you through the claims process if you've experienced personal harm due to another individual's reckless driving.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Austin
Ultimately, it's wise to engage an accident attorney when filing for damages. The statute of limitations on these claims is two years from the time of the crash, so you'll need to act quickly and gather all pertinent information during your travels in order to secure compensation.
While two years may seem a long while, keep in mind that legal proceedings can move much more rapidly than expected - don't hesitate; take action to collect compensation now!
When Should You Look for an Auto Accident Lawyer?
In the event of a serious injury, even an accident, where you have not received medical treatment yet; the bottom line is that you ought to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible in any auto accident. Only they know the law and how it applies. Even if you think it is minor, it can have major consequences under the law.
A lawyer will often provide recommendations for specialists who can diagnose and give the right care needed. Having your own lawyer is also the most effective way to prevent insurance companies from recuperating your losses. The sooner one hires a legal representative, the more likely they are able to settle their case quickly and efficiently.
Do I need an attorney to get a car accident settlement?
If you find yourself in a situation where you must negotiate with an insurance company, then having the right attorney on your side is invaluable. A qualified attorney can help you secure the best possible settlement and potentially represent your case should negotiations break down.
Never take an initial settlement offer at face value - crash victims are encouraged to ask their lawyer about any settlements they've previously secured from similar accidents. Also, make sure that whatever lawyer you choose has plenty of experience working within this field; after all, knowledge matters! insurance companies tend, suffered injuries, free consultation, paid, feel fine, injured, full recovery, settle quickly, case properly
What are most lawyer fees for a car accident?
A car accident lawyer typically charges between 33.3% and 40% of the settlement as their contingency fee, depending on an individual's case specifics and the quality of services provided. Many attorneys will adjust their fees according to how rapidly they can resolve a very injured clientâs situation.
Why you should not talk to an insurance adjuster without an injury lawyer?
The insurance company may warn you that a car accident attorney will reduce your car accident claims, and settlement, suggesting it isn't worth the expense in the long run, but this is not true. They may also say, it is a minor car accident, and in minor car accidents, there is no need to have personal injury lawyers involved.
While a car accident lawyer does earn part of your personal injury claim compensation, they also provide great value by securing significantly more money from your claim - than if you were to go without one.
Here at the Law Offices of RRK, our experienced lawyers are eager, ready, and willing to help guide you through this most difficult process. Please contact us today for your free consultation. You may reach us through our message icon below, phone, at 512-436-2779, or email to set up a phone, in-person, or virtual free case evaluation. And if you have suffered injuries and you are unable to come to us, we will drive to you. Thank you for reading our car accident blog posts. Should you have any further questions regarding family, criminal, or personal injury law, please check out our full blog page at RRKlawoffice.com.