Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident? You should get a lawyer for a minor car accident if you sustained injuries, have been offered a low settlement offer, feel pressured by the insurance company to settle quickly, or the accident involved multiple parties or a commercial vehicle. Investing in a North Charleston car accident lawyer can help you protect your best interests.
A Lawyer is Essential if You Have Sustained Injuries
Any time you have injuries from a car accident, even if the incident itself was not serious, you should get a lawyer for a minor car accident. For example, if you are hit from behind while stopped at a red light, you may have limited or no damage to your vehicle. However, a day or two later, you may have aches and pains.
If you have any of the following injuries from minor accidents, seek the help of an attorney:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Lacerations requiring stitches
- Broken bones
- Concussion
In these situations, those seemingly minor injuries nearly always result in more expensive costs, ongoing medical bills, or unexpected complications from infection. As a result, you need a lawyer who will ensure you are not settling your claim too early, and therefore miss out on the compensation owed to you. Note that these types of claims can also be harder to prove, especially if your injuries were not obvious at the time of the accident.
If You Received a Low Settlement Offer, a Car Accident Lawyer Can Fight for Your Fair Compensation
If you were in a car accident, it becomes critically important for you to know what your rights to compensation are. If you submit a claim that the insurance company rejects or they try to settle for a fraction of what is owed to you, that is a concern that warrants seeking legal support for. Some examples of the types of damages you may be owed include:
- Medical losses
- Missed time at work
- Disfigurement from scars
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Ongoing medical injuries
Insurance companies cannot legally deny a valid claim, but proving a bad faith claim in South Carolina can be challenging under South Carolina Code Title 38 – Insurance. Therefore, you may be better off hiring an attorney who will help demonstrate that the insurance company treats you unfairly. Your lawyer for a minor car accident will also ensure that you claim full compensation owed to you under the law.
You Should Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident if it Involved Multiple Parties
You have limited damage to your car, but several other parties are involved. This makes the claims process more challenging. That warrants the need to seek legal support.
Car accidents involving more than two vehicles or at-fault parties could make it challenging for you to recover damages fairly. More so, you may face a legal process requiring several claims filed against more than one person. This complicates matters.
Another careful consideration in these minor car accidents is whether it is your fault. If another person claims you are at fault, that could create a problematic legal situation. You may benefit from a South Carolina personal injury lawyer navigating your rights and producing evidence to show who is at fault. In multi-vehicle accidents, this process can be extensively complex.
A Minor Car Accident Involving a Commercial Vehicle Can Be Uniquely Challenging
Even with minor injuries or damages, nearly all truck accidents become complex claims for numerous reasons. You may face an uphill battle to recover all the damages owed to you. That is because there is quite a bit on the line regarding these types of accident claims. A South Carolina truck accident lawyer can be of assistance.
Not only is it necessary for the insurance company for the truck driver to pay for your losses, but there could also be an investigation by the state or the Department of Transportation. They want to know what caused this accident, and if the trucking company is negligent, there may be significant fines. For that reason, trucking companies often put pressure on victims to settle fast and for less.
Also note that there are many insurance companies that have highly seasoned attorneys and insurance adjusters capable – and more than willing – of trying to alleviate the risk to them by switching the blame to you. Even if the initial police report indicates the driver was to blame, you may quickly learn that they are investigating evidence that holds you at fault. For that reason, call an attorney to have your legal team review your case to ensure you are not being taken advantage of by the trucking industry.
Skilled Representation Can Negotiate on Your Behalf if the Insurance Company is Pressuring You to Settle Quickly
Call a lawyer when the insurance company offers you a settlement, especially if it is quick and seems more than expected. Insurance companies are not trying to be nice and move the case along in such situations. They may hide that you are owed more compensation than you realize.
There are many reasons why they may wish to do this, but nearly always, it has to do with knowing there is more at stake. The insurance company is no longer worried once you agree to a settlement and sign the agreement stating you will not pursue additional compensation. Yet, you may not know what your losses are.
With the help of your attorney, you can investigate more about what caused the accident or who is to blame. You can also explore all of your losses more fully, revealing one or more reasons why you may have a more valuable claim. Before settling, especially with a big offer, set up a free consultation to learn more from a lawyer after a minor car accident.
There Is No Cost to Asking for Help from Shelly Leeke Law Firm
One of the most important reasons to get a lawyer for a minor car accident is the easiest benefit. There is no cost to a consultation, and you do not pay anything to the attorney if you do not win your case. It is worth a free consultation with a lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Call Shelly Leeke Law Firm today.
