Whether to hire a lawyer or not after a minor car accident may not be a straightforward decision. It all depends on the circumstances. Sometimes “minor car accidents” turn out not to be more severe than the car accident victim had initially thought. Below are some scenarios where an apparently minor accident can be worse than anticipated, many of which overlap with one another.
Scenarios Where You Might Need a Lawyer
Any of the following scenarios might result in a sudden, unexpected need for a personal injury lawyer:
Your Injuries Turn Out to Be More Serious Than You Originally Thought
The symptoms of certain types of injuries, such as whiplash and traumatic brain injury (TBI), may not be apparent until hours or even days after your accident. The more serious your injury, the higher the medical expenses will be. A personal injury lawyer will have the skills and the expertise to properly analyze your serious injuries and medical bills.
The Insurance Company is Playing Games With You
At first, you may not think you need a lawyer because the insurance adjuster has convinced you that they have your best interest in mind. Don’t forget that insurance companies are for-profit entities, and they don’t profit by paying claims. Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators because that’s what they do for a living. An experienced personal injury lawyer is capable of handling negotiations with an insurance adjuster.
You are Suffering from Extreme Emotional Distress
If you were injured in a car accident and now, suddenly, you are suffering from serious emotional distress, the two might be related. You might be surprised to learn just how much emotional distress can be worth if you are able to prove it. And proving it is where a lawyer comes in.
The Damage to Your Vehicle is Greater Than You Anticipated
If you drive an expensive car, it may have appeared to sustain minimal damage in your minor car accident. Upon taking it to a mechanic’s shop, however, you might discover that your car sustained internal damage worth thousands of dollars. If the insurance company balks at paying that much, you will need a lawyer to take care of negotiations with them.
New Evidence of Liability Arises
Even if the police prepared an unfavorable police report that blamed you for the accident, it may turn out that their initial judgment was wrong. If CCTV footage from a nearby business shows that the other driver was responsible for causing the collision, you may have cause to challenge the police report. A lawyer can help you build evidence to strengthen your case.
The At-Fault Driver Lacks Insurance
If you discover that the at-fault driver did not have an auto insurance policy at the time of the accident, you will be left with nowhere to turn for compensation. You’ll have to pay for your damages out of pocket unless you can find a good lawyer who can help you seek compensation from other sources for your injuries.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With a Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer
Even if you have minor injuries from a car accident, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to a Savannah personal injury lawyer. Most offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers in Savannah for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah car accident lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
We proudly serve Chatham County, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers
308 Commercial Drive, Suite 100, Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 335-1909
Open 24/7