While there is no requirement to hire a car accident lawyer for a minor accident, you should think about doing so to cover your bases.
Consider this scenario: While heading to work or leaving the grocery store parking lot, the unexpected happens. Another driver hits your car. You think, should I simply exchange insurance information with the other driver, and both of us can be on our way? Should I hire a car accident lawyer for a minor accident?
Depending on how the crash happened, the damage to the vehicles, and any possible injuries, it might be in your best interest to hire a lawyer—even for a minor accident.
Should I Get A Lawyer For A Car Accident
When another driver hits you in a minor car accident, you might think that you will just file a claim with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer, get a check to repair the vehicle damage, and put all this in the rearview mirror.
The truth is, however, that it is not always that easy. What may seem like a minor car accident can turn into a major legal battle you may not feel equipped to fight on your own if you suffered an injury that does not present itself immediately after the crash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motor vehicle-related injuries send more than 2.3 million people to the emergency room annually. However, after a minor car accident, you may still feel an adrenaline rush, and you may believe you are not hurt, so you do not see a doctor right away.
South Florida Minor Car Accident Lawyers
Following a minor car accident, you might have suffered injuries that do not present until days or even a few weeks later. These injuries can result in chronic pain from disorders that might require long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
A soft tissue injury causes damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Even low-speed accidents can generate a lot of force. Drivers may hit the brakes, causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop that can jerk the neck back and forth in a forceful manner. This motion could cause a condition called whiplash. The Cleveland Clinic explains that symptoms may not manifest for several days after an accident and may include:
When the other driver hit you, you may have bumped your head on the steering wheel but barely noticed. If this happened during your car accident, you might have suffered a concussion. Concussions can be severe, although the symptoms may not show up right away. The Mayo Clinic describes the symptoms of a concussion as:
Check Out These 6 Damages After A Minor Car Accident
Both soft tissue injuries and concussions are common ailments following even a minor car accident. Either may eventually require a hospital stay, doctor visits, imaging tests, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and more.
These medical expenses can quickly add up. That is why it is essential to seek medical attention after your car accident, even if you do not think you were injured. If you quickly settle an insurance claim and accept an initial payment, you might waive your legal right to pursue compensation for your accident-related injuries in the future.
It is best to have a doctor document your injuries as soon after the accident as possible if you want to hold the at-fault driver responsible with an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
What's An Example Of A Minor Car Accident?
If another driver caused your injuries or vehicle damage in a minor car accident, you should not incur these expenses on your own. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You may be entitled to economic damages such as, but not limited to:
Keep in mind, if you choose to hire a car accident lawyer for a minor accident and file a personal injury lawsuit, you have a limited time to do so. Every state has its statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing a case. If that time limit runs out, you might miss your opportunity to pursue compensation for your losses and injuries in court.
If you suffered injuries or property damage in a minor car accident, you should not have to take on the financial burden alone if it was not your fault. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, you do not pay anything upfront or out-of-pocket unless we secure a settlement on your behalf. Call 800-959-1444 today to speak to a member of our team for a free case evaluation.If you are involved in a collision that you consider to be relatively minor, you might wonder whether it is worthwhile to talk to a personal injury lawyer about what occurred. It’s common for people to ask, “Should I hire a lawyer for a minor car accident?” It’s important to remember that even if the damage to your vehicle is minor, you might have suffered injuries that are more severe than you think. At a minimum, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave to learn about the legal options available to you.
Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer
Imagine that you’re driving around Springfield when another driver runs into the back of your car at a stoplight. The damage to your vehicle may appear relatively minor, and you may be able to drive your vehicle home after the police finish their report. But even if you’re able to walk and drive, you may feel slight tinges of pain in your shoulders and neck. While you know that the other driver was clearly at fault for the collision, you may be hesitant to file a personal injury claim because the collision seemed minor.
So you’re asking yourself, “Should I hire a lawyer for a minor car accident?” In general, the answer to this question is yes, you should consider retaining a lawyer for a minor car accident in which you suffered an injury. In many cases, injuries that initially seem minor after car accidents may be more severe than people realize. Some injuries do not begin to show symptoms for days or even weeks after a collision. This delay is sometimes caused by the adrenaline that surges through your body in the aftermath of a collision.
If you are the victim of a car crash, it is a good idea to see your doctor immediately to make certain that you are okay. Then, talk to a lawyer to find out what options you might have. An attorney at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave can provide you with an honest assessment of whether you should move forward with a personal injury claim.
Do You Need A Lawyer For A Minor Car Crash?
It is common for people who are involved in accidents to be confused and uncertain about how to handle it. Here is a straightforward checklist that you can use if your vehicle is hit by another driver:
Like other states, Missouri has a statute of limitations for when claims should be filed. If you try to file a personal injury claim outside of the limitations period, it will be barred. This means that you will not be able to recover compensation for your losses.
Under the Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, people have five years to file a personal injury claim. The time period begins to run on the date of your injury. It is best to talk to a lawyer soon after your accident instead of waiting until the end of the limitations period, however. Talking to a lawyer early can help you secure evidence that might otherwise be lost and can provide your attorney with more time to conduct a thorough investigation of your claim.
Should I Contact A Lawyer After A Minor Car Accident?
A personal injury claim arising from a motor vehicle accident takes determination and time to resolve successfully. People who retain personal injury lawyers are much more likely to recover compensation in an amount that covers their losses.
Getting help from a lawyer after an accident that you initially believe is relatively minor is important. If you file the claim on your own, the insurance company might try to get you to agree to an unreasonably low settlement offer. An experienced injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave can evaluate your claim and provide you with a range of monetary values within which your settlement should fall. Call our office today at 417-322-2222 or contact us online to schedule a free case review.Many people who are involved in car accidents wonder under what circumstances they should contact a lawyer. Sometimes the accident is minor and contacting a lawyer may seem unnecessary. But is it really unnecessary? What about those unforeseen and undisclosed factors that could complicate even the simplest insurance claim? Let’s take a look at some of the factors that make it completely reasonable – if not necessary – to contact a lawyer after a minor car accident.
Before we dive into when you should contact a lawyer after a minor car accident, let’s take a look at what factors in any car accident case make it completely necessary to contact a lawyer. These factors are relevant no matter how “minor” or “serious” the accident may seem. Such factors include:
Handling A Minor Car Crash
Many people fail to realize that terms like “minor” or “serious” can be relative. Car accidents causing little property damage can still
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