Car accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially stressful. After an accident, it can be challenging to know what steps to take next and how to secure the compensation you need for your injuries. That’s where a car accident lawyer serving Durham, NC, comes in. But at what point should you get a lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible can reduce the stress of dealing with a car accident claim and give you the best chances of maximizing your compensation. Contact Kreger Brodish immediately for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Durham, NC.
Right Away If There Are Injuries or Serious Damage
Car accident victims often ask, “Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?” The answer depends on whether there are injuries or property damage. Even a minor auto accident can result in injuries requiring medical treatment and vehicle damage that costs hundreds of dollars to repair. Anytime injuries are involved, you should get a lawyer immediately to protect your right to seek compensation.
Without legal representation, getting the compensation you need for your medical bills can be challenging. And if your injuries aren’t visible, the insurance company may not believe you are actually injured without convincing medical evidence.
Additionally, some injuries don’t display symptoms for hours, days, or weeks after the accident, causing victims to initially believe they are fine. An example is whiplash, which is one of the most common injuries in rear-end collisions. It’s a soft tissue injury affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck, and it typically has delayed symptoms. Once you begin noticing injury symptoms, it’s time to contact a lawyer.
If the Insurance Company Is Delaying or Denying Your Claim
If the insurance company delays or denies your claim, you need a car accident attorney. Even when the insurance company knows you have a valid claim, it may deny your claim in the hopes that you will not pursue it further if you don’t have a lawyer. Insurance companies do this because devaluing and denying claims is the primary way they make money.
In some cases, the insurance company will unnecessarily delay your claim. As with denying your claim, they may do this with the hope that you’ll give up and stop pursuing the compensation you deserve. Alternatively, they could be delaying your claim until you no longer have the legal right to pursue fair compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Under North Carolina law, car accident victims have three years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries. While this deadline only applies to lawsuits, the insurance company holds all the leverage in claim settlement negotiations once you can no longer file a lawsuit.
When Fault Is Being Disputed
Because of North Carolina’s contributory negligence law, establishing fault for a car accident is critical. Contributory negligence bars victims from recovering any compensation for their injuries if they are at fault for the accident in any way. Even if you are only slightly at fault — and that can be as little as 1 percent — it could jeopardize your personal injury claim.
For this reason, it’s important to work with a lawyer if there’s any question about fault. Even if you think it’s clear that the other driver was the only one at fault for the accident, the insurance company may not see it that way, and it will use all the evidence at its disposal to prove that you contributed to the crash.
A lawyer can help you establish that the other driver was solely at fault for the accident by gathering the following types of evidence:
- Traffic camera footage
- Accident scene photographs
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
If You’re Offered a Quick Settlement
Many victims wonder how to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer. While it’s possible, it’s not in your best interest because the insurance company will try to take advantage of you. Without legal representation, knowing the actual value of your claim can be nearly impossible. Insurance companies know this and frequently offer quick, lowball settlements that they hope you won’t know any better than to accept.
If you receive a quick settlement offer, it’s a good indication that you need a lawyer. A lawyer will calculate the value of your claim, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and seek a fair settlement that covers all of your expenses and other losses.
If the Accident Involves a Commercial Vehicle or Multiple Parties
The more parties involved in a car accident case, the more complex it becomes. This is because multiple victims will be vying for potentially limited compensation under the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy. They’ll also be trying to pass off liability to each other, making it challenging to hold them all financially accountable.
Commercial vehicle crashes typically involve multiple at-fault parties, such as the driver, employer, maintenance provider, vehicle manufacturer, and cargo loader. Companies also frequently have large teams of lawyers who will fight tooth and nail to prevent you from recovering the compensation you need, which is another reason to have a lawyer in your corner.
If You’re Unsure What to Do Next
Not every car accident case involves catastrophic injuries or multiple parties. However, you may be confused about your rights and how long after a car accident you can file a claim. If you are unsure what steps to take next, are worried about missing deadlines, or simply don’t want to deal with the headache of an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, it’s worth reaching out to a lawyer for assistance.
Most car accident lawyers offer free initial consultations, allowing you to ask questions about your case and determine if working with a lawyer is something you want to do without needing to commit right away.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Durham, NC, For Help
If any of the above reasons to get a North Carolina car accident lawyer apply to your case, contact Kreger Brodish for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, help you understand your options for seeking compensation, and explain the next steps to take. You never pay anything unless we secure compensation for you, so you need not worry about any upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
