Have you been injured in a car accident? You’re not alone. Somewhere between 20-50 million people are injured or disabled in car accidents worldwide each year.
But what happens when it’s not your fault? What happens when you’re facing hefty medical or car repair bills and you didn’t do anything wrong?
In a perfect world, the party who is at fault (or their insurance company) would take full responsibility and pay for everything. But this isn’t a perfect world and knowing who is at fault isn’t always cut-and-dried.
That’s why there are car accident attorneys. But how do you know when you need one?
Here are 8 signs that you need to hire a Carrollton car accident attorney.
1. The Other Driver Denies Fault
In some accidents, the evidence collected by officials clearly points to who is at fault. For example, a drunk driver whose erratic actions caused a crash. Or a driver who ignores a red light and plows into another car. These are both clear indications of reckless driving.
The driver may still try to deny fault, but their insurance company won’t usually battle the claim.
But in some cases, it is less clear that one driver or the other is at fault. Both parties may even share the blame, further complicating the issue.
In these cases, you will need help establishing that the other party is responsible.
2. The Other Driver Has Not Reported to Their Insurance Company
In addition to denying fault, sometimes negligent drivers will not report the accident to their insurance company. They know they’re at fault, but don’t want their premiums to go up so they try to sweep it under the rug.
In these cases, you will need assistance to get their insurance company involved.
3. The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Hasn’t Contacted You
The other party may tell you that they reported to their insurance company. But you never hear from them.
The insurance company should reach out to you about how to handle the claim. If they don’t, something is fishy.
It may be that the other driver hasn’t reported as they said they did. Or the insurance company doesn’t want to pay the claim. Or it could even be a simple matter of your paperwork falling through the cracks.
Regardless, you need to find out what’s going on and you may need legal help to do it. Wondering how to find the right help? Find out here.
4. The Insurance Company Is Requesting Strange Things
Insurance companies want to avoid paying out claims as much as possible. To that end, they may ask you for strange things.
They may ask you for unrelated medical records that don’t have to do with your case. Or they may offer a settlement, but be very pushy about you accepting it as quickly as possible.
Do you feel there is something off during your interactions with the other driver’s insurance company? There probably is and you’ll need help to get to the bottom of it.
5. You Want to Seek Compensation
The aftermath of car accidents can be very expensive. Not only will you need money to replace your vehicle, but also pay for any medical expenses you incurred.
If the other driver was at fault, you shouldn’t have to pay those bills. You are also entitled to extra compensation for time off work while you heal, as well as something for your pain and suffering.
This is not always an easy task. The insurance company will be looking to settle for the lowest amount possible. To maximize the settlement and receive the compensation you deserve, you’ll need professional help.
6. You Will Have Ongoing Expenses
The issue of compensation is even more important if you find that you will have ongoing expenses. This may be because the accident has left you disabled or when you face months of rehabilitative care.
During that time you will need to pay for medication, visits to the physical therapist, and household help. You may also lose a significant amount of earning potential.
It can be hard to calculate all that on your own. You may not even be familiar with all the expenses that can fall into this category. Thus, contacting a Carrollton car accident attorney will be beneficial.
7. You Don’t Feel You Are Being Treated Fairly
There may be something going on with your case that you can’t quite put your finger on. Perhaps none of the obvious signs are there, but you can’t shake the feeling that you’re not being treated fairly.
If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to talk to a car accident lawyer near you. They can help you determine the cause of your hunch and advise you on what to do about it.
8. You Don’t Know What To Do
Being a victim of someone else’s negligent driving is not something that happens frequently to most people. Thus, you’ve probably never been in this situation before.
Even if you have, you’re not nearly as well-versed on what to do as a professional attorney is. You could make a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars. Doesn’t it make more sense to have someone in your corner who’s been through this a hundred times already?
Don’t let the aftermath of a car accident stress you out. Focus on healing and let a qualified car accident attorney handle the details for you.
Finding a Carrollton Car Accident Attorney
You don’t have to go far to find a good Carrollton car accident attorney. You’re already in the right place!
Our law firm is dedicated to ensuring that people like you get what they deserve after a traumatic car accident. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case review. We’ll be happy to look at your case, help you understand your rights, and show you how we can help you get what you deserve.
