A car accident can leave you seriously injured. Those injuries are often excruciating and expensive to treat. For this reason, most people file an insurance claim, or a personal injury lawsuit, or both after an accident.
However, not everyone warrants a lawsuit or a personal injury claim. So, how do you know if you have a car accident case and when you’re supposed to file a claim. Here are some points to consider as you decide whether you should speak with a car accident attorney and your insurance agency about your case.
When to Contact Your Attorney After a Car Accident?
If you consider you have a personal injury claim, it’s important to address your car accident attorney as soon as possible. When an attorney is part of a case from the very beginning, she or he will know what to do and say to protect you every step of the way. Your lawyer will be able to preserve evidence and thoroughly document your injuries and other losses from the start.
Even if you’re hesitant in filing a claim, a lawyer can review your case and determine whether or not you have real reasons to file a personal injury claim. Before filing a car accident lawsuit, your personal attorney can offer you free consultations for this reason. Thus, even if you don’t end up filing a claim, you haven’t lost anything just by a discussion with someone about your case.
When Should I File an Injury Claim?
Before discussing with your attorney, there are some ways you can determine on your own if you have a legit claim or not.
For instance, if you or a family member was injured during a car accident, you should definitely speak to a lawyer about filing a lawsuit. Any time a crash causes serious injuries or death, the claim will likely be very complex. There are multiple parties involved, meaning that multiple lawsuits are complicating the process even more. You may also have to file a claim directly against the responsible driver to recoup the cost that insurance does not cover.
You can also file a lawsuit if your serious injuries are hindering you from working. In this case, your lawyer can help you determine how much income you're losing due to your injuries. An attorney will also evaluate how the injuries will affect you in the future. For instance, if your injuries have prevented you from holding the same position you held before the accident, your income could be negatively affected. A lawyer will take this into consideration and include your loss of earning capacity in your claim.
Lastly, if the injuries you suffered in the accident are affecting your life quality, you can also consult an attorney about filing a claim. Such losses, although not tangible or physical, are still losses all the same. For instance, someone may be a very skilled basketball player and may regularly participate in sporting activities almost three times a week before the accident. After the accident, they are so injured they can no longer play sport at all, affecting her or his quality of life.
If a car accident has taken something you love from your or has reduced your quality of life, a lawyer can help you file a claim, evaluate your losses, and demand full fair compensation.