Unfortunately, there are approximately 6 million car accidents each year within the United States. While not all of these incidents are serious, they could easily result in the need for a car accident lawyer.

We’ve put together a short guide that details how to tell if you need a car accident lawyer. Let’s explore what you should know.

1. You Are Unable to Determine Who Is at Fault

This is one of the most common reasons why people choose to pursue a car accident attorney. Unfortunately, a party who is at fault is not always likely to recognize or accept this fact.

This is even true within scenarios where an individual is clearly the cause of the accident.

For example, let’s assume that someone was driving under the influence of alcohol and caused a wreck that damaged four other vehicles. The driver may repeatedly claim that they were not responsible for the incident.

If you find yourself in this scenario, it’s best to get in touch with a professional as soon as possible.

2. There Were Injuries

As you might expect, you should waste no time seeking legal help if you experienced an injury in the accident. But, this is also true if another party was injured.

Like in the above scenario, it’s not impossible for another driver to become injured as a result of their own actions. They can then claim that you were responsible for their injuries and then attempt to pursue personal injury compensation.

Without the help of an experienced lawyer, you risk being ruled against in a car accident lawsuit. In contrast, hiring a lawyer can also help you seek legal compensation for your own injuries.

3. Road Conditions Were Unsafe or Hazardous

In an ideal world, all hazardous road conditions are denoted by the presence of the appropriate warning signs. This can apply to situations that involve wet or icy roads, construction, etc.

If your accident was the result of hazardous or unsafe road conditions and these conditions were not properly signified, you may be entitled to compensation. In this scenario, the party who was initially responsible for warning drivers about the condition of the roads would be to blame.

Your attorney can help you decide the best course of action from here, as your local and state laws will impact what steps you should follow.

4. You Require Medical Treatment

If you require medical treatment for injuries sustained in a car accident, chances are that they will be notably expensive. A weeklong stay in the hospital can sometimes cost over $100,000.

Even if you feel and appear to be fine, you could have significant internal damage that needs immediate attention.

Depending on your insurance coverage, you might also find yourself paying a large deductible or dealing with medical debt that your insurance didn’t cover. You can also experience additional complications, such as losing your job from being unable to work.

It’s important to note that you should also speak with an attorney if the other party required medical treatment. Regardless of whether or not they were at fault, they may experience hardship as a result of their injuries and take legal action against you.

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5. Contradictory Incident Details

Occasionally, reports that are made by medical professionals, law enforcement, or insurance representatives don’t always accurately reflect the events of the accident.

In some cases, the evidence that they compile could refute the claims you make about what happened. For example, let’s assume that another driver pulled out of the parking lot in front of you and caused you to swerve before striking a pole.

Upon investigation, witnesses and video surveillance only seemed to portray you as an erratic driver. In this scenario, it would be up to you to prove what really happened.

An attorney can help investigate your case and gather any evidence that supports your claims. For example, if you happened to have a dashcam mounted on your vehicle, you could use this evidence to prove the legitimacy of your statement.

So, keep this in mind when deciding whether or not working with an attorney is right for you — it can easily mean the difference between success or failure.

6. Emotional Suffering

This is something that many people often overlook after a car accident. The truth is, though, that emotional suffering can have a significant impact on mental health.

To elaborate, let’s assume that a car accident occurs involving someone who is driving two of their children to school. In the aftermath, they discover that one of the children is severely injured and requires immediate medical treatment.

Their other child is bewildered at the incident and can’t process what is occurring. As a parent, this could cause a significant amount of trauma that can be difficult to cope with.

Even if the situation resolves with everyone making a full physical recovery, the driver may have flashbacks, feel guilt about what had occurred, etc.

In this scenario, it’s imperative that you speak with a lawyer to help determine your course of action.

Understanding If You Need a Car Accident Lawyer Can Seem Difficult

So, it’s essential that you keep the above information in mind. From here, you will be able to easily recognize if you need a car accident lawyer and be able to make the decision that’s best for you.

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.