When Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, itâs understandable youâd be a bit shaken up. In addition to your emotional and physical recovery, youâll likely be asking if you should pursue legal action. Read on below to find out when you might need a Portland car accident lawyer and the ways consulting with an attorney can be a great help.
What Steps to Take If Youâre in a Car Accident
While a car accident is obviously stressful in the moment, there are steps you can take that will help a potential case later on. Try to get the names and contact information of other parties involved, like witnesses, and take pictures of the crash if possible. Take note of important details so you donât forget them later.
If You Were Injured in the Accident
Itâs smart to consider hiring a lawyer if you were injured and had to receive medical attention after the accident. If you believe your injury occurred because of another driverâs negligence, you could have a case.
If you were injured, you will likely consider filing a personal injury claim, and it will help to have a professional lawyer for this process. When consulting with a Portland car accident lawyer, theyâll discuss if you should even file a claim in the first place. If your lawyer believes that you do have a right to file, youâll work together to determine how much your personal injury claim is worth. Your lawyer will handle the filing process.
Itâs technically not required to have a Portland car accident lawyer when seeking financial compensation, but it is highly recommended. Filing a car accident claim on your own comes with risks, and as with any delicate matter, itâs always the wiser move to have an expert on your side.
When You Have to Negotiate With Your Insurance Company
Trying to negotiate with an insurance company, especially a large one, would be too daunting on your own. Insurers have their own big lawyers, as well as far more resources than the average person. Portland car accident lawyers assist with filing an insurance claim and negotiating with the insurers. Due to their experience, lawyers will already know the moves insurers make, and know how to handle them.
It is smart to have a lawyer in your corner before initially contacting the insurance company. Again, the legal teams for these insurance companies are experienced. If you have a conversation with them without a lawyer, they may try to use your own words against you, even if they misconstrue something you said. A lawyer will know exactly what should be said in these types of difficult conversations.
An insurance company will likely try to deny you your coverage, or they will try to give you the absolute minimum amount. They may act in bad faith, not bother to even investigate your claim, fail to pay it in the right amount of time, or deny your claim with no explanation. This is more likely to happen if you try to deal with them on your own. A Portland car accident lawyer is there to be your advocate.
A Portland Car Accident Lawyer Allows You to Focus on Your Recovery
If you were injured in the accident, your focus should be on recovering. Having an experienced attorney handle the legal side of things takes a lot off your plate. This means you can devote more time and energy to recovering from the accident. Your attorney will file your claim on your behalf. A lawyer also handles potential negotiations.
Both can be incredibly time-consuming processes. Negotiations can be a lot of back and forth, which the average person would find endless and exhausting. Trying to take that on alone, especially if itâs your first car accident, would be unwise, both for your case and for your overall well-being.
A Portland Car Accident Lawyer Means Having an Expert in Your Corner
It always helps to have support with such a delicate process, and the support that an experienced attorney can provide is incomparable. Portland car accident lawyers will know the ins and outs of the law. This includes knowing all about the specific laws and rules in your state. These may play a significant role in terming which party is at fault for negligence, and a successful lawyer will be able to determine the best path to receive the desired outcome.
Another service car accident lawyers can provide is writing the settlement letter for you. If youâre unable to settle, your lawyer will handle the paperwork required before the case goes to court. This expertise will also be a big help if your case ends up going to trial.
How Portland Car Accident Lawyers Will Make Your Case
To start, tell your lawyer a detailed account of the accident from your perspective. If you took any pictures after the crash, give the photos to them. Also, provide the other parties and witnessesâ contact information if you have it.
In addition to legal support, Portland car accident lawyers will assist with investigating the accident, determining what the cause of the accident was, and gathering evidence to support your side.
The evidence lawyers would gather can include police reports, witness statements, pictures from the crash, and any medical bills and records. You will also look over the police report of the accident with your attorney. If you do not feel that the report accurately portrays what happened, your lawyer will know what to do about it.
If You Do Need a Lawyer, How Soon After the Car Accident Should You Contact One?
A good rule of thumb is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident, especially if youâre trying to prove that the accident was caused by another personâs negligence. You know the other party will also be contacting their own attorneys as soon as possible, and you donât want them to get a head start and try to make the accident look like you were at fault for negligence.
If youâve been in a car accident, reach out to the Portland personal injury lawyers at Warren Allen LLP. In addition to the Portland area, we also provide legal services throughout the Pacific Northwest region.