Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

The Short Answer:

It depends. Working with a car accident lawyer is often the best way to protect your rights, prevent delays, and ensure that you’re treated fairly. If you weren’t hurt and the insurance company is paying to fix your car without a fight, you might not need a lawyer. However, if you sustained any injuries or the insurance company is questioning who caused the crash, you should strongly consider hiring a car accident lawyer. In Alabama, being even 1% at fault can bar you from recovering compensation, so it’s important to understand your rights and work with an attorney who can protect them.

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Key Takeaways

• Not all car accident cases require a lawyer, but your claim may be resolved faster and you may receive more compensation if you work with an attorney.
• You may need an attorney if your claim is delayed, denied, or disputed. Talk to a lawyer if the other side is trying to blame you.
• Alabama is a strict contributory negligence state. If you’re even slightly at fault, you get nothing. An attorney can help to prove liability.
• You should speak to a lawyer if you were injured. You could get compensation for past and future medical care as well as pain and suffering.
• Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency basis, so there’s no upfront cost. Don’t wait to seek legal advice as it could hurt your case.
• It’s always a good idea to request a free consultation with an attorney before accepting a settlement offer.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?

Not every car accident requires a lawyer. Some minor crashes with no injuries and clear liability can be resolved directly with the insurance company. After a minor car accident or fender bender, it’s common to hesitate before calling a lawyer. However, many claims that start as minor become more serious once injuries, delays, or disputes emerge.

What matters is not just how the accident looked at the scene, but what happens after, including medical symptoms, repair issues, your recovery, and how the insurance company handles the claim. In this article, you’ll find information to help you determine whether you need a car accident lawyer.

Simple Accidents Where You May Not Need Legal Help

You might be able to resolve your claim without a lawyer if:

• The accident involved property damage only (your car is dented, but you are 100% fine).
• You have no injuries and didn’t need medical treatment.
• The insurance company has already offered a settlement that covers all your repair costs, and you feel it is fair.

Note: Even in cases that seem straightforward, an adjuster may try to get you to accept a low offer and sign a release of liability that prevents you from suing in the future. Be careful, and don’t hesitate to contact an attorney for a free consultation before you sign anything.

Situations Where You Should Consider Hiring an Attorney

While some claims for minor accidents can be resolved without legal help, certain situations significantly increase the risk of being underpaid. If any of the following apply, consider hiring a car accident lawyer or scheduling a free case review.

1. Delayed-Onset Injuries

If your injuries didn’t show up until days or weeks after the crash, the insurance company may try to downplay your injuries or claim that they weren’t caused by the accident. Delayed symptoms may lead injured motorists to underestimate the true cost of future medical care. Insurance adjusters often push for quick settlements before a full picture of your health is clear, which can leave you responsible for extra costs later. Common delayed-onset injuries include:

• Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash
• Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back pain
• Shoulder or joint injuries
• Nerve damage

2. Insurance Delays

Insurance delays are common, and they are sometimes used as a negotiating tactic to pressure motorists into accepting less than they deserve just because they need the money to cover their bills. With over 14 years of experience working for insurance companies, attorney Jeffrey G. Hunter and the rest of our legal team know what to expect from the other side. Warning signs that the insurance company is delaying your claim include:

• Phone calls or emails going unanswered
• Repeated requests for additional information
• Long gaps with no decision or explanation

3. Claim Denials

Claim denials are often based on legal terminology, convoluted policy terms, or liability disputes. Challenging a denial usually requires legal pressure, proper evidence, and a clear understanding of insurance laws. It’s wise to speak to a car accident attorney if the insurance company:

• Says the policy doesn’t cover the accident
• Claims that your injuries are pre-existing
• Cites narrow or incorrect policy terms

4. Disputed Liability

Disputed fault makes car accident claims far more complex. Alabama follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means that if you are even slightly at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation. If the other party is trying to blame you, a lawyer may be able to investigate the cause of the accident to prove your side of the story. Disputed fault is common in the following scenarios:

• He said/she said crashes
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Conflicting witness statements
• Inconsistent or unclear police reports
• Multiple liable parties (such as work vehicles)

5. Lowball Settlement Offers

Insurance companies use a variety of tactics to minimize payments and protect their bottom line. Once you accept a car accident settlement, you’re waiving your right to sue in the future, so it’s important to be sure that the offer covers all your medical bills and expenses. If the carrier is offering less than you’re owed, a lawyer can apply legal pressure to negotiate a more favorable offer. Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

• The offer only covers recent medical bills.
• There’s no compensation for pain and suffering.
• The offer doesn’t reflect future care or lost wages.
• The adjuster claims that the offer is final or expires soon.
• The company is pressuring you to accept.

Advantages of Working With a Car Accident Lawyer

While you may not need a lawyer to make a phone call or fill out insurance paperwork, legal representation can help you level the playing field. This is especially true if there are any disputes or if the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly. Whether your accident was minor or catastrophic, here’s how a car accident lawyer can help:

• Case Valuation: The first step is to assess the total value of your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering to understand what your claim is really worth.
• Communication: Letting your attorney handle all communications with the insurance company can protect your rights and help you avoid common pitfalls.
• Investigation: Attorneys have the resources needed to secure essential evidence, such as accident reports, medical records, traffic cam footage, and witness statements.
• Negotiation: Attorneys use evidence and proven negotiation strategies to build a strong case, interpret the fine print, apply legal pressure, and secure better offers.
• Contingency Fees: Car accident lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, so there’s no upfront cost and no financial risk. You only pay if you get compensation.

Don’t Wait to Get Legal Help

After an accident, timing is everything. Waiting too long to seek legal help can put you at a disadvantage. And you may even lose your right to compensation if you don’t take legal action within Alabama’s 2-year deadline. Here’s how delays can affect your case:

• Physical and electronic evidence may disappear.
• Witnesses may be harder to reach, and memories may fade.
• Insurance narratives could weaken your case.
• You could make a mistake that affects your rights.
• You may run out of time to file a claim.

Common Myths About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Many people are reluctant to call a lawyer after a car accident. It’s easy to downplay the severity of your injuries, especially if the other side is trying to, and it’s natural to want to seek the easiest, fastest resolution to make the problem go away. However, don’t let the following myths and misconceptions prevent you from seeking legal advice.

MYTH	FACT
A lawyer will make things adversarial.	Most car accident lawyers start by contacting the insurance company. This can speed up the process and reduce conflict.
I can’t afford a lawyer.	Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. We only get paid if you win, so there’s no risk.
The insurance company will be fair.	The insurance company has limited obligations to treat policyholders fairly. Only a plaintiff’s attorney is required to act in your best interests.
I can just hire a lawyer later.	True, but waiting too long to seek legal help can weaken your case, especially if you make a casual mistake talking to the insurance company.

Checklist: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Settlement?

Every case is different. However, if any of the following statements apply, consider speaking with an attorney as soon as possible.

• You were injured in the accident.
• Your claim has been delayed or denied.
• You’re unsure what your case is worth.
• The insurance company is trying to blame you for the accident.
• Liability is disputed or involves multiple parties.
• You received an offer that doesn’t cover all of your expenses.
• The insurance company is trying to pressure you.
• There’s a chance you may need to file a lawsuit.

Why Choose Floyd Hunter Injury Law?

At Floyd Hunter, we are local personal injury attorneys with over 80 years of combined experience. We’ve worked for major insurance companies, so we know how they operate, and now, we represent injured individuals statewide. We know the roads, courts, and insurance adjusters in Millbrook, Montgomery, and the entire River Region. We work on a contingency basis, so there’s no fee unless we win your case.

Don’t let the insurance company have the final say in what your car accident settlement is worth. If you’re ready to schedule a free case evaluation, contact us today.