Whether you were hurt in a fender bender or a serious accident that wasn’t your fault, recovering the money you’re owed for your injuries and other losses can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming.
Many people in this situation are dealing with medical appointments, car repairs, missed time from work, and a whole host of other challenges. In the midst of all this chaos and worry, you may be considering hiring an attorney to help you navigate the legal process, but when do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?
Knowing the answer to this question is important, as car accident claims are time sensitive and taking the right steps at the right time will give you the best chance of getting any compensation you deserve. Continue reading to find out when you should consider hiring an attorney after a car wreck in Montgomery, AL.
When an Insurance Company Delays or Denies Compensation
One of the most important things to keep in mind after a car accident is that insurance companies are for profit businesses that make their money by paying as little as they can get away with for people’s claims.
If you’ve been in a serious accident, you can expect that the insurance company will try to delay or outright deny the compensation you desperately need for your injuries and other losses. They do this by using sneaky and aggressive tactics to trick people into accepting low settlement offers. For example, you may find the insurance adjuster is willing to cover all the costs of your medical bills. That alone is enough to make some people happy enough to accept, but the reality is that may only be a portion of the compensation they’re actually owed.
In these situations, a car accident attorney will be able to help you calculate all the damages you may be entitled to, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more. Having the right attorney on your side will greatly improve your chance of negotiating a better settlement.
When You’re Struggling to Prove Fault
Alabama is an at-fault state, meaning if you were in an accident that you believe was not your fault, you must prove that the other driver was responsible in order to receive compensation for your losses. It’s also important to know that Alabama is one of the few states that enforces the law of contributory negligence. This means the other party must be found fully responsible for your accident. Unlike other states, if you’re found to be even partially responsible for your accident in Alabama, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
This is one of the many reasons why having a lawyer by your side as soon as possible is key to a successful claim. The right attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to help prove that you were not at fault and deserve compensation.
When You’ve Suffered Serious Physical and Emotional Injuries
After a car accident, expenses such as your medical bills and lost wages are easy to calculate, but these aren’t the only losses you can suffer as a result of a serious wreck. You may be able to receive compensation for what’s known as “non-economic damages.” This includes things like your physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the day-to-day impact your accident has had on your life.
While you deserve compensation for these losses just as much as your economic losses, non-economic damages are harder to quantify and insurance companies will likely try to trivialize the impact your accident has had on you.
If you’ve suffered serious physical and emotional pain as a result of your accident, it’s a good idea to seek help from a Montgomery, AL, car accident attorney as soon as possible, so they can help you seek every penny you’re entitled to.
Contact the Thumbs Up Guys® Today
When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer? While every case is different, the answer to this question is usually the sooner the better!
Don’t wait. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Montgomery, AL, contact the Thumbs Up Guys® at Floyd Hunter Injury Law by calling 334-452-4000 or by filling out our online form for a free case review today!
