Signs You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Liability Between the Drivers Is Disputed

Missouri is an at-fault state when it comes to the issue of compensation after a car accident. This means that the amount of monetary compensation you can get depends on whether you contributed to the accident and how much of the responsibility is yours. If the other driver involved is clearly at fault, you may not have issues getting the compensation you deserve. All you’ll need to do is file your car accident claim with the insurance company and provide documents to support your claim, such as the police report.

But if there is evidence that you somehow contributed to the accident, the other driver’s insurance company may want to reduce the amount you get by wrongly attributing most of the responsibility for the accident to you. In such cases, you’ll need a competent Auto Accident Lawyer to fight for you and ensure you’re not shortchanged in any way.

 

The Accident Involved Multiple Vehicles

Determining liability between the parties is difficult when a car accident involves multiple vehicles. Because of the complexities involved, such cases are usually resolved through litigation. The court would examine the evidence and apportion a percentage of blame to the responsible parties, which would determine the amount of money they would need to pay as compensation to the victim(s).

To succeed during the litigation process, you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence and legal arguments to help the judge see things from your perspective and decide in your favor. Experienced Car Accident Attorneys understand how the law in such cases works, and they can help to advance your case toward a positive outcome at the trial.

Remember, the other parties would likely have their attorneys representing them. As such going through the process without legal counsel and representation would put you at a disadvantage, and you may end up being saddled with more responsibility because you could not prove your case. Therefore, if your accident involved multiple vehicles, consider it a sign that you need a car accident attorney as soon as possible.

 

You Are Uninsured

Generally, car accident victims can claim damages for the following;

• Economic Losses: this term refers to the actual expenses the victims incurred, such as the cost of medical treatment and vehicle repair.
• Non-economic Losses: These are losses that can’t be quantified financially but contribute to the victim’s distress, such as pain and suffering.

If your vehicle was uninsured at the time of your accident, the general belief is that people like you are only entitled to economic damages and are disqualified from claiming non-economic damages due to your uninsured status. But that assertion is only half true. By Missouri law, you may be able to successfully claim non-economic damages as an uninsured driver in certain circumstances, including the following;

• The at-fault driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.
• Your insurance provider terminated your insurance policy at least six months before the accident without notifying you.
• The at-fault driver is also uninsured.

A competent Car Accident Lawyer can assess the evidence in your case and determine whether any of these exceptions would apply. They can also help you navigate the compensation process to ensure you’re not cheated out of your entitlements despite your status.

Being uninsured during your accident is no reason to abandon your claim. Instead, consider it a sign that you need professional legal help.

 

Your Car Accident Injuries Led to Long Term Disabilities

Sometimes injuries caused by a car accident may lead to permanent or long-term disabilities. In such cases, you would likely need continuous medical treatment, the cost of which may be difficult to determine when you file your personal injury insurance claim. To avoid getting underpaid by the insurance company, you may need to hire a car accident lawyer to ensure future expenses are considered when negotiating a settlement.

 

You Have a Dispute With the Insurance Company

Some insurance companies could be difficult to deal with. Due to their desire to make more money, they could throw different hurdles in your way during the compensation process to frustrate you and make you settle for less than you deserve. They could even deny your claim outrightly.

Once the compensation process gets complicated by such issues, it may be time to involve a fierce car accident attorney to fight for you. Skilled car accident attorneys are familiar with the unfair tactics insurance companies use to refuse or minimize compensation payouts. They’ll know how to protect your interests and ensure your insurance claim succeeds. If the insurance company doesn’t budge, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit against them to secure their compliance.

The above signs may serve as a guide to help you determine when to involve a personal injury attorney after a car accident. But ultimately, the decision to hire a lawyer depends on the specific details of your case. Still, getting an auto accident attorney to assess your case after your accident would not hurt. The outcome of the assessment can help you decide whether you need to retain the lawyer’s services to facilitate the compensation process as you advance.