Most automobiles on the road are built so well these days that low impact crashes do not produce much physical damage. The fact that the crash is low-impact and produces minor damage does not mean that there was not a significant injury. There may well have been a significant injury. If there indeed was a significant injury and treatment was obtained quickly and extensively, then that may rebut any suggestion that the minor damage somehow means minor injury.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Minor Car Accident?
To answer the above question, you need to first determine whether or not the injury is minor. If the injury is minor, you may not need an attorney. In fact an attorney may well be a detriment to your case. If your injury is minor and only involves 1 or 2 medical treatments, then you can gather those treatment records and bills and submit them to the insurance carrier on your own.
You probably don’t need an attorney for that. You can then make a demand for settlement to the insurance adjuster and they will probably settle with you. Keep in mind that they typically will not offer you what you are requesting.
If your injury involved more extensive treatment for several weeks or months, involved surgery or involved what you think are going to be long-term consequences, you probably should have an attorney for that type of case.
The attorney in this type of case can add value to the case. In particular in terms of making sure that all of the pertinent records and bills are submitted, making sure that any lost income claim is properly asserted and making sure that the claims adjuster fully understands the nature of the non-financial loss. The non-financial loss is what you lost over and above medical expenses incurred and lost wages incurred. That non-financial loss may be substantial.
There is no easy way to prove non-financial loss. However it can be proved through witness statements, statements from the plaintiff themself, photographs showing the extent of the injury and other forms of proof.
All of that needs to be pursued.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After a Minor Crash
The bottom line on whether you need an attorney is a function of what you can live with as far as a settlement. It is also a function of the seriousness of your injury. If the injury is minor, you’re probably going to have trouble finding an attorney to take the matter. If the injury is minor and you simply want to close the matter out quickly, then you are probably well served by representing yourself.
Where the injury is not minor and it looks like the injury may be long lasting, you probably want to have an attorney.
Free Case Review for Minor Car Accidents
Call, or contact us today for a free consultation. Also for more info on needing an attorney minor accident see the Wikipedia pages. Also see the post on this site dealing with car accident issues.
