Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident?

June 4, 2025 | By Colombo Law

There is nothing easy about the aftermath of a car accident. Victims often face many challenges, from receiving the right medical treatment to determining how and when they can get back to work. Having an attorney for a car accident can make an enormous difference in your recovery.

While you may be eligible for compensation, the legal burden of pursuing that compensation can, unfortunately, also be substantial. Submitting the appropriate paperwork, calculating damages, negotiating with insurance companies while avoiding their manipulative tactics, and potentially filing a lawsuit are complex, time-consuming tasks.

This is why hiring a car accident attorney can be so worthwhile. Beyond removing this burden so you can focus on getting better, we also help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve for your damages.

Call Colombo Law at 304-599-4229 to review the details of your case for FREE. Our car accident lawyers serve clients in and around Morgantown and throughout West Virginia.

When Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Generally speaking, the greater your damages, the more valuable having an attorney will be. This is for two major reasons:

The stakes are higher: If you are facing tens of thousands of dollars or more in medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, you cannot afford to be unprepared.
Insurance companies will aggressively fight back: With high-value claims, insurance companies tend to do much more to limit the compensation they pay out. This may include offering low-ball settlements, trying to get you to agree to make recorded statements, and more.

Beyond the value of a claim, some other factors that can call for legal guidance from a qualified car accident attorney include:

Disputed liability
Multiple parties involved (i.e., a multi-vehicle collision)
Long-term medical treatment is needed

Each of these issues can increase the complexity of a claim, making an attorney’s services that much more valuable.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

When you hire an attorney for a car accident, their primary objective is to help you recover as much compensation as possible for your damages. Key steps an experienced lawyer can take on your behalf include:

Investigating the Accident and Establishing Liability

Winning compensation relies on your ability to prove another party’s negligence. This requires clear evidence such as video footage, photos of the accident scene, cell phone records, and more. An attorney can help gather this evidence and interview any witnesses who saw the accident take place to help build a strong foundation for your claim.

Calculating the Value of Your Claim

Once you have proved liability, you then need to determine how much your claim is worth. Your attorney can help calculate these damages, taking all of your short- and long-term medical costs, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages into account. This helps to ensure you recover enough to fully cover the costs associated with the accident.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Once you have a clear sense of how much compensation you deserve, your attorney will then work to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. A good lawyer will know how to position your claim for the best result possible to maximize your settlement.

If you are unable to reach a fair settlement agreement, your attorney should also be able to handle the litigation process to fight your claim in court. While this is rarely a first option, it is important to keep in mind if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith.

Do Insurance Companies Want You to Get a Lawyer?

No, insurance companies would much prefer dealing directly with a claimant instead of a lawyer. This is because an experienced attorney knows how to hold them accountable; it is much easier to take advantage of someone who is unfamiliar with the car accident claims process.

For example, an insurance company may ask for your medical records, saying they need them to validate your medical treatment. However, the real reason they want access to your records is so they can find ways to poke holes in your claim and limit your compensation.

A good lawyer helps you avoid these tactics while staying focused on what matters most: recovering the compensation you need and deserve for your damages.

What Type of Lawyers Deal with Car Accidents?

While the benefits of hiring an attorney for a car accident should be clear, it is important to hire the right kind of attorney. You might know a lawyer who handles other legal matters, such as criminal defense or tax litigation, but that does not mean they know how to handle a car accident claim.

Some things you should look for include:

Local: You want to hire an attorney who understands local laws and regulations and how the courts work. Make sure your lawyer is licensed to practice in West Virginia.
Personal injury lawyer: Most personal injury attorneys handle car accident claims and understand how to manage the claims process effectively.
A proven track record: You want to make sure the attorney you hire has proven results representing car accident victims.

Focusing on these key elements helps to ensure the lawyer you hire is well-versed in relevant laws and is well-equipped to handle the specific nuances of car accident claims and litigation, including negligence, liability disputes, negotiating with insurance companies, and more.

Get Help from an Experienced Attorney After a Car Accident

Making the decision to hire a lawyer to represent you is no small step. It can be pivotal for ensuring your rights are protected, especially when you hire a firm that has extensive experience representing accident victims.

Also, keep in mind that most car accident law firms, including Colombo Law, only charge their clients if and when they obtain compensation on their behalf. We call this our No Fee Promise, and we stand by it for every car accident case we take on.

Contact Colombo Law Today

At Colombo Law, we have recovered millions in compensation for car accident victims throughout West Virginia. We know how easy it can be to fall into one of the many traps insurance companies set for accident victims. Our priority is to help you combat these tactics so you can focus on getting better.

To speak with a qualified attorney after a car accident, contact Colombo Law for FREE.