When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Crash?
February 13, 2023 | By Colombo Law
A Morgantown car accident lawyer can help if you or someone you love was injured in a collision. Car accidents are extremely common, frequently resulting in significant property damage, injuries, and fatalities.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it may be difficult to know what to do next. Every accident is unique, and you may be unsure how serious it is and what to expect in the aftermath. Will it be easy to recover compensation for the damages—including medical bills—or will it be a fight? What kind of information should you be collecting? What should you do if the other driver’s insurance company calls you?
These are just a few of the questions you will be facing after an accident, questions most people do not know the answer to. After all, most of us are not regularly involved in car accidents; as common as accidents are, they are a rare occurrence in most individuals’ lives.
This is one of the main benefits of working with a car accident lawyer. We handle dozens of car accident cases every year and have helped thousands of accident victims pursue compensation. Here, we are going to take a closer look at what benefits we can bring to your car accident case, when you should talk to a lawyer, whether or not you can represent yourself, and more.
For a FREE case review, call Colombo Law at (304) 599-4229 to speak to a Morgantown car accident lawyer. Our attorneys serve clients throughout West Virginia.
Why You Might Need a Car Accident Lawyer
One of the most important things to understand about a car accident claim is that insurance companies are not on your side. They do not have your best interest in mind, regardless of what they say. Instead, they are going to try to minimize your claim and pay you as little as possible.
Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are very good at what they do. They will try to take advantage of what you do not understand about your situation in an attempt to get you to say something that could hurt your claim. They may also offer you a quick settlement before you realize how much your claim may actually be worth.
Hiring a Morgantown car accident lawyer can remove this risk. Experienced attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies, calculate damages, negotiate a fair settlement, and present your case at trial (if necessary). Your lawyer will serve as your advocate and representative, ensuring the insurance company does not take advantage of you.
Should I Talk to a Lawyer Right Away After a Car Accident?
After receiving the medical attention you need following an accident, yes, you should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner your lawyer can visit the accident site, locate and speak with potential witnesses, gather evidence, and begin building your case, the better. Unfortunately, when car accident victims wait to reach out to a lawyer, it can result in the loss of crucial evidence.
Furthermore, the sooner you can receive guidance on how to deal with insurance companies – who will be calling you if they have not already – and how to manage your medical treatment, the less likely it is that you will make a mistake that harms your case.
Can I Represent Myself?
While nothing stops you from representing yourself, it can be a larger undertaking than people sometimes realize. Beyond dealing with insurance companies, you also need to have a thorough understanding of West Virginia personal injury laws. You will also need to be prepared to collect evidence, interview witnesses, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and more—all while trying to heal from injuries, manage your work situation, and more.
Hiring an attorney, on the other hand, allows you to focus on getting better while your case is in good hands.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Every state has its own laws related to how long after an accident you can file a lawsuit. In West Virginia, you have 2 years after a car accident to do so.
If you attempt to bring a lawsuit after those 2 years, it will almost certainly be thrown out. (There are a couple of exceptions, including if an accident victim is a minor, in which case the statute of limitations will not begin until the accident victim turns 18.)
While 2 years may seem like a lot of time, you should never wait this long to talk to a lawyer. Beyond the reasons discussed above, including the loss of evidence, keep in mind that your attorney will need time to investigate the accident, build your case, and file a lawsuit—all of which takes time to do right.
Contact a Morgantown Car Accident Lawyer Today
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, especially a serious one, can be extremely frustrating and difficult. After being involved in an accident that seemed entirely random and unfair, you now have to worry about being taken advantage of by insurance companies while trying to navigate the claims process and your medical treatment.
Colombo Law is here to help. We understand what you are going through and how to ensure that your rights are protected. Our goal is to recover as much compensation as possible for your losses, keeping negligent drivers – and their insurance companies – accountable.
If you are worried about the costs associated with hiring an attorney, rest assured that we offer all our clients our No Fee Promise. You will not be required to pay us unless and until we collect damages for you.
For a FREE consultation with a Morgantown car accident lawyer, contact Colombo Law today. We have extensive experience representing the victims of car accidents in West Virginia.