Do You Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Car accidents vary in severity, with some minor fender benders leaving only a small scratch on the body of the car, while other collisions send motorists to the hospital. Do you need a lawyer after your accident? There are many considerations, and you can contact Snyder Heitman, LLC, for advice.
What is a Minor Car Accident?
Many people wrongly think their accidents are “minor” when, in reality, they suffer significant injuries and lose money. If you suffered any bodily injury, then your case is not necessarily minor. You probably need an attorney.
Some people can handle their own insurance claim in the following situations:
- Nobody suffered a bodily injury in the accident.
- Your vehicle suffered damage, but that’s it.
If these facts are true, then you can probably handle a property-damage-only claim. There is less dispute over the value of car repairs, so you should be able to get your car fixed.
However, if you suffered any type of bodily injury, then it’s valuable to meet with an attorney to discuss whether you should hire them.
Why Bodily Injuries Are Different
More is at stake when a motorist suffers a painful injury in a crash. It makes sense to meet with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine the possible value of a claim. As part of a settlement, we can often request pain and suffering or emotional distress damages (or both). A skilled advocate can demand more compensation than you probably would get if you tackled your own case.
When a crash results in only property damage, then there is an easy way to find out the market value of repairs. Because there is less wriggle room, a lawyer would make less of a difference to your case.
Minor Injuries That Aren’t Minor
Some people feel slightly “shaken up” after a car accident but otherwise believe they are okay. Nonetheless, you could suffer from significant injuries.
For example, brain injuries often take a day or two to fully manifest. Over the coming weeks, you could deal with some common symptoms, including headaches, trouble concentrating, and memory loss. What seemed insignificant could quickly leave you disabled.
The same is true of other injuries like back pain or joint injuries. They can degenerate over time, leaving some people housebound and unable to work.
Many car accident victims overlook mental distress, also. You could deal with anxiety or depression following a crash, which can result in significant compensation.
Make sure to contact an attorney if your child was injured in the crash. Negotiating settlements for child victims requires detailed knowledge of the rules in South Carolina. If you try to deal with your case on your own, you could leave valuable compensation on the table.
Contact Our Law Firm to Find Out More
Our Greenville car accident lawyers can review the facts surrounding the case and analyze whether you benefit from a lawyer. Our consultations are free and without strings attached, so there is no reason not to call. We have represented those in Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina, also.