If you were involved in a car accident, you might think you can handle your claim on your own and that you don’t need a lawyer. You might be right. If the accident only resulted in minor property damage, you may be able to handle the claim without legal assistance.
However, sometimes, you should seriously consider hiring a car accident lawyer to handle the claims process for you, such as if any of the following apply to your situation:
You’ve Been Seriously Injured
Car accident victims can suffer severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
If you have suffered a serious injury, consider hiring a car accident lawyer. Your claim may be valuable, but you may need legal assistance to help prove this. A lawyer can fight for maximum compensation for your car accident claim that accounts for the full extent of your damages.
The Insurance Company Is Not Cooperating
Insurance companies do not want to pay what is fair for your claim.
They may try various tactics to deny or devalue your claim or cause you to abandon it altogether, such as:
- Demanding a recorded statement from you so they can use your words against you
- Requesting that you sign a medical release form so they can obtain old medical records to blame your injuries on a previous incident, and deny responsibility
- Failing to acknowledge documentation you have submitted to support your claim, or requesting the same information over and over
- Failing to investigate the claim or making blanket denials
- Failing to process one part of your claim (like your property damage claim) until you agree to settle the rest of the claim
If you are encountering these issues, it’s a sign you need a lawyer.
The Insurance Company Has Denied Your Claim
The insurance company may deny your claim, citing reasons such as no fault in the accident, insufficient evidence, or exaggeration of your claim value. Sometimes, it may not provide a reason at all. To reopen the claim and obtain compensation, you might need to hire a lawyer.
The Insurance Company Is Trying To Blame You for the Accident
The insurance company may be trying to blame you for part or all of your accident. The effect of this tactic varies by jurisdiction. Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system. This system means that you can still recover compensation, even if you were partially to blame for the crash.
For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault, you will still be entitled to recover 70% of your total damages.
The Accident Involves Complex Legal Issues
The accident could involve complex legal issues that need a lawyer to untangle. For example, the drivers may have very different versions of how the collision happened, and liability may be in dispute. Multiple parties could potentially be at fault for the accident. A government entity or employer relationship may impact the case. These situations call for legal assistance.
The Statute of Limitations Is Approaching
Each state has its own time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In Louisiana, the deadline to bring a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. If the deadline is approaching, you should contact a car accident lawyer to preserve your rights.
You have the right to hire a car accident lawyer to represent your interests. You’ve been through enough and can benefit from having a dedicated legal advocate on your side. Reach out to an experienced Metairie car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about how hiring an attorney can benefit you.
Contact a Metairie Car Accident Lawyer at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers
For more information, please contact the experienced Metairie car accident lawyers at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers today. We offer an initial free consultation.
We proudly serve Louisiana and its surrounding areas, including Metairie, Gretna, and Kenner.
Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers
3500 N Hullen St Suite 17K
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 323-6000
Our law firm is located near you.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.01245719602678, -90.15811234232851