The Consequences of Not Hiring a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident

A minor car accident is stressful and a hassle. So if you’re involved in a minor car accident, there’s a risk that you’ll take matters into your own hands, try and figure out what to do yourself, negotiate with the driver – or not do anything.
The outcome? You could end up paying thousands more, not just for damage caused but for other extra expenses, such as hiring a car to ensure you get to work on time. Go to Hale Law after a minor car accident; hiring an attorney gives you control over the situation. Read on to learn the consequences of not hiring a lawyer after a minor accident.
The Other Party Can Fake an Injury and Then Blame You
When you don’t hire a lawyer after a car accident, you open yourself to all kinds of problems. The other party may try to fake an injury and then blame you for it, or they may claim that the damage was worse than it was.
Either way, it can take months for your case to end—and even if it is in your favor, that doesn’t mean you’ll see any money from them until long after your medical bills get paid, and everything else gets settled.
The Insurance Adjuster Will Take Advantage of You
If you have been in a minor car accident and have not hired an attorney, you will have an insurance claim that is not fair. Insurance adjusters take advantage of people and their lack of knowledge about the law. You need to hire an attorney after a car accident, even if it is minor.
Your injuries may worsen due to improper treatment or neglect after being told by the insurance company that it was nothing serious for them to cover any expenses related to it (i.e., x-rays or MRIs).
If you do not hire an attorney, the insurance adjuster will negotiate with you on their terms. They will try to get a lot of money from you before paying anything. If they do not pay anything, it will likely be less than what they are legally required to pay under Florida law.
Delayed Symptoms May Develop Later, and the Opposing Party Will Deny the Accident. Is the Cause
When you go to the doctor and get diagnosed with whiplash or other injuries, it will be difficult to prove that the accident caused them. The insurance companies may deny your claim, leaving you to pay for treatment costs.
If there are no witnesses and no police report, then all you have is your word against theirs—and who do you think they’re going to believe?
Denial of Fault
In some cases, people who cause an accident will deny responsibility for their actions to avoid paying for damages caused by their negligence.
Denial of fault is a common occurrence in the aftermath of an accident. The idea that the other driver did something wrong and you didn’t can be devastating, especially if you’re still in shock from the incident. If you are unable to agree on who is at fault, it’s best to hire a lawyer who will be able to help you navigate the legal system while providing unbiased support and advice.
You May Miss Out on Important Benefits
If you get hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, your insurance company will pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injuries. They won’t pay these expenses if they don’t know about your claim. It could mean you have to pay out of pocket when you didn’t cause the accident.
You may have trouble getting treatment for injuries if you don’t have health insurance or if your insurance won’t cover treatment for injuries that happened in an accident that wasn’t your fault. In this situation, it would be better to have an attorney negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company so they’ll pay emergency medical bills while you’re waiting for health insurance payments.
Hiring legal counsel immediately after a car accident will allow you to mitigate damages and protect your rights. It lowers the admission of liability and will set you up for the best outcome. Hiring a lawyer is essential if seeking compensation for lost wages or the cost of medical treatment received at the hospital following an accident. In this case, hiring a lawyer is necessary to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries and damages.