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When do you need a lawyer for a car accident? This is a question that many injured victims ask themselves after car crashes.

There is no law in Alabama that requires injured accident victims to hire attorneys when filing personal injury claims after car accidents. Some auto accident victims choose to enlist lawyers so they can focus on healing and recovery while also pursuing their car accident claim in Alabama.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should first seek medical attention. Once you receive medical care, you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer to protect your legal rights and interests.

An experienced auto accident attorney can file a personal injury claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company to help you secure maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.

At Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, our legal team is ready to help with all aspects of your case.

Mobile, Alabama Lawyers

Contact us today at (251) 444-7000 to find out how a car accident attorney can help you with your claim.

Do I Even Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

Many injured victims often find themselves asking this question. The simple and straightforward answer is “yes, you do.” Even after a serious and catastrophic accident, some injured victims in Alabama may think they don’t need legal representation. One may believe that since their own insurance company is handling their claim, there is no need to enlist the services of an attorney.

Unfortunately, it’s not usually that simple. At Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, our auto attorneys understand this and have extensive experience taking on large insurance companies in Alabama that seek to delay, limit, or deny personal injury claims.

Here are some common ways our lawyers can assist with your personal injury claim:

  • Offer free case evaluation
  • Advise you on the appropriate steps to follow
  • Investigate your car accident
  • Identify all potential payout sources
  • Document your damages
  • Consult with experts
  • Handle settlement negotiations
  • Argue your case in Alabama courts, if necessary.

The above are just a few ways in which our car accident lawyers can help after a crash. To receive sound legal advice, contact Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana as soon as possible.

When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

Whenever a lawyer offers free consultations, it’s never a bad idea to let them take a look at your case and get their professional legal opinion. You should always review your auto accident claim with a lawyer who offers a free case evaluation.

Even if you sustain a “minor” injury, it’s best to seek legal advice before making any decisions regarding your personal injury case. Remember, the same minor injury may require an epidural, physical therapy, or other forms of special treatment. Your claim could be worth thousands more, and a knowledgeable car accident attorney could make all the difference.

Here are some of the circumstances that warrant the services of a personal injury lawyer in Alabama:

Your Injury Is Serious

If you sustain a severe injury, you have more money at stake, and the insurance carrier will try to minimize your payout. A “serious” injury doesn’t have to require hospitalization or surgery. Bone fractures that require long-term treatment or injections may be considered serious injuries.

You Are Unsure About the Severity of Your Injuries

After a car accident, it’s normal for victims to wonder if they are getting better. You may question whether the initial treatment is working and wonder whether your condition will gradually improve. You may also experience intense physical pain after an auto wreck.

If you are in such a situation, an Alabama car accident lawyer can help you see the best specialists for your car accident injury and hold the defendant liable for the actual value of your claim. This represents future medical expenses, not just what has been diagnosed so far.

You Can’t Afford Medical Care

If another party is to blame for your car accident, you should never have to worry about the cost of your medical treatment. If you’re worried about how you’ll cover your medical treatment expenses, this is a clear sign the insurer isn’t offering you fair compensation.

Your car accident attorney in Alabama can help you get appropriate treatment now and push for a larger settlement that covers all your medical care expenses.

The Insurer Blames You

Insurance companies may employ a variety of strategies to shift blame to you. They may argue that you didn’t report your car collision on time. Insurance adjusters may also claim you worsened the situation by not seeking medical treatment. Insurance companies use these tactics to reduce their liability in personal injury claims.

If you find yourself in this situation, you need legal representation. An experienced car accident lawyer can look into the facts of your case to determine who is at fault for your crash.

You Missed Work Time

Most insurance companies always undervalue the time you spent at home or in the hospital due to your injuries. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine the compensation you deserve for all your missed workdays and push for a fair payout.

The Insurer Isn’t Taking Your Injuries Seriously

Insurance companies are profit-driven companies. Regardless of how nice and friendly an insurance adjuster may seem, they don’t always have your best interests at heart. Their key objective is to minimize, delay, or deny your compensation.

Once they determine the value of your diagnosis and treatment, it’s none of their business whether the treatment worked or not. For this reason, it’s best to have a reliable attorney by your side who can force them to acknowledge the extent and severity of your injuries.

Multiple Parties Were Involved

If you are involved in a multiple-car accident in Alabama, it’s best to enlist the services of a lawyer as soon as possible. During such a scenario, there is a likelihood that more than one insurance company may be trying to build a case against you. All insurance companies involved may investigate the car accident to shift blame to other parties.

Here are other situations that may warrant the help of a car accident lawyer:

  • The tragic crash resulted in a wrongful death. If you’ve lost a loved one in a similar incident, seeking the guidance of a Mobile, AL wrongful death lawyer can be invaluable. They can help you understand your legal rights, navigate the complex legal system, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
  • You experienced non-economic losses like depression, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
  • The accident took place in a school zone, construction zone, work zone, or any other questionable area.
  • The paperwork isn’t accurate, including insurance letters/emails and police reports.
  • The insurance company isn’t playing nice — acting in bad faith or in breach of contract.
  • The car accident involves an underinsured or uninsured driver.
  • Case details are complicated (medical, legal, and technical).

When To Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, life can become a cluster of questions and expensive hospital bills. Do I need to hire a lawyer? When do I need a lawyer for a car accident? How long do I have to hire one? Who do I hire?

The sooner you hire an auto accident lawyer, the better. You should reach out to Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana soon after you’ve received medical care following your accident.

Remember, insurance adjusters may be calling your phone relentlessly to get a statement from you regarding the incident. Let an experienced attorney handle such talks while you rest and recuperate after your accident.

Here are some of the reasons why you should hire an attorney as soon as possible after an accident:

Evidence Can Disappear

Like skid marks on an Alabama road, evidence will naturally disappear as time passes. Other evidence, such as damaged car parts left at the scene, can be cleaned up shortly after the accident. The at-fault party may also carry this evidence, making it harder for you to prove liability. CCTV footage from nearby buildings may be erased over time.

Evidence is most effective if gathered immediately after the crash. Your car accident attorney can gather and analyze relevant evidence soon after your accident.

Eyewitnesses’ Memories Can Fade

It’s easier to clearly remember what happened yesterday than two months ago since memories can fade over time. Eyewitnesses may not remember crucial incident details, such as whether the defendant was distracted, if you wait long before reaching out to them.

Eyewitness testimony is critical in any personal injury claim. Even though their accounts of the events are solid evidence, this is only true if they can still remember what happened on that tragic day.

Documentation of Your Damages

When filing a car accident claim in Alabama, you should aim to secure maximum compensation that covers all your accident-related losses and expenses. You must start documenting your losses soon after your accident.

While you may not forget how costly your medical expenses were, your lawyer may keep track of other losses, like fuel costs for hospital visits and other miscellaneous expenses.

Statute of Limitations

In Alabama, injured victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This is referred to as the “statute of limitations.” Once this window expires, you won’t be eligible for compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses.

Schedule Your Free Case Review with a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you should consider hiring an experienced Mobile, AL car accident lawyer from Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana. Our car crash law firm has an experienced legal team ready to hold at-fault parties accountable for their negligent actions.

Contact us today at 251-444-7000 to schedule your free, no-obligation case review. Learn more about how we can help you.