While minor car accidents are far better than major or more serious ones, a minor auto collision can still cause injuries, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment, or simply affect the quality of life. Others may assume that these accidents do not even cause any pain or damage at all. But before concluding that what happened to you is not a big deal, you must ask yourself: should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?
The answer is yes! You might not know that you have a right to compensation, even in minor car accidents. Even if you feel a little pain and discomfort, it is still worth getting professional help from a personal injury lawyer so that you can get the proper evaluations and treatment for your injuries. Whether for spinal, headache, soft-tissue, whiplash, wrist, knee, or shoulder injury, you need to make sure that both the unseen and obvious injuries you sustained from a car accident will be treated.
What is a Minor Car Accident?
A minor car accident is an auto collision where only slight damage is visible. For example, if a taillight or headlight was busted, there is slight fender bender issue, or the car only has scratches. Because of the minor property damage, it may be assumed the impact was low. Thus, the occupants involved may not have sustained severe injuries. Most often, these accidents are caused by a low-speed vehicle.
If you or someone you know just got into car mishap, you may ask yourself, “ why should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?” Do you need an attorney to file the accident claim against the responsible party’s insurance provider?
Why you should get a lawyer for a minor car accident in California
Insurance adjusters are notoriously tricky. If you file your claim without a personal injury lawyer, they may give you a lower offer than the true value of your case. You might also not know how to handle the case on your own. Here are some important reasons why you should file an insurance claim for a minor car accident:
1. The damages may be more than what you assume.
Mostly on low-speed rear-end collisions, adjusters assume that the responsible party’s liability is only on the minimal property damage and not the bodily injuries. If you have legal representation, you will learn that the undercarriage, suspension, and alignment, among others, require inspection even if the exterior damage seems minimal.
When these car parts reflect any damage, we can conclude that the impact made a significant impact on your vehicle. Suppose your adjuster argues that you would not have sustained any physical injury and required medical attention with that low-impact claim, your car accident lawyer can argue, using the vehicle damage logs, police reports, and medical professional evaluations, that the accident is not minor at all.
2. Your injuries might manifest a few days after the minor car accident.
Due to the adrenaline rush, shock, and surprise after the collision, accident victims’ body’s injuries from a minor crash might not manifest right then and there. This may cause the injured client to refuse to be taken to the emergency room immediately after the accident. But, later or a few days after, he or she might start suffering from physical pain and discomfort.
Sometimes, this is used by claim adjusters to question the causation of accident victims’ injuries, especially when the gap between the accident and the time medical intervention was sought is wide. Skilled attorneys experienced in handling auto accident claims will ascertain the reason behind the gap and make sure that the insurance company understands it.
3. The other party might bring a claim against your insurance company.
If you underestimate the minor car accident you’ve been through and brush it aside, you may be surprised that the at-fault party had already filed a claim against your insurance policy. Unfortunately, the accident injury claim might come with exaggerations of what happened or even come with false statements. If this happens to you, seek the help of an experienced lawyer to ensure you get fair compensation.
4. You will benefit from having legal representation.
An experienced car accident lawyer has expertise in personal injury protection. With their training and exposure in the field, you can rest assured that our motor vehicle accident claim will be handled well. Your case will be investigated thoroughly to determine the liability of the other party and later present it effectively to achieve maximum insurance settlement.
In addition, a seasoned crash attorney, whether for a major or minor accident, has the negotiation skills required to ensure that the best outcome is achieved for you.
Why Should I Get A Lawyer For A Minor Car Accident?
Most reports attribute the high number of deaths on I-15 to driver behavior, such as speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For a time, it was rumored that the road was not regularly patrolled by police, which encouraged more bad behavior by drivers in a hurry to get to the Strip for a weekend getaway or in a hurry to get home.
Without a doubt, driving on the Golden State Freeway is inherently hazardous. Any head on car accident lawyer will tell you that the accidents in this highway are commonly a result of:
- Driving while distracted
- Lane changes that are unsafe
- Speeding
- Dangerous driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Driving while tired
- Defects on the highway
- Defects in vehicles
- Construction sites that are unsafe
Call A Head On Car Accident Lawyer
Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident? The answer is “yes.” When you hire a car accident lawyer, they will do the following for you:
- File the claim with the responsible party’s insurance provider on your behalf.
- Investigate your case to support your claim with police reports and other relevant evidence.
- Get you the proper medical treatment you require, even for what seems like a minor car crash.
- Handle communications with claim adjusters and negotiate your compensation claim effectively.
- Finally, file a complaint in court if necessary.
Your lawyer also knows that your case has a statute of limitations of two years in California. This means that the personal injury complaint should be filed before or within the two-year period from the time the accident happened. If you go for accident settlements against the responsible party’s insurer beyond this period, you may not receive compensation because your claim is deemed barred.
Now that you know why you should get a lawyer for a minor car accident, or any accident for that matter, you should then find the right legal team to handle your case.
Call Farahi Law Firm Now
If you get involved in a vehicle accident that was not your fault, contact Farahi Law Firm for a compassionate and professional legal representation. From auto collisions, dog bites, and wrongful deaths to slip and fall cases, Farahi Law Firm is the personal injury law firm that you can depend on.
Our personal injury attorneys will assist you in your claim for financial compensation for any accident caused by another person’s negligence. Contact us for free legal consultation for your minor car accident.
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