Should I get a lawyer for a car wreck?
A car crash can mean many things. For example, it can be a simple fender bender where no one is hurt and there is no damage to the cars. Or it can a fatal car wreck where one or more persons are killed. These are both car wreck cases. But they are also two completely different things.
In the first example, you probably do not need a car crash lawyer. In the second one, you do. But what about car wreck cases that fall in between this spectrum? In other words, when should you get a car wreck lawyer to help you with your case?
Our post will answer that question. And we will show you why it is a good idea to contact an injury attorney after a car crash.
What do car crash lawyers do?
A car crash lawyer can help you with two things. The lawyer may file an auto claim to get your car fixed. And the lawyer can help you recover money for your bodily injury.
This can include getting the other driver’s insurance company to pay for your medical bills and pain medicine. On top of that, a car crash lawyer can help you recover money for lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as for the loss of a loved one.
Further, lawyers do this by working with the insurance company for the at-fault driver to pay these bills. In particular, the car wreck lawyer works up your case by gathering the proof he needs to settle your case. This proof includes police reports, eye witness statements, and your medical records.
Once the lawyer gathers all these documents, he provides them to the auto insurance adjuster to help settle the case. From there, the lawyer and adjuster often agree to an amount of money to settle these cases. If the client agrees to this offer, then the case will settle.
On the other hand, if the offer is too low, then the car crash lawyer can file a lawsuit and ask a jury to decide a fair amount. Similarly, your lawyer can sue the other driver if the other driver says he is not at fault.
Should I get a lawyer for a minor car wreck?
This is a tough question to answer. The reason is that even a minor car wreck can cause serious injuries. This means you should talk to your doctor to find out if you are hurt.
As an example, even a simple fender bender can cause you back injuries. Worse yet, the only way to find out if you are hurt is to get an MRI. For this reason, the best plan after a car wreck is to talk to your doctor.
To add to that, you should contact a car accident lawyer about your case. These consultations are usually free. And a good lawyer will give you helpful advice about your case. In short, there is no downside if you speak with a lawyer about your case.
How can a lawyer help me with a fatal car wreck case?
Unfortunately, no lawyer can really help you with a fatal car wreck case. That’s because it is not possible to bring back a lost loved one. That is what makes these types of cases tragic and heartbreaking.
But a lawyer can help you figure out who caused the wreck. And more to the point, a lawyer can help you figure out who should pay for the harm. As an example, if it is an 18-wheeler crash, then the lawyer can sue the company or companies that hired the trucker. Or if it is a DWI wreck, then your lawyer can sue both the driver and the bar that overserved the drunk driver.
Again, no amount of money will ever make the loss of a loved one okay. But it can give you your day in court to seek justice for your loved one. At the same time, a settlement can also give you a sense of closure.
The right car crash lawyer can walk you through the legal process while also respecting the loss of your loved one.
How do car crash lawyers get paid in Texas?
Most car wreck lawyers work on a contingency fee. Stated differently, the lawyer will get a cut of your case if he settles or wins your suit. If the lawyer does not settle or win the case, then the lawyer gets nothing.
Further, the lawyer pays the costs and expenses of the lawsuit. This helps the client because these type of cases can get expensive. Once the case settles, then the lawyer will deduct the expenses from the settlement.
On top of that, most contingency fee contracts range from 33% to 40% of the settlement. The contract will tell you the exact amount. As a result, you should read the contract carefully and ask questions if you are not sure how the contract works.
The bottom line on car crash lawyers.
A lawyer will help you if a bad driver crashes into your car and hurts you. Notably, the lawyer will help you get your car fixed. The lawyer will also help you get money from the insurance company to pay for your medical bills and lost wages.
But you should first decide if you want to hire an attorney. If it is a minor fender bender with no real harm, then you can probably settle the case yourself. In contrast, always hire an attorney if you are hurt or if someone you loved is killed in the wreck.
Finally, if you are not sure what to do next, then contact a lawyer. It is the smart thing to do after a car wreck.
San Antonio Car Crash Attorney Genaro R. Cortez.
Genaro R. Cortez is a car wreck attorney in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated early from Texas Tech School of Law in December 2002. And the State Bar of Texas admitted him to practice law on May 5, 2003.
Phone: 210-733-7575. Were you hurt in a car crash? Call today for a free case review.