Ochs Law Firm Blog

How Do I Know if I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

very damaged car after re ended another one. The front bumper is smashed in.

Small car accidents happen every day, but the bigger the accident, the more likely it is that you will need compensation for injuries and damages you may have sustained. Unfortunately, many insurance companies like to dodge compensation claims for people who have been in accidents. You may need the assistance of a car accident lawyer in Laramie, Wyoming and Cheyenne, Wyoming if you’ve been in a major accident, or you are seeking compensation for personal injuries in the area.

How Do I Know if I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are some circumstances where you may need the help of a car accident lawyer to receive the compensation you deserve for your damages and injuries. For example, if you are struggling with your insurance company or accident adjuster after a car crash, it may be time to consult a lawyer. The circumstances that indicate you need expert legal help include:

You Have Major Injuries or Damages

If you have major injuries, such as broken bones, temporary or permanent disability, traumatic brain injury, or any other major medical consequence that requires surgery after an accident, then you may want to hire a lawyer to seek compensation for medical bills.

Major injuries can have long-lasting consequences on your life, especially in terms of your ability to earn a living and support yourself. If your injuries required continued treatment, such as physical therapy, or caused your medical insurance bills to become unaffordable, then compensation from the driver responsible for your accident may be necessary so that you can avoid financial ruin.

Personal Property Damages

Furthermore, you may need the help of a lawyer who specializes in car accidents if the damages to your vehicle are excessive or beyond repair. Major property damage from a car accident isn’t always covered by your insurance policy, which means that you may have lost your only mode of transportation as a result of the accident. In this case, the driver who was responsible for these damages should pay compensation so that you can recover your vehicle.

You Suspect DUI Was Involved in Your Accident

If you suspect that driving under the influence was involved in your car accident, then it’s best to hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Car accidents involving DUIs will usually be reported to the police so that there is documented evidence that intoxication was involved in an accident. In these cases, the intoxicated driver is generally held responsible for all damages and injuries.

If the DUI that was involved in your accident also contributed to life-altering damages or injuries, including loss of limb or life, then the compensation you or your family deserve for the accident may need to be sought in civil court. In many cases, only the help of a lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

You Are Being Contacted By Lawyers or Insurance Companies

If you’re being contacted by insurance companies or lawyers after an accident, then the smartest thing for you to do is have legal representation. When you’re represented by a lawyer, your rights as a victim of the accident will be protected. By having a lawyer on your side, insurance companies may be more likely to treat you fairly.

Other lawyers will be able to discuss the details of your case with your lawyer instead, which can reduce your stress so you can focus on recovery. If you are being continually contacted by an insurance company or lawyers, politely pass on your legal representative’s contact information instead of making any statements.

Your Insurance Claim Has Been Denied

There are also cases where your own insurance company may deny your claim for various reasons. Because you pay an insurance premium for coverage so that you can recover more easily after an accident, it can be a gross violation of your insurance contract to have your claims repeatedly denied. If you suspect that your car accident claim is being denied for an unfair reason, you may need the help of a lawyer to get your claim from your insurance company.

How Can a Lawyer in Laramie, Wyoming and Cheyenne, Wyoming Help?

There are several ways that a lawyer in Laramie, Wyoming or Cheyenne, Wyoming can help you with your case. For example, simply by having a legal representative, you’re more likely to be treated fairly by other lawyers or insurance companies. Some other specific ways a lawyer can help you include:

Research Your Case

A car accident lawyer will research your case to understand how an accident happened and determine which driver is most liable for the accident. These are crucial steps so that your lawyer can offer you the best possible representation. By researching your case, your lawyer will be able to work with facts to advocate for your rights directly with insurance companies and other lawyers.

Researching your case with the help of a lawyer will also assess whether it’s a good idea for you to seek personal injury damages in civil court. Your lawyer will make recommendations for the best way to seek the maximum amount of compensation you deserve based on the facts of your case.

Gather Evidence

Your lawyer will also gather evidence related to your case so that your claim can be proven, either as a settlement outside of court or as part of a court trial. Several types of evidence can be used to support your car accident claim. For example, video evidence, photographic evidence, weather and road conditions, medical bills, and much more can all be used to support your account of the accident and the consequences you suffered afterward.

Evidence may also include police reports, crash reports, and independent medical exams that support your injury claims. If your case progresses to a court trial, and may also be necessary to use forensic accident experts, who will be able to analyze accidents to determine liability.

Negotiate on Your Behalf

Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible settlement for your injuries and damages. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to add additional compensation, such as pain and suffering, to the settlement amount that is fair for your damages.

Negotiating on your behalf is one of the most important ways a lawyer can help you with your case, especially because other lawyers and insurance companies are more likely to respect your claims when you have a legal representative.

Reduce your Stress

Finally, by hiring a lawyer who specializes in car accidents and personal injuries, you can reduce your stress. This can be especially important if you are suffering from major injuries, temporary disability, or permanent disability. Because a lawyer is helping you with your case, you will be able to focus on your recovery.

Although car accidents are very common, it’s also common for insurance companies to deny claims or for the other driver’s lawyer to harass you about compensation even though you aren’t responsible for the accident. In many cases, you will fare better when you have the help of a legal expert that is committed to advocating for your rights. For more information about how a lawyer can help with your car accident case, please contact Ochs Law Firm in Laramie, Wyoming, and Cheyenne, Wyoming today.

Share Article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Search

Our experienced Wyoming personal injury lawyer, Jason E. Ochs will fight to help you recover proper compensation in a class action, pharmaceutical, and medical cases throughout multiple states. Contact us today.

Jason E. Ochs

Jason began his legal career in 2002 with a national multi-district litigation law firm in Newport Beach, California. There he worked on a variety of high-profile, complex-litigation projects including pharmaceutical and medical-device litigation across the country.

The Ochs Law Firm epitomizes professionalism and commitment to all of our clients, regardless of the size of the case or the might of the Defendant. We practice in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and California in personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, defective products, class action lawsuits, Qui Tam lawsuits, litigation across multiple districts, bad faith insurance, and civil litigation.

We look forward to providing top quality service and representation for you and your family.