Although it may not be pleasant to think about your options after getting into a car accident, it’s important to be prepared. You don’t want to end up making the wrong decisions in a moment of panic. One of the first things you’ll need to consider if you get into an auto-accident is if you need a car accident attorney.

Although an attorney is a great option for many people after an accident, there are circumstances in which you won’t need one.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

1. Your Losses Aren’t Significant

As you may know, not every car accident is the same, which means that the severity of damage can vary. Some accidents require immediate medical assistance as well as an attorney to handle complicated legal issues involved. Others are small fender benders, and both owners decide there’s no harm done.

If you have recently been in an auto accident and there were no significant losses, this means minimal damages or injuries; you may decide that calling an attorney is not necessary. Generally, these accidents are small enough where neither parties feel the need to file a claim.

When the damage is significant, then you’ll want to talk to an attorney, but if you find yourself thinking ‘no big deal,’ then it might be a waste of time for both you and the lawyer to pursue the driver at fault.

2. You Know How to Handle Insurance 

One of the biggest headaches of dealing with an auto accident is insurance. The best car accident attorney is going to be a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes to dealing with all that complicated paperwork.

However, you might be the type of person who knows insurance really well. This means you know what is covered, how the claims process works, and what the terms in your contract mean. Additionally, you’re aware of how different insurance policies coordinate coverage, specifically in your state.

These different complexities are best left for an experienced car accident attorney. But if you are savvy about how to use insurance, you might be able to handle your own claim. Be aware that this is a risky move, especially if your injuries are significant.

With that said, you can save a lot of time and money if you’re confident in your insurance knowledge.

3. There Are Minimal or No Injuries

Many accidents do not result in injuries, sometimes they leave you a little startled, but that’s about it. You might have been in an accident that happened at a low speed, resulting in minimal or no injuries. There may be some damage to your belongings, but you are not physically hurt.

In this case, you probably don’t need a lawyer. If you don’t require medical attention and need to get your car fixed, it’s easier to work directly with insurance companies.

There’s a chance your injuries are minor, and you might still have a personal injury claim; this is simple enough to handle on your own as well. It is better to hire a car accident attorney when their expertise and experience are necessary for more complicated incidents.

When there are minor injuries or no injuries at all, you don’t need a lawyer.

4. The Accident Is Your Fault

Accidents happen and sometimes, you’re the person at fault. If this is the case, you may not need to hire a personal injury attorney.

Your insurance company should be able to provide you with a car accident defense attorney. Many of these lawyers have a close relationship with insurance companies, and this defense might be provided to you without charge since your automobile insurance covers it.

Things get a little more complicated if you caused the accident and also suffered injuries. This means you can’t make a claim against anyone else. The laws are different depending on the state, so this can vary, but that is generally the case.

If you do have significant injuries, it’s best to talk to a car accident lawyer. They’ll be able to help you sort through the complex legal process so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.

5. You Have Time to Pursue Claim

One thing you might not know about pursuing a claim is that it is a time-consuming process. You have the option to pursue your own claim without a lawyer, but that’s only a good option if you have the time. Lawyers have the experience to help do an efficient and professional job, but that doesn’t mean that handling a claim is beyond your abilities.

If you have the time to do all of the research and learn how to represent yourself in a claim against the at-fault party, you can certainly take steps to do so. Get ready to make many phone calls, retrieve the right documents and stand your ground so you don’t get taken advantage of.

With enough time on your hands and the right attitude, you won’t need an attorney. Just be sure you understand what you are signing up for because it will consume a lot of your time.

When You Don’t Need a Car Accident Attorney

Navigating what to do after an auto accident can be frustrating, time-consuming, and costly. It doesn’t help that there are so many different types of car accidents, with mixed advice floating around on what to do if you’re involved in one. It may be tempting to call a car accident attorney right away, but there are circumstances in which you may not need one.

You don’t need to get an attorney for a car accident if no one got hurt, if the accident is your fault or if you’re able to handle the claim on your own.

Handling a claim on your own is still complicated, so if you’re looking for experienced car accident attorneys to make your life easier, you’ll want to contact us.