Have you been in a car accident and are now asking yourself if you need a lawyer? Well, that all depends on the facts of your accident, injuries, and personal life.
If you are wondering if you need to hire a lawyer for your car crash injury claim or need help navigating the legalities of the accident in Maryland, Baltimore car accident lawyer Randolph Rice is here to help. Read on for more information about how to identify whether or not you should hire an attorney.
Evaluating the Severity of Your Maryland Car Accident Injury
The need for an attorney for a vehicle collision can depend on how injured you were in the accident. Some people choose to forego legal pursuit with a personal injury lawyer if there are little to no injuries sustained.
No Personal Injuries or Damage to the Vehicle
If you were involved in a car accident and you suffered no physical injuries, you may not need to hire a lawyer. In most car accidents there are two types of damages: property damage and personal injury.
There is the damage to your vehicle and there is the physical or mental injury you may suffer to your body. If the only damage you suffer is property damage or damage to your vehicle, you can usually resolve that with either your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company.
If you suffered no physical injuries you probably are not going to need a lawyer. As a disclaimer, you should still check with an attorney to make sure you won’t need their help. Almost all lawyers will speak with you on the phone to determine if you need their services. Also, if you missed time from work because of the accident then you probably do not need a lawyer as well.
Minor Injuries or Property Damage
Let’s say you have been in an accident and you suffered minor injuries. and when we say minor injuries we mean one trip to the hospital or one trip to urgent care or an express care type of medical facility. If treatment lasts more than one visit or you have to see a doctor multiple times for injuries or pain at connection, then an attorney could be extremely helpful or even necessary.
If the extent of your medical care is one visit and no further treatment then you probably do not need to hire a lawyer.
You probably have a “no-fault” insurance policy in place that will cover your minimal medical expenses since they aren’t going to be many more in the future. No fault insurance includes coverage like personal injury protection or PIP.
Injuries Requiring Medical Care
Let’s say that you were involved in an accident but you didn’t go to the hospital that day or the following days but you are starting to feel some pain, stiffness or other signs that tell you to seek medical care.
If you go see your primary care physician or another doctor and they refer you to physical therapy or any type of pain management then you will need to hire a Dundalk car accident lawyer.
Severe Injuries Requiring Multiple Hospital Visits
If you are injured and you seek treatment at a hospital or other urgent care facility and then you continue treatment, then you definitely need to hire a Baltimore multi-vehicle collision lawyer to file a claim on your behalf.
As an example, after the accident, you are taken to the hospital. A few days after the hospital you follow up with your primary care physician or another doctor. That doctor refers you to physical therapy or some other future care, then you are going to need a lawyer on your side.
If you suffered serious injuries after auto accident then you definitely need to hire a lawyer to pursue a claim on your behalf. Randolph Rice can help you through the Maryland car accident claim filing process. Also, if you require surgery for a broken bone or other medical complications after accident then you definitely need to hire a lawyer to pursue a lawsuit or file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
How Soon Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Car Accident in Maryland?
Ideally, you want to meet or at least speak with a lawyer hours if not days after an accident. An experienced auto collision attorney is going to be able to advise you on the best course of action to follow to protect your rights and claims in the future.
This may be advise that you should not talk to the other insurance company or give a recorded statement to them. As an example, insurance companies will often ask for a recorded statement so they can lock you into version of the accident or try to preclude you from claiming injuries that present in the days or weeks after the accident.
With so much going on after an accident, most are people are worried about paying their medical bills, getting their car fixed or returning to work. While you’re worrying about all these things the other driver’s insurance company is preparing a defense and working to pay you the least amount of money for your injuries, lost time from work and pain and suffering. An experienced Harford County car accident lawyer will protect your interests and rights as you recover after the accident.
How Much Does it Cost to Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Crash?
No, it does not cost you a penny to speak with our lawyers after your auto crash. Our personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation so you can explore your options after the accident without the weight of finances on your shoulders. We will advise you if you need a lawyer and if so, we can start your injury claim that day.
Can I Afford a Car Accident Lawyer?
Yes, you can afford a lawyer after a crash because our lawyers represent the victims of auto accidents on a contingency basis. That means our lawyers will take your case at no cost out of pocket to you.
We file all the necessary paperwork and take your case to trial contingent on the success of the claim.
There’s a saying that most car crash lawyers use which is, “there’s no fee unless we win.” That means you do not pay a fee to your lawyer unless he or she is successful in your case. If for some reason the law firm is unsuccessful, you will not owe the lawyer a legal fee for the representation.
Baltimore, MD Car Accident Lawyers Offering Free Consultations
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you have questions about your rights, how to file a car accident lawsuit in Maryland, or if you should hire a lawyer, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291. Baltimore personal injury lawyer Randolph Rice provides a free initial consultation to discuss the best legal options for your claim.