Personal injury cases are usually associated with catastrophic accidents that result in life-changing injuries. What about when you just have a fender-bender and any injuries seem very minor at first? Do you need to file a case for these, and do you need an attorney to pursue your claim?
The answer, at its most basic level, is yes, you should always talk to an attorney after a car accident. There are many reasons why this is, not the least of which is that your injuries may be more serious than you realize, and without an attorney, you may be forfeiting your ability to get compensation you might need later. Learn why even if your car accident seems extremely minor, you should still secure services from an experienced California car accident attorney.
Property Damage
The first thing you must consider is that even in an accident with minor injuries, there may be thousands of dollars in property damage. Just changing a bumper or fender can be very expensive, and that doesn’t touch on damage to things like your radiator, axles and other mechanical components that might not be apparent right away.
An attorney can help ensure that you get the full cost for the damages to your property, and that your car will be able to get back on the road functioning like new once again. Without proper representation, you could find yourself in over your head.
Minor Injuries that Get Worse
Very often, what seems like a minor injury after an accident can turn into something more severe days, weeks or even months later. If you haven’t taken the right steps immediately, filing a suit later can become problematic. It’s important to ensure that if you need to collect damages for the injuries you suffer, even down the road, that you have the right representation and have properly prepared for the eventuality.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
One of the worst parts about an auto accident is dealing with the insurance companies. They will immediately pounce, attempting to get you to sign off on what may well be very lowball offers. The moment you sign a paper, you may be signing away your rights to future compensation. That’s why it’s imperative that you never sign anything—you are well within your rights to inform the insurance company that your attorney will be in touch.
Insurance companies have been known to attempt many methods to avoid paying claims. They’ll trick you, they’ll bully and strongarm you, even threatening you with court. They might even try to dig up evidence to show that the accident was your fault.
Call a California Car Accident Attorney
For all these reasons and more it’s vital to call a California car accident attorney. An experienced lawyer will be able to protect your rights, make sure that you are viewed as a victim in the case, and will fight to get you all the compensation you deserve, even if it doesn’t seem serious at first. If you find yourself dealing with insurance companies after an accident, call the Gruber Law Group for a free consultation today.