When to Consult an Attorney After a Car Accident

Mar 21, 2023

The sooner, the better! Once you hire a lawyer, they can assist you in getting the necessary help covering medical bills, lost wages, and more. They can also help you receive damages for pain and suffering that resulted from the incident. Seeking advice right away will help you manage the stress of the incident.

Benefits of Getting an Attorney Involved Immediately

After a car accident, injuries can be difficult to identify due to everyone’s unique response to trauma. You may not experience symptoms for two or three days after the incident, but you should always take any symptoms seriously – what may seem like a minor inconvenience today may become an ongoing chronic issue five years from now if you don’t seek medical assistance.

If you don’t speak to an attorney immediately after the crash, the other driver’s insurance company may attempt to discount or deny your claim. They could try to assign blame for the crash onto you by alleging that you were under the influence or that your injuries were caused by something that happened prior to impact.

One common tactic is to search for some type of medical record or other evidence that suggests your injuries weren’t recent. Sometimes, the insurance company will even hire a radiologist to read an MRI and assert that you are old and have had the back injury for years, making it less likely that you should receive compensation for them.

Your attorney can use this information to prove that the accident caused your injuries and that you deserve financial compensation for them. They also assist in documenting losses and calculating future damages such as lost wages.

Punitive Damages

In certain instances, courts can order defendants to pay punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages for injuries or property damage. These types of awards are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from causing accidents.

Punitive damages are determined by the degree of negligence that caused an accident and may also take into account a defendant’s financial situation when setting an award.

In addition to compensatory damages, your attorney can also help you receive wrongful death compensation in the event that a loved one dies in an auto accident. This compensation covers funeral and burial costs as well as any other expenses connected with their passing.

About Coffman Law Offices, P.C.

Coffman Law is committed to providing superb legal representation for people who are suffering from severe personal injuries or are dealing with the loss of a loved one due to negligence or misconduct. Coffman Law is a results-driven firm focused on ensuring that clients receive the compassion, attention, and consideration that they need to seek adequate redress for injuries or loss. The firm is led by Owner and Founding Partner Brian Coffman, who has dedicated his career to helping accident victims navigate the legal system and obtain redress for their injuries. If you have been injured or lost a loved one, contact Coffman Law today for a free consultation.