When to Hire an Attorney for a Car Accident
If you get into a car accident in Arizona, you may not know how to protect your rights or pursue financial compensation through an insurance claim. Unfortunately, the insurance company will not want what is best for you.
You will have to stand up for yourself during the claims process for fair results or hire a Phoenix car accident attorney to represent you. Knowing when to hire an attorney for a car accident claim can help you avoid settling for less than you deserve.
Do You Have Serious Injuries?
If the car accident gave you or a loved one a serious injury, it can be important to hire a lawyer for representation. Many car accident victims accept minimal settlements and believe it is the best the insurance company can offer.
Serious injuries include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disabilities
With a severe injury, you are at risk of the insurance company offering less than the fair value of your claim. It is your responsibility to recognize an unreasonably low settlement offer and negotiate for a better amount. The best way to do this is with help from an attorney.
Were There More Than Two Parties Involved?
Your car accident claim can be complicated to litigate if it involves more than two parties. If your crash did not only involve you and another driver, consult a lawyer. If the collision involved three or more drivers, for example, or two drivers and a road defect or another contributing factor, it may be necessary to hire a lawyer to determine liability. You may have grounds to bring a claim against multiple parties. It may also be more difficult to obtain fair compensation since the insurance will be split in multiple ways.
Is the Other Driver Fighting Liability?
A common obstacle encountered during a car accident claim in Arizona is the other driver or the driver’s insurance company refusing liability. If the other driver’s insurance provider tries to say its policyholder was not at fault for your crash, or that the driver does not have enough insurance to cover your losses, contact an attorney for advice.
The insurance company may be guilty of bad faith, or not handling your claim honestly and fairly. You may need a lawyer to help you prove the other driver’s liability.
Were You Partly to Blame?
The partial fault for a car accident in Arizona will not bar you from financial recovery, even if an insurance company makes you believe this is the case. The comparative negligence law in Arizona makes car accident victims eligible for compensation even if they contributed to the crash.
Your amount of fault, however, will reduce your recovery award. This is why it is important not to admit any fault for the accident. A lawyer can help you talk to insurance claims adjusters and combat a comparative negligence defense.
Did the Insurance Company Deny Your Claim?
Finally, if the car insurance company denied your claim, request a consultation with a car accident lawyer before giving up on recovering compensation. A baseless denial is a form of insurance bad faith that a company could use to try to avoid paying you. The insurance company must give you a reason for denying your car accident claim.
If the reason does not apply to your case or is something you can remedy, such as a lack of evidence, your lawyer can help you request a second review. If the company is guilty of insurance bad faith in wrongfully denying your claim, your lawyer can help you bring an additional lawsuit against the insurance provider.
When in doubt about whether or not you need to hire an attorney for a car accident, request a free consultation with a local car accident lawyer. The lawyer will be able to tell you if he or she can help.