If you’ve gotten into a minor fender bender or another seemingly insignificant collision, you might wonder if you need a lawyer for a minor car accident. The Thumbs Up Guys from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys advise you to consult with an attorney after an accident, even if your injuries and vehicle damage seem mild.
The truth is that many minor car crash injuries can cause problems in the future, making them much more serious than you initially thought. There are also a number of damages that a car accident lawyer can help you pursue after even the mildest incidents. To find out how much you could receive from a claim, you’ll want to hire an attorney ASAP.
Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After a Minor Collision
There are a number of reasons why you should hire a Charleston car accident lawyer after a minor auto crash. Here’s what an attorney can do to help you cover your losses and forget that your accident ever happened:
Pursue Forms of Compensation You Didn’t Know Were Available
Most minor and severe car accident victims are unaware of all the damages that they’re entitled to pursue. When you meet with a car accident lawyer, they’ll ask you about your accident and the effects it has had on your health, finances, and other aspects of your life.
Once they have a comprehensive understanding of how the collision has changed your life, regardless of how minor those changes are, they’ll calculate how much you should receive from a claim. Then, they’ll seek compensation via insurance negotiations or possibly a court case. If your case is successful, you could receive several or more of the following damages:
- Current, ongoing, and future medical bills
- Emergency medical expenses
- Cost of prescriptions, medical devices, and physical therapy
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Help You Cover Treatment Expenses for Unexpected Injuries
You might not notice the full extent of your injuries in the hours and days following the collision. Some conditions can develop over the course of several weeks, and others may go unnoticed, as the shock from the crash may dull or mask the pain you should be experiencing.
To ensure all of your injuries are accounted for and treated, you’ll want to seek medical attention as soon after your crash as possible. Once a doctor has given you the correct diagnosis and advised you on your course of treatment, you should contact a car accident attorney.
An experienced attorney can pursue compensation to cover the treatment you need to recover from or manage any type of auto accident injury. They’ll work hard to recover payments to cover your short and long-term medical needs for any of the following conditions:
- Fractures
- Concussion
- Back strain
- Spinal cord injury
- Head injury
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Chest injuries
- Broken ribs
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Facial fractures
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Herniated disc
- Neck strain
- Sprains
- Whiplash
No matter how severe or minor your car accident injuries are, a lawyer can pursue full compensation for your treatment expenses. To ensure they have the information they need to do so, make sure you save your medical bills and records.
Ensure You Aren’t Taken Advantage of by Insurers
Unfortunately, insurance companies are often too concerned with protecting their bottom lines and much less eager to honor honest claims than they should be. As a result, you’ll probably receive a lowball settlement offer from the insurer soon after your crash.
This is a dishonest tactic that many auto insurance companies use to trick confused accident victims into agreeing to a payment that doesn’t come close to covering all their losses. Instead of accepting an early offer, contact a car accident lawyer. They’ll be able to negotiate with the insurer and come to an agreement that works for you.
Answer Any Questions You Have About the Claims Process
The process required to obtain compensation after even a minor car accident can be incredibly confusing and complicated. Fortunately, your attorney can explain everything you need to know and answer any questions you have along the way.
How Long You Have to File a Car Accident Suit in South Carolina
In addition to providing excellent legal advice, negotiating with insurers, and securing the compensation you need to cover your losses and treat your injuries, a car accident lawyer can also make sure your civil suit is filed within South Carolina’s statute of limitations.
According to South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530, you have three years from the date of your car accident to sue the driver that caused it. If you fail to act within this strict time frame, you could be barred from getting the damages you need to repair your vehicle and cover your other losses.
To ensure your attorney has enough time to take legal action, you’ll want to reach out to a lawyer ASAP. Once you’ve hired an attorney, they’ll be able to get your car accident suit filed before it’s too late, regardless of how minor or severe your collision was.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Attorney Today
Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys has helped car accident victims get the financial support they need to improve their lives since 2018. We’ve recovered a number of successful case results, received a host of positive client testimonials, and are prepared to put the same amount of time and commitment into your case as we’ve done for all of our past clients.
Don’t wait another minute to get started on your case and take the first step toward your compensation. Now that you know that you need a lawyer for a minor car accident, you’ll want to contact our team and schedule a free consultation with a skilled Charleston personal injury lawyer.