Questions About Car Accident Lawsuits

What should I do after a car accident?

In brief, you should:

  • Assess injuries

  • Move to safety

  • Contact authorities

  • Exchange information

  • Document the accident scene

  • Do not talk to insurance company representatives

  • Get medical attention

  • Contact a car accident attorney

For more detailed information, please see What to do after a car accident.

I don’t think I was hurt. Should I see a doctor anyway?

Yes. There are tremendous forces involved in a car accident that may result in serious injuries, although the symptoms are often subtle. In addition to seeing a doctor shortly after the accident you should watch out for symptoms of injury.

What injury symptoms should I look out for?

There are many common car accident injuries that may not show symptoms right away. Look out for brain injury symptoms such as:

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Inability to sleep/nightmares

  • Personality changes, moodiness or depression

  • Fatigue

  • Memory loss

Also look for spine injury symptoms such as:

  • Back pain

  • Pain elsewhere in the body

  • Numbness

  • Tingling

  • Weakness

This may involve one limb, a pair of limbs, certain regions of the body, or certain organs. It may worsen with time.

My insurance company says they’re on my side. Are they?

In some ways, your insurance company may be your ally. They have certain obligations by law that mean you have common interests. In other ways, your insurance company may be your adversary. An insurance company increases profit by paying less in claims, including your car accident claim. They may see your accident (and you) as a liability, and may make decisions that save them money, but may cost you.

Do I need an attorney for my car accident claim?

An attorney is recommended any time you suffered an injury in a car accident that resulted in any amount of medical bills or lost wages. Since consulting an attorney about your car accident is generally free, it’s better to talk to one and be told you don’t need one than to not talk to one and suffer because you didn’t have representation.

My insurance company has made me an offer. It seems like a lot. Should I take it?

When your insurance company makes you an offer, it is based on an expectation of what they might have to pay for your accident. It is almost always at the lower end of what your accident is likely to cost in the long run, even if it seems like a lot based on what you have paid so far.

When should I contact an attorney about my car accident claim?

You should contact an attorney about your car accident claim when:

  • You have been diagnosed with injuries and presented with a treatment plan

  • You have received a settlement offer from your insurance company

  • You are being pressured to give multiple statements about the accident, or you feel your claim is being handled too slowly

  • You feel overwhelmed by the issues related to your car accident

Attorneys can be a great help after your accident. Even if you do not need their services in the end, they can refer you to great resources that can help you.

How do I choose a car accident lawyer?

In brief:

  • Collect referrals

  • Research candidates

  • Interview candidates

  • Make a choice—or don’t

For more detailed information, please see Choosing your car accident lawyer.

What sets AccidentAttorneys.org attorneys apart?

The attorneys at AccidentAttorneys.org have been distinguished from their peers by independent ratings agencies that use a peer-review evaluation system. All accidentattorneys.org attorneys are recognized by their peers for their legal expertise.

To talk to a local car accident attorney, please contact AccidentAttorneys.org today.