Should I Hire a Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer?

This assessment will help you decide when to hire a lawyer after a car accident or whether you can handle the claim without professional help. Unfortunately, a car, bike, motorcycle, or truck accident is at best a major nuisance, and at worst, a life-changing event.

Knowing when to seek legal assistance, medical treatment, or make an auto repair appointment isn’t always cut and dried. You’ll likely have many questions, including:

• Should I go to the doctor?
• When should I go to the doctor?
• Should I speak with the adjustor?
• Can I handle the claim by myself?
• Do I get pain and suffering?
• What about lost wages?
• What do I do with all the medical bills?

But before these questions send you into a tailspin, read our list of considerations for what to do next and whether it’s time to hire a Raleigh car accident attorney.

Taking care of a claim yourself can lead to an efficient, cost-effective resolution, especially if the accident was minor. It may surprise you that most clear-cut claims generally do not require assistance from an attorney. If you aren’t sure what constitutes a ‘clear-cut’ claim, use these three factors to assess your case:

1. Fault is clear (e.g., the other driver fails to stop at a stop sign).
2. You suffer minor personal injuries, requiring very little medical attention.
3. The legal deadline, or Statute of Limitations, is not imminent.

Some accidents or circumstances are complex enough to require legal help, especially if specific state laws are at play. Our lawyers in Raleigh will evaluate the car accident and confirm whether our help is needed; if we don’t think we can improve your case, we’ll let you know that, too. Here are some indicators of when you should hire a lawyer after a car accident in North Carolina:

• There is a disagreement as to who caused the accident, was negligent, or at fault.
• There are multiple vehicles involved.
• The adjuster is asking for more information, e.g., medical history, than you think is necessary.
• The adjuster is asking you to settle your claim before you have completed medical treatment.
• Evaluating the claim or damages is difficult.
• When your lost wages are not easy to establish, e.g., if you are self-employed.
• You have been seriously injured or suffered catastrophic personal injuries (e.g., back injury, broken bones, head injury) and/or have significant medical bills.
• Your injuries are permanent, limiting future activities.
• A family member died as a result of accident injuries.
• You or a family member needs future medical treatment.
• Due to permanent disabilities, you will not be able to work again.

When you hire an attorney after a car accident, you should feel confident that you made the right choice for your situation. Carefully evaluating the lawyer’s attention to detail or interest in your case can give you a good idea of what to expect later. Here are some additional tips to get the most out of your lawyer-client relationship:

• When calling a lawyer for advice, ask for a free consultation.
• Demand the lawyer’s full attention and make sure you are not handed off to a paralegal.
• Inquire about the lawyer’s fees to ensure hiring an attorney will not cost more than your compensation.

At Miller Law Group, we believe practicing law is a profession first and a business second. We covenant honesty, personal attention, and our best efforts. The Miller Law Group team is passionate about their representation and dedication. If you’re having trouble deciding whether you should retain a personal injury attorney, please contact us for a free review.