Why You Need to Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Accident
Do you know exactly what happens when you make a car insurance claim after an accident? While the scenario might seem straightforward in your head— you’ve exchanged details, contacted the police if required, and you’re now contacting your insurer— it’s not always as simple as it might first appear.
In fact, there are numerous factors that complicate the situation, which is why it’s always a good idea to get legal advice if you can. Many insurance companies offer legal support either included in your policy or as an add-on you can opt into and use when required, but here’s why this actually matters whether you do it via your insurance company or independently.
You Don’t Know Who Is At Fault
Here’s the thing: not all accidents are clear-cut and obvious. Especially in accidents that involve multiple vehicles or disputed accounts of what actually happened. Insurance companies often make their own determination of fault based on limited information, and that decision, based on what they have, directly affects how much compensation gets paid out, if any. A lawyer can review the actual evidence from police reports to witness statements to dashcam footage where it exists and challenge a fault assessment that doesn’t reflect what really happened, which can make a significant difference to a claim.
The Other Driver Is Uninsured
Uninsured driver claims work differently to a standard accident claim since there’s no other insurer to deal with directly for losses. This makes the entire process even more complex. However, even if the other driver is uninsured, a specialist personal injury solicitor can help pursue a claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau, the body that compensates people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers. Trying to navigate this without legal support means you might be missing out on genuinely available compensation.
Your Injuries Are More Serious Than They Seem
Adrenaline at the scene of an accident can mask the true extent of an injury, with pain and stiffness sometimes not showing up until days later. Then there are injuries that don’t fully resolve or lead to further health complications or massive changes to your life. This is something you can’t rush if you want to be fully compensated for the ongoing disruption to your health and life. A lawyer will typically wait for a proper medical assessment before agreeing to any figure which protects against settling for less than the injury actually costs.
The Insurance Company Isn’t On Your Side
Insurance companies, including the other driver’s insurer, are working to minimise what they pay out, not to get you the best outcome. They are looking out for themselves, which is something to know before dealing with them. Early settlement offers are often not what a claim is genuinely worth, made quickly in the hope the claimant accepts before understanding the full price of their losses, including future medical costs or time off work.
Having a lawyer negotiate on your behalf can help you avoid this as much as possible. Your lawyer will be working out exactly what compensation you’re entitled to rather than the lowest figure the insurer can get away with offering.
