In the vast majority of situations, you honestly won’t need a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia. Minor fender benders and the typical non-injury collision are matters that insurance companies excel at handling. It’s whenever your accident is more severe than most or the insurance company seems unwilling to settle the claim that having legal representation becomes critical.
Major auto collisions
If you’ve been in a major auto accident, your vehicle’s damage may be extensive and your injuries may be severe. This is also the type of situation where the other driver’s insurance company will try to prove that their client wasn’t responsible for the accident. Working with an accident lawyer in Philadelphia can help you to make your case while you’re still recovering from your injuries.
It’s also important to have legal representation after the accident because you’ll often receive a settlement offer before your doctors have even determined the full extent of your injuries. When you factor current medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement costs, ongoing medical expenses and any lost wages or other income you may still lose, their first offer may be little more than a drop in the bucket of what you will need. Your accident lawyer will be your best ally in not only determining whether the offer is enough, but also when you stand to lose more than you’ll gain by not accepting the offer and going to trial.
Insurance company issues
While auto insurance companies are supposed to be there for their clients in the event of an accident, this isn’t always what happens in practice. Issues you may experience with your own insurer include suddenly finding out there was a lapse in your coverage or learning your coverage limits aren’t sufficient to cover the damage to the other person’s vehicle. If your accident was with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may have trouble getting your insurer to settle the claim so that you can repair your vehicle.
These are just issues with your own insurance company. Typically you’ll benefit most from an accident lawyer in Philadelphia when the issue is with the other driver’s insurer. It’s not unusual for their representatives to ask you the same question multiple times in an attempt to get you to admit being at fault. This is an especially pervasive practice when you’re still in the hospital immediately following the accident. Having an accident lawyer with you can ensure that nothing you say – especially when you’re under the influence of strong painkillers – is taken out of context.