Should I Call a Car Accident Lawyer at the Scene of an Accident?

In a single year, there are approximately 6.8 billion auto accidents across the US. Because of this high crash risk, it’s important that you understand what to do after a car accident. Being prepared and knowing when to contact a car accident lawyer can help you to obtain compensation after an accident.

But what does an auto accident law firm do? Why do you need to call these professionals immediately from the scene of a crash? Read on to answer these questions and learn the ins and outs of what to do after an accident.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

Insurance companies tend to try to pay you the lowest possible sum that they can regardless of the accident’s impacts on you. This is true even when you end up with serious injuries, emotional pain, and financial distress as a result of car repairs. Car accident lawyers work to get you the compensation that you deserve after you’re involved in a crash.

The first thing that a lawyer does is communicate with the other driver’s insurance agency. This will give them a starting point for negotiations. They then will gather the necessary evidence to prove fault in the accident, manage medical records and bills, and contact your healthcare provider for missing records (in the event that you were injured).

The aim of the lawyer’s efforts is to negotiate with those involved in your claim to get you the highest possible compensation. This means organizing and presenting evidence to prove damages and the other party’s liability. It also means talking with those who hold liens on your claim to lift the amount of those liens.

Finally, an auto accident attorney will negotiate with an insurance adjuster to get you a good settlement. In some cases, these negotiations will also take place with a defense attorney.

What to Do After a Car Accident Immediately

Googling “best lawyer near me” is a critical step to take while still on the scene of the accident. However, there are a few things you should do first:

1. Seek medical attention for any injuries that you sustained- your health comes first
2. Get somewhere safe so that you don’t sustain any more injuries or auto damage
3. Take photos of the accident site as well as of both vehicles and the damage they sustained
4. Get the other driver’s contact and insurance information
5. Call 911 to report the accident and file a police report

It’s at this point that you should find a top-notch car accident lawyer to help with your claim.

Why Call an Auto Accident Law Firm Right After an Accident?

The first reason to call a lawyer immediately after a crash is to get help with understanding what to do at the auto accident site. Sweet Lawyers’ professionals will walk you through what pictures to take and the information that you should digitally document on your phone. This is critical because our lawyers know what steps you can take to ensure that we can properly investigate your claim later.

Another reason to call us right away is that we can help to deal with the insurance company upfront. Many insurance adjusters ask questions of crash victims to try to get them to admit to things that let the company pay them less compensation. It’s easy to fall for these tricks if you aren’t experienced in dealing with insurance professionals.

Luckily, our attorneys have dealt with many insurance adjusters. We know how these companies work and what to say vs what not to say. Calling a lawyer on-site means that they will deal with insurance companies from the first time you talk with them.

Finally, calling a lawyer from an accident scene can make you feel less anxious in the long run. In fact, many people involved in car crashes develop trauma symptoms in the short term.

Working with a lawyer lets you exclusively deal with the physical and emotional aftermath as well as the logistical issues of a broken car. You won’t need to add settlements and litigations to the pile of things that you need to contend with. 

Should You Also Call at the Scene of Minor Crashes?

At this point, it’s clear why those involved in major accidents need to talk with lawyers immediately. But what about those involved in minor crashes? Do they still need to call auto accident attorneys at the site of the crash?

The answer to this question is a resounding “yes.”

Not filing a police report is illegal in most cases, even if you’re just dealing with a fender bender. Even disregarding the legalities of this, you need to call 911 and take pictures of the scene for your own protection. You don’t want the other party to sue you later for driving away, even if you mutually agreed to do so.

In any case where a police report is filed, there are going to be legal ramifications. Even if you don’t need to make an insurance claim, an auto accident lawyer can talk you through the various possibilities of accident aftermath. This can help you to feel confident and decrease anxiety in case of hidden injuries or future claims.

Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyer Today

While hiring a lawyer might not be the first thing that comes to mind after an auto accident, it’s critical that you reach out while still on the scene of the crash. Now that you know why this is important, it’s time to get in touch with an attorney in your area.

Our lawyers are committed to helping you get compensation after a car crash regardless of when you reach out. We’ll look into the specifics of your case, assess the scene of the accident, and negotiate with your insurance company to reach an optimal settlement. Contact us to get a free consultation and begin filing your claim today!