blog home Car Accidents Should I call a lawyer after my wreck? Our six questions help you find out

Should I call a lawyer after my wreck? Our six questions help you find out

By Ken Gibson on May 24, 2017

After an auto accident, it can be difficult to figure out if you should call a lawyer. Are there grounds for a lawsuit, or should you just let the insurance companies handle it? Even if you work with the insurance companies like they say, how do you know if you’re getting all the money you need to recover from the accident?

After a wreck, having a friendly, experienced Virginia injury lawyer answer your questions and advise you can be a big help. And, it’s free to talk.

Answering these six simple questions can help you decide if you should call a lawyer:

  1. Do you have expected medical bills and lost wages of $2,000 or more? While insurance companies may help with some expenses, they are businesses seeking to spend as little as possible. If you have large bills that are affecting your current lifestyle and your future success, you may need more help. A knowledgeable accident injury attorney can deal with the insurance companies for you, and advise you on other options you may want to pursue.
  2. Is there visible damage to your vehicle? Minor “fender-benders” can result in little actual damage to your car. In these instances, you may not have to deal with many insurance hassles. But when there’s major damage to your car, you may have grounds for a larger insurance claim. A knowledgeable accident lawyer can help you find out.
  3. Was the accident someone else’s fault? When someone else was at fault for what happened, it’s important to make sure that person (or their insurance company) pays for the damages appropriately. Keep in mind that you may not be able to answer this question by yourself. Depending on the accident, there may be factors you do not know about, such as the behavior of the other driver before the collision. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you determine who was at fault.
  4. Did you get immediate medical treatment? Get medical treatment promptly to take care of yourself, and also for legal reasons. If you delay treatment for even a week, then insurance companies or other lawyers could argue later that injuries occurred later, rather than as a result of a collision.
  5. After treatment, have you followed your doctor’s instructions? Not following your doctor’s treatment plan can have negative consequences on your physical recovery, and affect any insurance claims or lawsuits you may file. Additional medical costs that happen because you further injured yourself are not likely to be covered. If you fail to listen to your doctor, it can be used against you.
  6. Did the accident happen within the last 24 months? There’s a timeline when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. It’s important to act immediately after any accident, not only to preserve evidence, but also to meet the deadlines. Calling a lawyer right away can help ensure your rights are protected and prevent you from unknowingly signing away options for additional damages.

If you have answered yes to three or more of these questions, give us a call at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys today at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free (855) 781-6777.

We care about our neighbors, and we would love to hear your story and try to help you. We don’t charge any fee to meet with us, so sit down with us and find out what we can do for you.

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Community service

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches a “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
  • Hands-on Service
    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
  • Supporting Local Schools
    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.