A car accident can be traumatic, affecting every area of your life. You can suddenly have costly medical bills, traumatic injuries, and a long recovery process. However, you may also be in a minor accident, such as a simple bumper kiss that doesn’t damage the car or hurt the people inside. The big question you may be asking yourself when you’re in any collision on the road is: “Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?”
While some accidents are minor enough to be settled with insurance companies or even just between the drivers, there are scenarios where hiring an attorney is advisable to protect your rights and help you secure fair compensation. Understanding when to involve an auto accident attorney can make all the difference on your road to becoming whole again.
Do You Always Need a Portland Car Accident Lawyer?
Having a car accident lawyer looking out for your best interests is always wise. They can review the circumstances of your accident and advise you about whether handling your case yourself would produce a good result.
Relatively minor accidents may not require legal counsel. For instance, if you are in an accident where the damage done to your car is superficial or non-existent, and you have no injuries, you may choose not to seek legal representation. However, a key fact to remember is how quickly a silent injury can rake in the bills and cause pain. If you experienced whiplash or show signs of internal bleeding, it’s a good idea to consult an attorney to make sure they address all potential issues.
In the same vein as a silent injury, any serious accident that causes apparent, visible damage to either you or your car is an example of when to hire a car accident lawyer. By doing so, your rights are protected from the start.
Self-representation might be possible in certain situations, such as the following:
- Accidents with no injuries or medical expenses
- There is little or no vehicle damage
- The other driver accepts the fault
- The insurance company cooperates
Self-representation can be possible, but it can also bring challenges. You should seek a lawyer the moment you feel any hesitance, especially if you’re doubting the other driver or the insurance company. A driver may initially accept fault but later come up with a reconstruction of the accident that puts the blame on you. Similarly, an insurance company might try to say you’re responsible for the crash or give you a lowball offer.
Signs You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Portland, OR
Knowing whether or not you need to hire a car accident lawyer based on your situation can be hard to determine. In general, however, you should seek a lawyer for your car accident claim process in Portland immediately if the accident resulted in any of the following:
- High medical bills
- Severe injuries
- Long-term medical care
- Permanent disabilities
- Fatal car accidents and wrongful deaths
It’s essential to take care of your health first and foremost. Because medical care is expensive, you’ll need compensation to help you recover from the injuries someone else caused.
You should also seek a lawyer if there is a liability dispute for any reason. An attorney can help prove who is at fault, which is a task you shouldn’t have to worry about. It’s also important to note that Oregon has a comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, even if you share partial fault for your car accident in Portland, you may still be entitled to compensation so long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault.
You may have opted to go through the other driver’s insurance company, which doesn’t always require the assistance of a lawyer. However, insurance companies use tactics to deny or undervalue your claim — especially if a commercial vehicle is involved — leaving you with little to no compensation. A lawyer can pressure the insurance company to act in good faith. In doing so, your attorney can make sure your compensation truly reflects the value of what you need to heal and move on with your life.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident or one in which the at-fault driver did not carry insurance, you should consider seeking an attorney to learn all your legal options for recovering compensation.
How a Portland Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you need to seek a Portland auto accident attorney for your car crash claim, they can help you with several things, such as the following:
- Investigating and Gathering Evidence – Attorneys will thoroughly examine the details of the accident and collect evidence (such as police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage) to build a strong case.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: – A car accident lawyer will handle communications with the insurance carriers and fight the tactics insurance adjusters use to reduce your payout.
- File a Lawsuit if Necessary – If the negotiations with the insurance companies don’t go as planned and the carrier refuses to give you fair compensation, attorneys are prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
A Portland car accident attorney’s goal is to maximize your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Portland
After you’ve been in a car accident, the most crucial decision you’ll face is choosing the right attorney in Portland. At Rizk Law, we are ready to represent you and fight for what you deserve because we have:
- Experience with Car Accident Claims – We are well-versed in Oregon traffic laws and can manage the legal field for you. Use our experience to your advantage.
- Proven Results – We have a track record of securing substantial client settlements and verdicts. See our recent cases to learn how we’ve helped them.
- Free Consultations and No Upfront Fees – At Rizk Law, we operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t pay anything if we don’t win your case.
- Excellent Client Recommendations – Visit our testimonials to see what our clients say about their experience with us.
At Rizk Law, we understand the turmoil you’re facing after being involved in a car accident. We know you have a long road of healing ahead of you, and handling legal matters is likely not at the top of your priority list. But you shouldn’t give up your rights just because you’re focused on getting better. Let us take care of the legal battle for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
