Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

While you don’t have to hire a Louisiana car wreck lawyer after a minor accident, it never hurts to call a lawyer to ensure you’re covered in case more damages come to light. 

Even relatively minor accidents can lead to expensive repairs, injuries requiring ongoing treatment, and other costly interventions. Depending on the specifics of your traffic accident, the damage your vehicle suffered, and your injuries, it’s in your best interest to call an experienced car accident lawyer at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation.

What is a Minor Car Accident?

Before we delve into the reasons why hiring a car accident lawyer is important, let’s first define what we mean by a minor car accident. 

A minor car accident usually involves a low-speed collision that results in minor damage to the vehicles involved. Typically, these accidents are fender-benders or accidents where the vehicles involved were traveling at low speeds.

Your Damages Could Be Higher Than They Seem

After a minor car crash, you may be wondering, “Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?”

If you’ve been hit in a minor car accident, you may think that you’ll just file a claim with your insurance provider and the other drivers, they’ll cut you a check, and you’ll move on with your life. However, it’s possible that your car could have suffered more damage than you initially thought, or your injuries could be more serious than they seemed at first.

When that happens, you could be in for a major legal battle that you don’t feel prepared for. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after your wreck so that we can help you navigate any fight that may arise.

Damages that you could suffer even after a minor car accident include

• Medical bills and costs of surgery
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Even Minor Car Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 2.1 million emergency department visits for injuries from motor vehicle crashes in 2020.

After a minor car accident, you might not notice the full extent of your injuries due to the adrenaline in your system. It’s important to see the doctor right away to catch injuries that might not present symptoms for days or even weeks later.

Common injuries after minor car accidents include

• Neck swelling and stiffness
• Neck pain
• Muscle spasms
• Post-traumatic headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness or tingling in arms
• Head injuries

Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Accident at Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys:

1. Protect Your Legal Rights

Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to protect your legal rights. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you take on and understand the complex legal system, as well as ensure that your rights are protected!

2. Determine Fault

In some cases, it may not be immediately clear who is at fault for the accident. A car accident lawyer at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys can help you:

• Gather evidence
• Interview witnesses
• & determine who is responsible for the accident.

3. Obtain Compensation

As mentioned earlier on, even minor accidents can result in significant expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. A car accident lawyer at our firm can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other expenses.

4. Help with Insurance Claims

Dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. One of our car accident lawyers can handle the negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that you get a fair settlement.

5. Prevent Future Legal Issues

If you don’t hire a car accident lawyer, you may inadvertently waive your right to future legal action. By hiring a lawyer, you can prevent future legal issues and ensure that your legal rights are protected!

Minor Car Accident Lawyer Near Me

As you can see, hiring a car accident lawyer is important even for minor accidents. A car accident lawyer can protect your legal rights, determine fault, obtain compensation, handle insurance companies, and prevent future legal issues. If you’ve been in any car accident—even a seemingly minor one—you owe it to yourself to call an experienced car accident attorney at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys. We offer free consultations for our clients and will listen to your story. Call us at 888.501.7888 today.