An accident can happen in a split second—and even minor accidents can have serious consequences. Unfortunately, though, following an accident, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a lawyer is necessary. In this article, we discuss how to decide if you need a personal injury attorney after an accident.
Better Safe Than Sorry
In any accident involving an injury, it’s usually a good idea to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Most attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations to prospective clients. Therefore, if you’ve been injured, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking the time to discuss your case with a lawyer. This is generally the best way to determine whether legal assistance is necessary following an accident.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Determining Whether to Hire an Attorney
If you are reluctant to go straight to an attorney following an accident, you should ask yourself the following questions to determine whether you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney:
How serious are my injuries?
If you only sustained minor scrapes or bruises in an accident, you may not need to hire an attorney. However, if you have suffered more serious injuries, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. Generally speaking, the more serious your injuries, the more likely you should hire an attorney.
Who was at fault for the accident?
Following a New York car accident, your no-fault insurance coverage is the first resource to pay any medical costs and other damages you suffered as a result of the accident. However, that does not mean that no one is to blame for the accident. If another party is at fault for your accident, then he or she may be held liable for your injuries. However, negligence and fault are difficult to prove. Therefore, if you need to prove that another party caused your accident, you should contact an attorney for assistance.
Is the insurance company being difficult?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, and the insurance company is downplaying your injuries, failing to respond to your claim in a timely manner, delaying payment of your claim, or has denied your claim, you need an attorney to fight for your right for compensation. Experienced personal injury attorneys understand the tactics used by insurance companies to avoid paying out claims, and they use this knowledge to vigorously seek financial compensation on behalf of injured clients.
Contact a New York Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident in New York, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr., we represent clients in Brooklyn and Staten Island. When you come to us for help with your personal injury case, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that you obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.