Perhaps another driver backs into your car in a parking lot or rear-ends you while you’re at a complete stop. The damage doesn’t seem so bad and it is a Minor Car Accident you feel fine, so you decide to handle things yourself.
However, you may soon learn just how complicated your case is and wish you’d hired an attorney to help protect your rights. Since the accident was minor, you may have left the scene without calling the police. If the other driver hires an attorney and files a lawsuit against you, you will now have a stressful situation on your hands.
This is why you should contact a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney right away, even after a minor collision.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer After a Fender Bender
If you were in a small accident, you may think it’s unnecessary to call the police or gather evidence. However, the other driver may now claim it’s your fault and you will be left without any support.
With an attorney, you will have an advocate for your rights, especially if you have hidden injuries or the other driver files a claim.
Hidden Injuries from Minor Car Crashes
Not all accidents will cause obvious injuries. Soft tissue damage, neck injuries, and spine injuries often take several days or weeks to appear. You may not seek medical attention until later on, which can result in your claim being denied because you can’t prove your injury occurred during the crash.
Concussions are another concern since many people mistakenly believe the disoriented feeling they have is just from being stressed about the minor car accident. Ultimately, when you’re in any kind of car accident, even if it’s minor, it’s always wise to see a doctor. If you don’t have any injuries, you can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if you suffered a hidden injury, you’ll have documentation to help back up your claim.
The Other Driver Files a Claim
Even if you’re not hurt and get a clean bill of health, you may discover that your vehicle has a small scratch or dent from the collision. You’ll want to call your insurance company to report the accident anyway, but the other driver may report the accident and blame you. This would result in the denial of your claim.
You’ll most certainly want an attorney to help you through this mess. Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t need to pay them unless they win.
Now that you know why you should call the police, have a medical examination, and call a lawyer after a minor car accident, you will stand a better chance of getting compensation for your damages. This is especially true if your small accident was with the driver of a commercial vehicle such as a semi-truck or a delivery van. You may be able to file a claim against their employer, and the negotiations will go much more smoothly with a lawyer.
