Not every claim requires a lawyer. The American Bar Association notes that not every legal matter needs a lawyer, but recommends talking to a lawyer after a serious accident causing injury or property damage, or if you are served with papers in a lawsuit.
Talking to a lawyer is not the same as hiring one, and hiring one is not a guarantee of a better result.
When talking to a lawyer may be worth considering
- Serious injuries
- Significant damage or losses
- Fault (liability) is disputed
- You have been sued, or someone is threatening to sue
- The coverage situation is complicated, such as more than one policy that may apply
- More than one person was injured
- You could owe money personally, for example if the damages may be more than the insurance limits
- You have a settlement offer you don’t understand or aren’t sure about
These are reasons to get advice. They are not signs that you must hire someone.
What if the insurance company says I’m at fault?
Being told you are at fault does not automatically mean there is no reason to speak with a lawyer.
An insurance company’s fault decision is how it is handling the claim. It is not a court judgment. If a case goes to court, the court decides.
Advice may make sense if you were seriously hurt, the facts are disputed, you are being sued, the damages are large, several people are involved, coverage is in dispute, or the claim could go beyond your insurance limits.
On the other hand, if the accident was minor, your insurer has accepted coverage and is handling your defense where required, and no one was seriously hurt, a personal lawyer may not be necessary.
If you are sued over an accident, your liability insurer may provide a lawyer to defend you. In Florida, for example, the state says the insurer will provide legal representation until it has paid the policy limit.
What happens after you hire a lawyer? →How much does a car accident lawyer cost? →