Kenny Habetz Injury Law | February 27, 2023 | Car Accident
During the course of their life, the average person can expect to be involved in three to four car accidents. About half of the car accidents in the United States are minor crashes, or “fender benders.” With these accidents being so common, is it really necessary to consult a lawyer after everyone?
Even in minor crashes, a good car accident lawyer can protect your rights. Read on to learn why it might be a good idea to talk to a lawyer after even minor car accidents.
What Is a “Minor” Car Accident?
Before we can discuss when you should hire a personal injury lawyer, we have to talk about what qualifies as a “minor” car accident. After all, most crashes don’t come with a rating meter that indicates if they’re “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe.”
In general, a car crash can be considered minor if it meets three criteria:
- There are no major personal injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma, internal bleeding, burns, and so on.
- The property damage caused totals less than $500 – i.e., there’s a broken headlight or a small dent in a fender.
- There are no commercial vehicles involved.
These factors usually mean that insurance companies are more likely to pay a fair settlement and that there won’t be litigation involved in assigning blame.
You Could Have Hidden Injuries
Of course, it’s not always easy to tell at the scene of the car accident what injuries you have.
For instance, symptoms of a concussion could take a while to show up. And you could have injuries like stress fractures or soft tissue injuries that don’t become apparent until you’ve gotten past the initial shock of the accident.
It’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor after any car accident, even a minor one. You may not need to go to the emergency room, but try to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician within a few days after the crash. Let them know you’ve been in a car accident and ask them to check for common injuries that may be hidden.
If you do have hidden injuries, you could be entitled to more compensation than it initially seemed. This can take a car accident from “minor” to “serious” and could make it harder for you to collect a fair settlement.
A car accident lawyer can help you prove that your injuries were the result of the crash and get you the money you deserve.
You Could Be Blamed
After a car accident, one of the first things the police and insurance companies do is determine who caused the crash.
Louisiana is a tort state, which means that the person who caused the wreck is responsible for paying damages. This can include everything from paying for car repairs to covering the cost of medical bills.
Even in a minor car accident, it’s easy for blame to get shifted. Although you may not have caused your wreck, the other driver may be able to present the scene to the police in such a way as to make it seem like your fault. You may find yourself facing blame for the crash and on the hook for the other person’s expenses.
A car accident lawyer can protect you from these claims and make sure you don’t get blamed for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Initial Consultations Are Free
The main concern many people have with hiring a lawyer is how much it will cost. After all, you don’t want to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in fees if you aren’t going to get any money in a settlement.
But what if we told you that you could get expert advice from a lawyer without paying a dime in advance?
Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you could see if you have a viable case without having to pay a fee.
And if they do think you should file a claim, good car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that they take their fee out of the money they recover for you. If they don’t recover a settlement for you, you won’t have to pay a thing.
Get the Expertise You Need
It may seem silly to hire a car accident lawyer after a minor crash, but when it comes down to it, the benefits far outweigh the risks. You could wind up with hidden injuries you didn’t know about at the time of the accident, and worse yet, the other driver could try to blame you for the wreck. Hiring a car accident lawyer can protect you from these risks, and it won’t cost you a thing unless you get a settlement in your case.
If you’ve been involved in a minor car accident, get in touch with Kenny Habetz Injury Law. Kenny has won millions of dollars for his clients, and if he doesn’t win, you won’t owe Kenny a penny. Contact us today for a free case review, no obligation required.
Contact the Louisiana Car Accident Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a car accident lawyer or contact us online.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
