Should I Get A Lawyer for a Car Accident?

After a car crash, life can feel overwhelming. Between medical appointments, vehicle repairs, and dealing with insurance adjusters, you might ask: “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?” It’s a common and important question. The answer depends on the details of your situation, but in many cases, an experienced car accident lawyer will make a major difference in the outcome of your case.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do For You?

If you’re considering whether or not you need a lawyer, it’s important to first understand what a lawyer actually does. At Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, our car accident lawyers serve as our clients’ personal advocates, and our goal is to help them gain the financial resources and support needed to move forward after an injury.

We do this by helping clients:

• Investigate the Accident: Gather police reports, witness statements, medical records, and surveillance footage to establish fault and support clients’ car accident claims.
• Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Insurers often aim to minimize payouts. Our lawyers fight for fair car accident settlements that reflect our clients’ actual damages, including future medical needs and lost income.
• Calculate the Actual Value of Their Claim: This includes economic and non-economic damages.
• Fight For Compensation In Court: If reaching a satisfactory settlement isn’t possible through negotiations, we are prepared to take our clients’ car accident cases to trial.

While hiring a lawyer is optional, having an experienced attorney on your side can give you the best chance of securing not only a favorable outcome but also a higher settlement that truly reflects the impact of your injuries.

When Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Not every fender bender requires legal representation, but many accidents involve complexities that can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Here are several situations where hiring a car accident lawyer is not just advisable—it’s essential:

1. You Have Injuries and Growing Medical Bills

If you’ve sustained any injuries in a car crash, especially those requiring medical treatment beyond a quick ER visit, it’s time to talk to an attorney. Common car accident injuries—like whiplash, concussions, back injuries, or soft tissue damage—can worsen over time or lead to chronic pain.

Beyond the physical toll, medical care is expensive. If you’re dealing with:

• Emergency room visits
• Follow-up appointments with specialists
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Surgeries or medical procedures
• Mental health counseling after the trauma

…then your expenses may already be mounting. Add time missed from work or a reduced ability to earn a living, and your losses could spiral quickly. Our car accident lawyers can help calculate damages, including future damages, like loss of earning capacity and medical costs, and build a strong compensation claim.

2. The Insurance Company Is Pressuring You

After a car collision, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may extend a settlement offer quickly. This can feel convenient, especially when trying to move on, but it’s rarely in your best interest.

Warning signs include:

• Pressure to settle quickly
• Offers that only cover immediate medical expenses, not future care
• Requests to sign a release of liability
• Recorded statements that could be used against you

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts and close claims fast. Their first offer is typically far below what your claim is worth. Our attorneys can step in to handle communication with the insurer, push back against unfair tactics, and negotiate for a car accident settlement that is fair and just.

3. Fault Is Disputed or Unclear

Determining liability is one of the most important—and often most complicated—aspects of a car accident claim. If the other driver claims you were at fault, it can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.

A disputed fault can arise in many situations, such as:

• Conflicting accounts of how the accident happened
• Lack of clear evidence or witnesses
• Accidents involving left turns, merging, or multiple vehicles
• Rear-end collisions where liability is not automatically assumed

When the fault is unclear or contested, our attorneys can launch a thorough investigation, working with accident reconstruction experts and gathering critical evidence like surveillance footage, vehicle damage assessments, and phone records. In Virginia, where the law follows a strict contributory negligence rule, proving fault is crucial.

4. The Accident Involved a Commercial Vehicle, Rideshare, or Multiple Parties

Crashes involving commercial drivers, delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles (like Uber or Lyft), or multiple drivers introduce a whole new level of complexity. These cases often involve:

• Numerous insurance policies with overlapping or conflicting coverage
• Corporate defendants who are well-versed in minimizing liability
• Federal and state regulations that govern commercial vehicles
• Questions about employment status (independent contractor vs. employee)

For example, if you were hit by a delivery truck, the driver may be personally insured, but their employer might also bear liability. Similarly, Uber’s commercial insurance might apply if an Uber driver were on the clock. In these cases, our attorneys can determine who’s responsible, what coverage applies, and how to hold the right parties accountable.

5. You’re Facing Long-Term or Permanent Injuries

If your car accident resulted in a catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, or disfigurement, you’re likely looking at lifelong medical care and accommodations. These cases require careful planning and expert input to assess your future needs accurately.

Our experienced attorneys can work with life care planners, vocational experts, and economists to project the long-term impact of your injuries and ensure your car accident claim reflects the actual cost of your recovery, not just today, but for the rest of your life.

6. A Loved One Was Killed in the Accident

Losing a family member in a fatal car accident is a devastating experience. In addition to emotional grief, families often face unexpected financial burdens, from funeral expenses to household income and support loss.

In these cases, a wrongful death claim may be appropriate. At Huffman & Huffman, we approach these cases with the utmost care and compassion, and we can help you pursue justice and compensation from the at-fault party.

When You Might Not Need a Lawyer For a Car Accident

There are a few situations where handling your claim alone might be appropriate. You may not need a lawyer if:

• You weren’t injured: If it’s a minor fender bender with no injuries, you may be able to work directly with the insurer for property damage.
• The insurance company offers the full policy limits. If the insurer offers the maximum available coverage and the amount includes all medical bills—not just what you paid out of pocket—you may not need a lawyer.
• You’re comfortable with the claims process: If you have time and are confident managing paperwork and negotiation, you could represent yourself in a simple case.

Valuing a claim accurately can be difficult, so even if you think you’ve received a good offer, speaking with an attorney for a free consultation is a good idea.

Common Misconceptions About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

There are a number of common myths that prevent people from getting the legal help they need. These include:

• Insurance will take care of everything: In a perfect world, yes. However, insurers are businesses focused on minimizing payouts and maximizing their profits. They may undervalue your claim or try to deny it altogether. Having a lawyer means you’re not at their mercy.
• Hiring a lawyer is too expensive: At Huffman & Huffman, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything until we win your case. Our fee comes from a portion of the settlement, not your pocket. And in many cases, people with legal representation receive significantly more compensation, even after fees.
• All lawyers are the same: An attorney’s knowledge of local laws and courts as well as their experience with car accident cases can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. At Huffman & Huffman, we are a family-run firm with over 50 years of experience handling car accident and other personal injury cases with proven results.
• My injuries aren’t that serious: Even “minor” injuries like whiplash or concussions can have lasting effects. Don’t downplay your pain. If you’re hurt in a car wreck, it’s worth exploring your legal options before making any decisions.

What to Expect When Working With a Car Accident Lawyer

The process may feel intimidating if you’ve never worked with a lawyer. But it doesn’t have to be, and there are many reasons you should hire a personal injury attorney to help you. Here’s a quick overview of the basic process of working with a car accident lawyer.

1. Free Consultation: It all starts with a conversation. At Huffman & Huffman, all consultations are with an experienced attorney. We’ll review the details of your car crash, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We’ll collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and more to build a strong case.
3. Claim Filing and Negotiation: We’ll handle all communication with the insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible settlement.
4. Courtroom Representation, If Necessary: Most cases settle without the need for a trial, but we’re ready to represent you in court if means recovering fair compensation.
5. Settlement or Verdict: Once a settlement is reached (or a verdict is issued), we ensure that all liens and bills are handled and you receive your compensation as quickly as possible.

Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Claim? Contact Huffman & Huffman Today

If you’re still wondering whether you should hire a lawyer, we encourage you to reach out to us for a free case review. Our attorneys will listen to your story, explain your options, and help you make the right decision without pressure.

We know that every case is personal. We treat our clients like family because that’s how we’d want to be treated. And we’ve helped thousands of Virginians recover millions in compensation after being hurt in a car wreck. We proudly serve clients across Virginia.