Car accidents are serious, but you may be wondering whether or not you need a car accident injury lawyer in San Antonio. The truth is, some accidents are so minor that they may not require a lawyer at all, such as simple fender benders when nobody is injured. However, there are other circumstances when you may need to hire a lawyer to help you with your case so you can get the conversation you deserve.
Seven Common Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Injury Lawyer in San Antonio
If you are searching for abogado de accidente de auto en San Antonio, then the chances are high that you need help with a car accident claim. Some common reasons to find a car accident lawyer include:
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1. You Had to Call the Police
One of the most common reasons you may want to speak with a car accident lawyer is if you had to call the police after an accident. Usually, it’s only necessary to call the police if there has been a serious injury, if a fatality has happened, if vehicles cannot be moved because they’re so badly damaged, or if a driver has left the scene.
If you had to call the police, then chances are your car accident may be a little more complicated than a simple insurance claim, and that may mean you need the expertise of a lawyer to help you reach a fair settlement for your damages.
2. If DUI Was Involved In the Accident
If you suspect that a DUI was involved in an accident, then you will need the help of a lawyer for your case. If the other driver was driving under the influence, then this means that they are likely more liable for the accident than you and they will need to pay compensation for your injuries and damages.
If you were the one driving under the influence, you will need the help of the defense lawyer to mitigate the negative consequences of driving while intoxicated and getting into a car accident, particularly if you or another person was seriously injured.
3. If Anyone Was Seriously Injured
If there were any serious injuries involved in the car accident, that can be another reason why you may want to contact a car accident lawyer. Serious injuries usually involve serious medical bills and ongoing treatments, and when these expenses pile up it can be difficult to cope with.
People seek compensation after car accidents specifically to pay for medical bills, so if you were seriously injured and did not cause an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and medical bills.
4. If You Are Being Held Responsible
Texas is a comparative negligence state, which means that the other driver can accuse you of being the cause of the accident. If you are being held responsible for the accident, then you will need the help of a lawyer to prove your percentage of liability in the accident. Comparative negligence is a doctrine that allocates a percentage of the total compensation for an accident to victims based on the degree of liability each driver has.
Drivers who are more responsible for the accident will have to pay more compensation, while drivers who are less responsible for the accident will receive more compensation. Comparative negligence lawsuits can quickly become very complicated, so having an experienced lawyer on your side makes the process much easier, particularly if your case advances to court.
5. If You Are Being Contacted
If you are being contacted by the other driver’s lawyer or the other driver’s insurance company, then you’ll need the representation of a lawyer to protect your interests. It’s not uncommon for drivers involved in an accident to be contacted by representatives for the other driver. However, you may need to be cautious about the contact since the representatives may be trying to get evidence from you that will hold you responsible for the accident.
If you have been contacted by another lawyer or another insurance company, it’s best to communicate that you have legal representation and forward the calls to your lawyer as soon as possible.
6. If You Are Offered a Settlement
When you have been contacted by an insurance company and you have been offered a settlement, this is another reason why you may need to hire a car accident injury lawyer in San Antonio. While an offer from the insurance company may seem like a fair settlement, many of these initial offers are low-ball estimations of the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. With a lawyer, the settlement offer can be negotiated so your compensation is fairer.
7. If You Don’t Have Insurance
If you or the other driver did not have insurance at the time of the accident, this is another reason why you will need to have a lawyer. In Texas, drivers are legally obligated to have liability insurance. If you do not have liability insurance, then you will have to pay the total compensation for an accident out of pocket, which can be extremely expensive if there is gross property damage or serious injuries. With the help of a lawyer, you may be able to listen to this financial burden through the legal process.
In many cases, if you have been in a recent car accident, then you will need to hire a car accident injury lawyer in San Antonio to help you navigate the complexities of your case. You will need to have a lawyer if you are being held responsible for the accident, if there have been any serious injuries, if either driver didn’t have insurance, if either driver was intoxicated, or if you are being contacted by another attorney or insurance company.Â