When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Memphis
Perhaps you got into a serious car accident on the I-55? Or even a smaller road? In the aftermath of the accident, you may not know what to do or where to turn for help. You may find that insurance companies begin pressuring you to sign a quick settlement. Is this in your best interest, or is this a mistake? How do you know when to hire an attorney after a car accident?
The best way to know if you should hire an attorney after a car accident in Memphis is to speak to an experienced and skilled lawyer in a FREE initial consultation. If you suffered an injury or property damage in the crash, you could benefit from their services. In fact, you stand to gain substantially more compensation with a lawyer on your side.
Insurance companies know this. This is why they want you to sign quickly. They don’t want you to realize that a Memphis car accident attorney could help you. They don’t want you to call Rainwater, Holt & Sexton.
When to Call a Memphis Car Accident Lawyer
Every accident victim would benefit from talking to an experienced car crash attorney in a FREE initial consultation. However, there are some situations where calling an attorney is even more beneficial. If any of the following apply to your Memphis car accident case, contact a lawyer immediately:
- Any accident that causes an injury
- Any accident where liability is not established
- Any crash involving another party, such as a pedestrian, car driver, truck, or bicyclist
- Any accident that occurs in a school, construction, or work zone
- Any crash with a police report you disagree with
- Any car accident involving an underinsured or uninsured driver
- Anytime insurance companies are not giving you answers or refusing to discuss the case
- Anytime insurers begin pressuring you to sign a settlement quickly
When NOT to Call A Memphis Car Accident Lawyer
Since most car accident attorneys in Memphis offer a FREE initial consultation and review, you have nothing to lose when contacting them. Talk to them about your case and be honest about your injuries and damages. They can answer your questions and help you determine if hiring an attorney is in your best interest.
Some fender-benders, however, will not require you to work with an attorney. If the accident only caused minor property damage to just your vehicle or if you did not suffer any injury, then you might not need to contact an attorney.
For example, suppose you were driving down State Road 388 near Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park outside of Memphis. Suddenly a deer darts out in front of your car, clipping the front end of the vehicle before sprinting off. Your car suffered minor fender damage, but you did not get injured. In this scenario, you might not need the services of an experienced attorney.
Keep in mind that, depending on the circumstances, you might benefit significantly from legal representation even after a minor crash. The best way to determine if you should hire an attorney is to speak with one shortly after your car accident.
What to Look For When Hiring a Memphis Car Crash Attorney
When looking for a Memphis car accident attorney, it is essential to take your time so that you can choose the best one for your case. To make a list of attorneys that might be best for you, ask friends and family members for referrals, and look on the internet.
Once you have a list of attorneys that might be a good fit for you, set up a time to meet with them for a free consultation, this meeting will be your chance to interview them to see if they might be best suited to tackle your injury case.
When you meet with an attorney, here are some things to look for:
- Comfort level
- Ease of conversation
- Clarity when discussing legal issues
- Time to represent you and your case
- Clear fee structure
- Record of settling and trying car accident cases
- Recommendations and reviews
What to Provide Your Attorney
When you consider hiring an attorney to represent you, it is important to prepare for the meeting. Keep a file that you can bring with you to provide to your attorney. This file should include vital information about your case, including:
- Contact information
- Key facts about your case
- Pain journal or accident diary
- Police report copies
- Medical records
- Financial documents or medical receipts
- Photos of damage or accident scene
- Eyewitness information
- Insurance policy information
- At-fault party information
When to File a Car Accident Claim
Sometimes it is difficult to know what you need to do next after you suffer an injury in a car crash. Fortunately, your Memphis car accident lawyer will guide you through the process and help you determine the next steps.
In Tennessee, you must file a claim within one year after the date of the accident. This is known as the statute of limitations, and if you miss this deadline, you may not be able to file a future claim to seek compensation.
Your attorney will be able to keep track of this deadline and help you maximize your compensation. This often involves entering into lengthy and heated negotiations with the insurance company. They may not want to cooperate. Many insurance companies try to play hardball to reduce the amount of money they must pay you. Your attorney may need to take the next step and file a personal injury lawsuit when this happens.
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Memphis Car Accident
When you are injured, the last thing you want to tackle is the legalities of your case. Your time and energy are better spent on your recovery and rebuilding your life after a serious car accident. For this reason alone, hiring a lawyer is beneficial. They can take the legal burdens off your shoulders and reduce the anxiety and stress you feel after a crash.
The benefits of hiring a lawyer are numerous and include:
- Tackling the insurance company
- Filing necessary paperwork
- Not missing deadlines
- Increasing the compensation you receive
- Using their own resources to build your case
- Taking advantage of the vast network of connections, including accident reconstruction teams and medical experts
- Thorough investigations often result in identifying multiple parties
We’re There When You Need Us
If you got hurt in a Memphis car accident, you need a law firm on your side from the very beginning. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we are ready 24 hours a day to help injured accident victims throughout Memphis.
Our personal injury lawyers in Memphis, TN are easily accessible from the moment you need us. Contact Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Injury Lawyers today. Fill out a free contact request form, which only takes a minute, or simply dial (901) 888-8888 and tell us your story.