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Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

It can take weeks or even months to understand the full impact of your car accident. Lost wages, car repairs, and medical bills start to pile up — along with additional expenses you couldn’t have planned for. Having a lawyer by your side will ensure that these longer-term costs are taken into consideration when fighting for a fair insurance payout.

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Do I Have a Case?

Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula for determining whether or not you have a case. Only an experienced car accident attorney can make that determination after reviewing the circumstances of your accident. However, our team has put together some general guidance to help you decide.

If you meet the three criteria below, you should call an experienced law firm immediately. Our car accident lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & would be happy to talk through the specifics of your case in a free consultation. Contact us anytime and tell us your story!

A personal injury attorney can only help you if you suffered injuries as a result of your accident. If you were hurt in the collision, you may be able to collect the money you need to pay your medical bills and rehabilitation expenses.

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you might have a personal injury claim. If you don’t know whether you were at fault, review the accident report or contact the reporting officer. An attorney can also help you determine fault with a copy of the accident report.

Even if you believe that you may be partially to blame for the accident, it’s important to speak to an experienced attorney. In some cases, there may be multiple parties responsible for your accident and injuries. Your lawyer will investigate your accident to determine who the liable party is.

Most of the time, if you’ve already accepted a settlement offer from the insurance company, an attorney can’t help you. Before you sign any settlement documents, be sure to speak to a talented car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can review your case to help determine if you are receiving a fair settlement.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

If you are involved in a car accident, the steps you take immediately after the accident could significantly impact your ability to file a claim. Here are steps you should take after an accident.

Calling 911 right away ensures that police and emergency medical personnel come to the accident scene. Prompt medical care is necessary if someone has been seriously injured.

Ask the other driver to exchange car insurance information. You and your attorney will need this information to determine who pays for damages and begin the negotiations process. If the other driver is uninsured, be sure to obtain current contact information. And remember — don’t admit fault, even if you believe you are the responsible party!

If you aren’t injured, take photos of the accident scene and the damage to the vehicles. Take pictures of the intersection and any other helpful information, such as skid marks and other cars. Collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. This will be helpful to your attorney when establishing fault.

A police report is invaluable when determining liability after a crash. Without a police report, it becomes your word against the other driver’s,which makes collecting compensation far more difficult.

An attorney will protect your right to maximum compensation and ensure that you meet any critical deadlines for filing a claim. Without an attorney on your side, insurance companies might offer you a lowball settlement that is just a fraction of what you need to truly recover from your accident.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney After an Auto Accident?

After an accident, insurance companies gather information and work diligently to reduce your claim. Why? Because their main interest is in protecting their shareholders – not injured accident victims. To protect your right to compensation, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side.

When you secure strong representation, insurance companies won’t be able to offer you a lowball settlement. Our lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton will go toe-to-toe with major insurance companies to ensure you get the money you deserve.

You should hire an attorney after your accident to:

  • Ensure that you meet critical deadlines to file a claim.
  • Help you understand the full scope of damages.
  • Establish liability, even in complicated cases.
  • Navigate the liability laws in different states.
  • Shield you from financial losses.
  • Protect your rights against insurance companies.

Common Injuries and Long Term Effects of a Car Accident

Common Injuries

Car accident injuries can range from minor broken bones to severe traumatic brain injuries. Because insurance companies should cover the costs of healing, it’s important to grasp the full extent of your injuries. Here are the common ones to be aware of:

Long-Term Effects

Even a low-speed accident can cause a significant injury that can take weeks or even months to fully recover from. Soft tissue injuries, for example, can be difficult to diagnose after a car accident but can result in chronic pain if not treated quickly. They can make it difficult to work, enjoy life, and maintain relationships.

Some of the long-term effects of car accident injuries include:

  • Chronic pain
  • Decreased mobility
  • Decreased flexibility
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Medication dependency

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What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?

Injured accident victims may be eligible to collect compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. The driver responsible for the accident must pay these damages. While no two accident claims are identical, injured accident victims can seek compensation for:

After an accident, medical bills can be staggering. Ambulance rides, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation expenses, physical therapy, and medication costs can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars – even with insurance.

When an injury becomes chronic or you are left with a permanent disability, you may incur high medical expenses throughout your lifetime. A strong car accident attorney can make sure that this financial burden doesn’t fall on your shoulders.

During your recovery, you may miss substantial time at work, making it difficult to pay for your everyday living expenses. Receiving compensation for any lost wages is critical to help you get back on your feet after an accident.

If your injuries are permanent, you may have to change professions or be unable to return to work at all. When this occurs, the negligent driver is responsible for any future earnings you lose because of your injuries.

It can be difficult to put a number on your pain and suffering — but when your life has been irreparably changed, you should not have to bear that alone. After a devastating collision, you may be unable to pick up your children, walk your dog, or enjoy your regular hobbies. The “at-fault” driver should compensate you for the painful ordeal you went through and for your loss of enjoyment in life

The majority of injury accidents also result in significant property damage. You are often entitled to recover the difference between what your car was worth before the accident and what it was worth after the accident. The negligent party should also pay for your car repairs and for the use of a rental car.

Will I Have To Go To Court?

We’re sure that the last thing you want to do after an accident is lose time to a lengthy legal battle. Luckily, the majority of personal injury claims are resolved without ever having to go to trial. After all, trials are expensive and time-consuming for insurance companies as well.

Even though most claims are settled out of court, it’s important to choose a law firm that tackles each case as if it were going to trial. If the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to offer a fair settlement, then you should be able to rest assured knowing that aggressive, skilled litigation attorneys are representing you.

At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our personal injury attorneys can file your car accident claim and guide you through the entire legal process — from the discovery stage all the way to trial. We can help you present your claim to the insurance company in a way that will maximize your recovery from the start. If you do need to file a lawsuit, we’ll prepare your case to help you obtain maximum compensation without ever having to go to court.

Tips For Dealing With the Insurance Company

We would never advocate that you deal with the insurance company alone, but if you must, don’t sign anything until you’ve asked yourself three important questions:

If you can’t answer “yes” to all three of these questions, stop speaking with the insurance company immediately and give us a call.

Even if you believe that the insurance company’s settlement is fair and will cover your expenses, it’s best to speak to one of our lawyers before signing any settlement agreement. What happens when your injury doesn’t quite heal the way you anticipated or you begin to lose time at work because of chronic pain or disability? What if you need more money in the future to pay for revision surgery or to correct a complication

At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our Arkansas-based attorneys know that car accident injuries don’t always heal as expected. Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible, which leaves you fighting to recover without the money you need. We fight aggressively for our clients to get the money they deserve.

Get the Recovery You Deserve

After an accident, it’s difficult to know where to turn for help. Bills start to add up, paperwork becomes a burden, and insurance companies don’t have your best interest at heart. Thankfully, our team does.

We’ll help you navigate life after a car crash and stand up for your right to compensation. Our lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton work tirelessly to achieve favorable results for all of our clients, and we can handle any case — large or small.

With eight offices in Arkansas - Little Rock, Little Rock-Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro – our personal injury lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.

If you’re ready to pursue a life-changing settlement with a strong advocate by your side, reach out and tell us your story today.

We’re here to help.

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