Naturally, it’s not necessary to call a lawyer every time you have a fender bender. The smaller the claim is, the less likely it is that you are to need a lawyer to resolve it. One of the reasons for this, of course, is that insurance companies are not likely to haggle nearly as hard when not much of their money at stake – instead, the priority is efficiency. In some cases, however, you could lose thousands of dollars or even more by failing to retain a lawyer to assist you.

Minor Injuries

You may have suffered only soft tissue injuries in the accident – a sprained wrist, cuts and bruises, mild to moderate “road rash” or minor burns. You should definitely seek immediate medical assistance, since some serious injuries are not apparent at first. Unless a serious injury surfaces, however, the value of your claim is likely to be small and you will have a lot less to lose by handling your claim on your own.

Serious Injuries

Serious injuries are a different story. A serious injury could mean traumatic brain injury, a concussion, compound bone fractures, loss of a limb, deep cuts requiring stitches, serious burns or bodily disfigurement. In this case you will need a top-tier personal injury lawyer to ensure that you receive full compensation, including compensation for future medical expenses. You are likely to receive far more by hiring a lawyer than you would have received on your own, even after you pay your lawyer.

Red Flags

You will be in particular need of a lawyer if your injuries are fairly serious and if:

• The insurance company or the other party is claiming that the accident was partly your fault, or if you reasonably anticipate such a claim being made.
• Your accident worsened a pre-existing injury (back problems, for example).
• You are not sure whether your injuries met the statutory standards that would allow you to exit
• Kentucky’s “no-fault” auto insurance system and file a claim directly against the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
• Your injuries caused you significant pain and suffering or lost wages.

Decisive Action Brings Results.

Pursuing a car accident claim is something like going to battle, even if your claim never makes it to court. We are veterans of that battle, and we won’t let anybody mess with you. If you were injured in a car accident, contact Glenn Martin Hammond Law Office, PLLC by calling (866) 448-7777 or by filling out our online contact form for a free consultation. We serve clients in the Lexington, Kentucky area including Cardinal Valley, Griffin Gate, Gratz Park and elsewhere.